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Dog Park Etiquette

Barbara Masi
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Dog Park Etiquette

Paws-itive Press

Dog Park Etiquette

By Barbara Masi

Many of us are using dog parks to exercise/socialize our dogs – when we don’t have a fenced in yard or play dates with other dogs on the block where we live.  They can be an awesome place for your dog to play as long as everyone is on the same page as to the “rules” of using a dog park.   People seem to think that it is an area for dogs to go wild and for the humans to allow misbehavior.  It is not.  Here are some guidelines for you when using a dog park – they are compiled from suggestions I have read online and from either friends or my own personal experience using dog parks. 

Wear appropriate clothing for going to a dog park – and don’t bring a purse.  Fanny packs or your pockets are good places for your keys, cell phone and whatever else you feel you need while at the park.  Cell phone should be used for emergencies only at a dog park – it is not the place to “chat” with friends. You need to be alert to what is going on at all times.  Don’t bring the latest novel to read. You should never turn your back on your dog and the activity that is occurring in the dog park. 

A few people who are unmannerly will ruin the experience for all – so watch that others are also attentive to their dogs and follow the rules – or leave and find another dog park or go back when that person has gone from the park.

Do not bring an unvaccinated dog or puppy to a dog park.  This encourages a rapid spread of disease which can sometimes be fatal.  Do not bring a sick dog to a dog park.  Bringing a female in heat is irresponsible, yet some people do not monitor their dogs for this.

Do not bring young children into the dog park.  You are there to be with the dog and other dogs can / may run and knock over the stroller or the child.  This is not the place to go to babysit.  Attention needs to be directed to your dog and the others he/she is playing with.  Also, children should not be playing soccer (or similar games) right outside the fence of the dog park.  This will encourage the dogs to run the fence line in order to join in on the game and may start a frenzy among the dogs inside the fence.

Don’t bring too many dogs.  Some dog parks have a limit on the number of dogs any one person can bring to a dog park.  Your dogs form a pack at your home and this pack mentality may continue at the dog park.  This may be detrimental to their interacting with the other dogs at the dog park and they may become aggressive as a pack.  Also, you cannot be two places at once, so do not bring a small dog for the small dog park and a large dog for the large one, unless you bring a family member or friend to sit in the other fenced area with the other dog.  Never leave a dog alone in the fenced area. 

Check to see that there are not an abundance of intact males in the dog park.  If you see quite a few, do not bring your dog in the park until the number is reduced to just a couple.

Observe the dogs already in the dog park before letting your dog loose among them.  Do not put small dogs in bigger dog pens, nor should you put larger dogs in smaller dog pens.  No matter how well the smaller dog gets along with bigger dogs (or vice versa) this is inviting disaster.  Make sure the dog park you go to has pens for various sizes of dogs – small, medium and large (or at least small and large).

When you enter the park, remember that a group of dogs may come to “greet” you and the newcomer.  This can be intimidating and may overwhelm the newcomer.  It may cause a skirmish as the new dog enters, so take it slow and easy.

If your dog digs a hole, fill it in.  If your dog poops, clean it up.  Supervise the dogs constantly and interrupt any rough play.  Make sure there is clean water available for the dogs to drink.  Beware of standing puddles of water at dog parks. Standing water breeds disease and a wide variety of parasites and their eggs.

If you are afraid of certain breeds of dogs, don’t go to a dog park.  Your nervousness and concerns may be transmitted to your dog, thus encouraging a confrontation which could wind up with a dog getting injured – either your dog or another one at the park.

Don’t bring highly sensitive dogs to a dog park where there are lots of dogs.  This atmosphere will overwhelm them.  The “rule of thumb” is no more than 2 dogs per every 20 yards of space.  But you still may overwhelm a sensitive dog, and it is highly recommended that you make play dates with friends with like dogs in the yard at home rather than force a sensitive dog into a dog park situation.

Do not bring toys or treats to a dog park.  These are two things that can / might create a disturbance and encourage possessiveness by your dog.  If someone else is in the park with a toy or treats, wait until they leave if you feel that a situation might arise.  (This also applies to snacks for you while at the dog park – eat before you go or afterwards – not while at the dog park).

Don’t let a dog off lead in a dog park if he/she is not responsive to verbal commands.  Dogs should be taught the elementary commands before they are permitted to interact in this type of community.  (Training should be done to have a well-mannered dog in any circumstance.)  Dogs taken to a Dog Park should have a very strong Recall.  Train them to Come when called.  Train them to Leave It! DO NOT let dogs smell feces on the ground that may be loaded with worms and worm eggs.

If your dog is being bullied by another dog (or dogs) remove him/her from the dog park.  Conversely, if your dog is doing the bullying, take him/her away from the dog park. 

When at a dog park, there is a lot of advice passed from person to person.  Use discretion as to what you absorb as these are dog owners and not professionals.  If you need advice, go to a professional dog trainer with your questions

Watch for dog body posture or communication signals – on your dog and on the others in the park.  Dogs can give a warning that something is “wrong” and you may be able to stop it before it escalates if you observe the body language for stress, fear, and tension as well as that which occurs for play and enjoyment.  Know when your intervention is required and when the dogs are able to handle the situation on their own.

When you take your dog to a dog park you need to be aware that there are certain risks involved regarding injury to your dog or that he/she may injure another dog at the park.  Be vigilant – be careful and you and your dog will be able to enjoy the time you spend together at the dog park.

There are some dog parks in areas of the country that allow you to “rent” the park for an hour — perhaps one day a week.  There are groups of dog owners (some breed specific) that will rent the park for their select group of dogs that are well mannered and play well together.  It is an ideal way to enjoy the dog park if you are lucky enough to have this available in your area of the country.  The dogs get used to their set of friends and are able to play without stress.  The introduction of new friends is controlled by the person renting the space for that period of time.  Request information on this at your local dog park if you are interested in or feel better with this type of interaction for your dog.

The Best Three Exercises to get you Beach Ready

Cheryl Alker
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The Best Three Exercises to get you Beach Ready

Health and Fitness

The Best Three Exercises to get you Beach Ready

By Cheryl Alker

So you could not possibly have failed to notice that the temperature is starting to rise and, believe it or not, the children will soon be breaking up for school which means one thing; your body is going to be exposed! This is the time of year when we hit the beach, take up water sports and go on vacation. So for whatever reason, there is no doubt about it summer means less clothes and often more outdoor activity.

One of the biggest keys to getting in shape for summer is starting before it hits! It is right around the corner, so don’t wait till June 1st to decide that it is time to get in shape, to be ready the work has to be put in now.

One of the biggest excuses I hear from people for not working out regularly is a nasty four letter word ……. TIME!

Believe you me, I get it. So with this in mind I am giving you 3 exercises that should target all the major areas of your body, yes you read correctly, just THREE.  Do these every day and that beach body will be ready to hit the waves!

THE PUSH UP

Place your hands firmly on the ground, directly under shoulders.

Ground your toes into the floor to stabilize your lower half.

Brace your core (tighten your abs as if preparing to take a punch), engage your glutes and hamstrings, and flatten your back so your entire body is neutral and straight.

Lower your body.

Begin to lower your body—keeping your back flat and eyes focused about three feet in front of you to keep a neutral neck—until your chest grazes the floor. Don’t let your butt dip or stick out at any point during the move; your body should remain in a straight line from head to toe. Draw shoulder blades back and down, keeping elbows tucked close to your body (don’t “T” your arms).

Push back up.

Keeping your core engaged, exhale as you push back to the starting position.

Imagine you are screwing your hands into the ground as you push back up. 

Repeat for 10 to 20 reps or as many as can be performed with good form.

THE SQUAT

The setup for the squat is incredibly simple. Stand with your feet slightly wider than your hips. Your toes should be pointed slightly outward – about 5 to 20 degrees outward.

Look straight ahead and pick a spot on the wall in front of you. You’ll want to look at this spot the entire time you squat, not looking down at the floor or up at the ceiling.

For a bodyweight squat put your arms straight out in front of you, parallel to the ground.

Keep your spine in a neutral position.

Your weight should be on the heels and balls of your feet as if you were pasted to the ground. You should be able to wiggle your toes the entire movement.

Send your hips backwards as your knees begin to bend.  It’s important that you start with your hips back, and not by bending your knees.

Keep looking straight ahead at that spot on the wall.

As you squat down focus on keeping your knees in line with your feet. Do not drop your buttocks lower than your knee joint.

Push back up to standing

THE PLANK

The plank is one of the best exercises you can do for your core because it builds isometric strength to help sculpt your waistline and improve your posture.

Depending on the type of plank you try, you can also engage your back, arms, shoulders, glutes, and hamstrings.

This is what most people consider to be a standard plank.

Lie facedown with legs extended and elbows bent and directly under shoulders; clasp your hands.

Feet should be hip-width apart, and elbows should be shoulder-width apart.

Contract your abdominals.

Tuck your toes to lift your body (forearms remain on the ground); you should be in a straight line from head to heels.

Hold for 60 seconds or as long as you can.

Certain About the Uncertainty

admin
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Certain About the Uncertainty

Teen Talk

Certain About the Uncertainty      

By Mikayla Carroll

A question I’ve been hearing more and more of lately: “Where are you going to college?” These days, when I’m attending any sort of family gathering, I wait in anticipation for the first question like this. As I come to a close of the spring of my junior year, I ask myself that same question on a daily basis, only because I’m one of the ones that don’t have it figured out yet.

I think that’s the misconception; that I believe everyone who isn’t me already has their life together, in that sense. I imagine the universal “they” as your typical high schooler. I imagine they already have their heart set on the perfect school with their desired major. They’ve got the test scores and the GPA to make it there. They know what city they want to live in, they know if they can afford to live there, and they’ve long applied for the scholarships to make sure they can; all things I have yet to truly delve into.

The truth is, I believe most of us high school juniors are wandering aimlessly through these last few remaining months, knowing that we’re about to spend possibly our last summer at home, dreading that college application deadlines are much closer than they appear.

But when I’m presented with that question, that “where are you going to college?” question, I usually improvise on the spot. I entertain the thought of staying in-state for the most part, and I name-drop a few relatively well-known state schools that I may have researched a bit online or heard good things about. This is because, as of now, my college search consists of watching virtual college tours and reading up on the “top 100 journalism schools.” I usually feel that the asker of the question isn’t satisfied with my answer, or my indecisiveness.

I also am keenly aware of the slight disapproval that comes when I tell an adult I’d like to study journalism. These are usually the prescriptivist people who like to tell me that print media is dying, and that journalists twist words, and that there’s no money in that career unless you strike fame. On another note, most people assume that journalism itself is vanishing. It’s not by any means. It’s simply changing. As for me, growing up with technology has only prepared my current high school student self for a future in journalism.

Even with all this uncertainty about my future, I find it more exciting than anything. Somehow I find it comforting that in two years everything around me could be different, from where I’m living, to the people I’m surrounded by. The unpredictability is likely the biggest motivator for me these days, as motivation is hard to come by in this final stretch.

As I watch my senior friends finish out their final weeks in high school, I find myself wishing I was in their situation: counting down the days till moving day, until my first day of university. But then the sensible part of me shuts down the daydreaming and I’m reminded that I should probably be studying to improve my SAT score or something of that nature. Until I find that place I’m looking for, I’ll stay going through the motions, trying to make the best of it along the way.

Is Cardio Useless? Your Brain Says No

Jonathon Chung
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Is Cardio Useless? Your Brain Says No

Ask the Docs

Is Cardio Useless? Your Brain Says No

By Dr. Jonathan Chung

As of the timing of this post, I consider myself primarily a weightlifter when it comes to fitness. If you follow my social media posts on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook you’ll mainly see photos and videos of squats, snatches, cleans, and other movements that involve heavy barbells.

A popular trend in fitness is to condemn forms of exercise called steady-state cardio, which is your classic endurance exercise like long distance running, rowing, cycling, etc. Critics will say steady-state cardio is ineffective for putting on muscle mass and strength as well as a negligible effect on weight loss so it should be discarded as a form of exercise.

Whenever gym bros start talking about cardio

All of those things are pretty accurate. Cardiovascular exercise has a marginal effect on strength and hypertrophy, and in the absence of diet no form of exercise really promotes weight loss. But this doesn’t mean that cardiovascular exercise is useless. The effect that cardiovascular exercise has on your brain can be life changing.

Cardio and Neurogenesis

Neurogenesis is a term that scientists use to describe the growth of new neurons. For decades it was a widely held belief that all of the brain cells you are born with are the ones that you will have forever. In more recent years, scientists have identified parts of the brain that do produce new brain cells on a regular basis……just a lot more slowly than something like your skin.

One particular region in the brain that is well known to undergo neurogenesis is called the hippocampus.

This little chunk of brain is one of the few areas that can produce new neurons regularly.

The hippocampus is a piece of our brain that is associated with the formation of memories and in learning. It’s been well established in rat studies that neurogenesis happens in this part of the brain, and exercise enhances this process. But that’s just a rat study. Does this actually happen in humans?

While we can’t put humans on a treadmill for 30 minutes and cut out their hippocampus, there are studies that imply that neurogenesis happens in humans after cardiovascular exercise too. These studies have showed that exercise improves memory scores, increases the size of the hippocampus, and produces higher amounts of brain derived neurotrophic factor which is the chemical compound associated with neurogenesis.

That’s pretty amazing stuff! This is the type of stuff that helps to explain why people that exercise regularly have a lower risk of dementia. It also helps us understand how exercise can help combat things like ADHD and other brain related disorders.

Does Weight Training Have the Same Impact?

Scientists who did the study on rat brains found that aerobic exercise had double the amount of neurogenesis as sedentary rats. They also found that rats who did resistance exercise had very little effect on the rat brains, even though the rats got physically stronger. 

Now we have to take that with a grain of salt because:

  1. Rats aren’t people.
  2. The way that the scientists “strength trained” the rats is by tying a weight on their tails and making them climb with it. Not a terribly good comparison to men and women who voluntarily lift weights recreationally.The biggest take away from this study is the way that aerobic exercise seems to pump up that brain derived neurotrophic factor which may be a key to making your brain grow and heal.

While the effects of weightlifting on neurogenesis hasn’t been studied yet, there is compelling evidence that suggests weight training is beneficial in people with early stages of memory loss. Resistance training has been shown to improve general cognitive performance, improve blood flow to memory areas of the brain, and save seniors with memory problems money.

All Exercise Is Beneficial

At the end of the day, all kinds of exercise is beneficial for different reasons. We have developed a stronger understanding for how cardio can benefit the brain, and there is data that shows that weight training also gives the brain a boost.

There’s no need to shame someone’s exercise of choice. There are so many people that don’t move at all, that anything that a person can do to be active and move regularly will provide them a substantial benefit.

Now if you’re a fitness junkie already, then taking a balanced approach and incorporating something you usually avoid is a great recipe to get the maximum benefits of exercise.

If you are someone that lifts weights 4 days a week without fail, then maybe taking a 2 mile run or row would be a great addition to your weekly regiment. If you run daily and never do strength, then you should definitely look into resistance training to supplement your cardiovascular fitness.

Your brain thrives on exposure to new things. Beyond some nice looking muscles and better heart health, the biggest benefit of exercise is making your brain better.

Hands-on Training

Melanie Lewis
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Hands-on Training

Mommy Moments

Hands-on training

By Melanie Lewis

If my kids are an example of the ability to perform basic life skills, they would perish without parents. Resourceful “Box Car Children” they are not. Recently I heard a news story on NPR about college age kids taking “adulting” classes. Classes about common things; changing a tire, balancing a checkbook, making hardboiled eggs amongst other sundry mundane tasks. Seems ridiculous, but at 11 and 13 it’s time for my kids to get cracking.
While going through a stack of papers I ran across this list in the ” Homesteader” magazine of Age-appropriate chores: Ok so we start adulting classes because training is involved even at the 6-8 year level. Help with yard work when your neighbor asks for extra hands working in their yard. Raking correctly and finding a way of picking up debris required a level of instruction proven by constant repetition. Aliens landed in my yard shown in the crop circle created from kids’ mowing! But I didn’t run right out to fix or say bad job.
Many other moms I asked felt as though they were always having to redo the tasks; load dishwasher, sort clothes, sweep floors, etc. because they weren’t performed up to scratch. But from the book, “The Gift of Failure”, by Jessica Lahey, kids will learn from the missteps like dishes coming out gritty or clothes turning pink in doing the job. Anybody learning knows that there will be bumps along the way.

May Mayor’s Column

Anne Gerwig
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May Mayor’s Column

Mayor’s Column

May

By Mayor Anne Gerwig

Spring is a busy time around Wellington. It is difficult to believe summer is just around the corner.

My fellow Councilmembers and I have just held the 2017 Directions Workshop on March 31st.  We discussed a broad range of topics, including redevelopment and sustainability within the Village, community improvement strategies, and planning for the impacts of growth outside of the Village. Workshops are one of the ways Council sets goals for the upcoming year and beyond. As part of the discussion, Council participated in a community tour visiting and talking with our residents to ask for their input. However, the conversation continues as we develop the FY 2017-2018 Budget.  We are finding ways to fund programs and incentives to keep Wellington a Great Hometown. Visit our website wellingtonfl.gov/2017workshop to view this year’s presentation.

While we are on the subject of the Village’s budget, here is an update of a few capital improvement projects budgeted for this year.

  • Big Blue Trace/Barberry: Survey and design work is currently underway.  Construction is scheduled to start in July 2017.  
  • Big Blue Trace/Wiltshire: Survey and design work is currently underway.  Construction is scheduled to start in July 2017.  
  • Hawthorne Neighborhood Park Project: Construction anticipated to be completed in May 2017. 
  • Dorchester Park Observation Platform: The project is currently in the design and permitting phase.  Construction is scheduled to start in July 2017.  
  • For a complete list of our capital improvement projects taking place around Wellington, please click this link: Capital Improvement Projects

Spring is in full swing and there is no shortage of exciting things to do around town. Take the family and enjoy the sunshine at one of our great neighborhood parks or catch a family-friendly movie at the Amphitheater. Speaking of the Amphitheater, Food Trucks are still rolling in every Thursday through May 21st. Starting in June, the Food Trucks will be scheduled on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month.

Schools let out for the summer on June 2nd. If you are looking for fun, safe activities for your kids, consider the Summer Camp program offered by Parks & Recreation.  Summer Camp operates in week long segments and takes place at Village Park and the Aquatics Complex, and runs from June to the middle of August.  From sporting events, to arts and crafts, to movies, swimming, games and more, there is something for everyone to enjoy.  Registration is open at Village Park, and more information can be found on our website. Summer Camp activities are designed for children from five to fifteen and some scholarships are available.

We offer a wide variety of camps, academies, and classes for kids, teens, adults, and seniors.  Some of these are circus arts, sports, cheerleading, gymnastics, martial arts, and fitness classes.  To find more information, look for the Summer Program Guide online at www.wellingtonfl.gov, under Parks & Recreation.

This month, we also remember and honor the men and women who died while serving in our armed forces defending our nation. Memorial Day is more than a day off from work. Memorial Day is the day we remember all of our fallen service men and women.  Traditionally starting summer, Memorial Day also is a solemn day on which we pay tribute to those who sacrificed so much for our country. 

Our Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony takes place on Monday, May 29th.  The parade begins at 8:15 am at the Village Hall parking area and makes its way east along Forest Hill Boulevard. The parade ends at Wellington’s Veterans Memorial located on the corner of Forest Hill Boulevard and Southshore Boulevard and will be followed at 8:30am by the Memorial Day Ceremony. 

We thank all the members of our armed services and their families for their sacrifices, courage, and dedication. We salute you, not just today, but each and every day of the year. We extend our heartfelt appreciation for all your service to this great nation.

Finally, I want to remember all of our mothers. To all those strong women who have nurtured us, taught us, cared for us, and loved us, on behalf of Council and me, we wish you a Happy Mother’s Day.

I look forward to seeing you around the Village this summer, enjoying our Great Hometown. 

5 Simple Products to Help You Save Money and Energy at Home

Jathy Garcia
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5 Simple Products to Help You Save Money and Energy at Home

Living Green

5 Simple Products to Help You Save Money and Energy at Home  

By Jathy Garcia

Everyone loves to save money, but not everyone thinks about exactly how they can do that at home. Of course we all know the basics: take shorter showers, recycle, turn the sink off when brushing your teeth, and so on. However, not everyone knows about the new and improved products available on the market today that can potentially save them 50% or more on their water, gas, and energy bills! While these upgrades will cost you a bit upfront, the savings gained in the long-run are more than worth it. Below are some of Hi-Tech Plumbing & Air’s favorite products that can make your home more energy efficient and save you tons.  

  1. Fiberglass Insulation

Having the right insulation in your home is incredibly important, especially in South Florida. Insulation keeps the cool air in during those hot and humid summer days, ensuring that your house remains at a comfortable temperature. It’s essential to have your entire home, including the attic, properly insulated to ensure you’re keeping all that cool air inside. This helps to prevent overusing your air conditioner by utilizing the “auto” setting which lets you choose your ideal temperature and only turns on the unit when your home fluctuates. For the most cost-effective, energy-efficient, and eco-friendly option, Hi-Tech Plumbing & Air recommends Owens Corning’s PINK® EcoTouch® FIBERGLAS™ Insulation with PureFiber® Technology. For more information on these products and fiberglass insulation in general, click here or call to speak to our dispatch department to setup a no-obligation appointment. 

  1. Energy Recovery Ventilation System

An energy recovery ventilation (ERV) system is a fantastic way to save, especially in South Florida. While insulation helps to keep the cool air in, an ERV system pulls fresh air from outside, filters it, and then releases it into the home while expelling stale, humid air outside. Essentially, all an ERV system does is help to ensure the moisture levels in your home are at proper level, which keeps the air in your home fresh and the people in your home healthy!  This is especially important if anyone in your home is asthmatic or has extreme allergies. An ERV system can also help you save money by controlling your home’s ventilation and minimizing energy loss. 

Ultra Aire whole house ventilating dehumidifiers- replace section above ERV to Dehumidfier  

  1. TanklessOr Hybrid Water Heater 

Changing your water heater from a conventional tank to an on demand tankless or hybrid water heater can make a huge difference in your water heating costs.  

With a tankless water heater, the water isn’t kept constantly hot in a tank like the conventional system. This makes a huge difference in the amount of energy your home is using and can cut your bill up to 50%! On top of that, you may be eligible to earn a sizable tax rebate—good to know with tax season right around the corner. For more information on how tankless water heaters work and how they can help you save, check out our Top 5 Reasons To Own A Tankless Water Heater post.  

Hybrid water heaters work just like a refrigerator, except with the opposite result. Hybrid water heaters use the warm air around them to heat the water, making it extremely energy and cost efficient. The best part about getting a hybrid water heater is that they come with additional state and utility rebates, incentives, and tax credits. At Hi-Tech Plumbing & Air, we recommend the Rheem Hybrid Water Heater. This hybrid water heater can help reduce your home’s carbon footprint by nearly two tons every year. The average annual operating cost for a Rheem Hybrid Water Heater is between $255 and $280, less than half the country’s average.  

  1. Eco-Friendly Toilet

Eco-friendly toilets use less water than traditional toilets which can drastically decrease your water bill, especially if you have a large family. At Hi-Tech Plumbing & Air, we make the toilet replacement process as easy as possible for you by delivering and installing your new toilet, and even hauling away and recycling your old one. While installing your new eco-friendly toilet, our talented technicians go above and beyond by replacing the wax ring, checking and replacing the toilet flange if necessary, and inspecting the new eco-friendly toilet to make sure everything is working optimally.  

  1. Newer AC Unit

Did you know that your air conditioning unit could be stealing your money? Over the last decade, companies have drastically improved their use of technology with regards to home appliances. This new technology has provided better and more cost effective ways to help you save money and energy. In fact, new AC units can reduce your energy consumption by 25-40%, especially if your current unit is over ten years old. New units can be costly, but your lowered energy bill will more than make up for the expense.  

Whether you’re an environmentalist or a savings enthusiast, all of the previously mentioned products can help you be both! At High-Tech Plumbing & Air, it’s our pleasure to ensure that you are making the best and most informed decisions for your home and family. Call Hi-Tech Plumbing & Air today to speak with a live representative or request an estimate at 561-790-6966.  

You Only Roast the People You Love

Wendell Abern
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You Only Roast the People You Love

Cantankerously Yours

You Only Roast the People You Love

By Wendell Abern

Dear Readers,

I am a member of a highly unusual “fraternity:” a 72-year old poker game.

        When we were all ten and eleven years old, my mother taught us how to play one rainy May afternoon. There were nine charter members, six still alive. We all went to college and received degrees, six of us from the University of Illinois.

        Remarkably, we chose nine different careers: One doctor, one dentist, one lawyer, one teacher, one CPA, three guys who ran their own successful businesses, and me. I wrote advertising. We were all born and grew up Jewish. One bachelor, eight of us married, all with kids and grandkids. Not one divorce. We played poker together every month from 1943 through 2015, with few exceptions.

        Truly, a group that deserves the moniker, “highly unusual.”

        Years ago, after a few of us had watched some televised Friar’s Roasts, we decided a roast was a great way to spend an evening together with our wives, while victimizing each other mercilessly.

        Obviously, with such a tightly-knit group, everyone knows exactly what buttons to push whenever we decide to roast a member. We all have game-playing idiosyncrasies worthy of attack.

        For example, when I was about twelve, I decided God was a woman, and started referring to her as Margaret. I suspect I did this primarily to annoy my mother, who refused to accept my budding agnosticism,

        During poker games, I would pray to Margaret while the dealer doled out cards. Dennis whistled whenever he received a bad card. Lou frowned whenever he drew a good one. As we grew older, we gained weight, lost hair, and went through other metamorphoses that made us perfect targets for sniping.

        Because these roasts were great fun, I have decided to share them with you. However, there were seven in all, and because of limited space, I can only undertake a few in each issue. For May, our anniversary month, I will describe only my own roast and Jerry’s.

        Jerry makes a wonderful subject, because he has been overweight his entire life, became bald at the age of 20, and looks eerily like Rodney Dangerfield’s twin.

        As for my attributes, I am short. Although I didn’t grow up short. In fact, I was the height I am now when I graduated grammar school. During high school, everyone shot up above me, and I didn’t even think of myself as short until our senior year, when Jerry said, “So who you taking to the prom, a Munchkin?”

        Jerry didn’t lead off my roast. He considered himself the “clean-up hitter” and went last.

        At my 60th birthday surprise party-roast, Bennie led off by recounting a completely fabricated romantic evening between Carol (my wife) and me.

        “Wendell was feeling amorous one night, and after a candlelight dinner he had prepared with elaborate care, he led Carol to the bedroom for a beautiful after-dinner interlude.

        “Later, while propped up against the headboard, he noticed Carol’s frown and angrily-crossed arms.

        “’What’s wrong?” he asked.

        “’I’ll tell you what’s wrong as soon as you explain who this Margaret is that you keep yelling about!’”

        Jerry wasted no time when it came to his turn. He drew a folded-up newspaper article from his inside jacket and said, “Wendell, great news for you! I  have here an article from the Chicago Sun-Times, dated November 20th, 1993. It is headlined, ‘Dwarf-tossing Ruled Illegal.’”

        He then read the short article, which described how some raucous idiots had been using dwarfs as bowling balls. (And yes, readers, that actually did occur.)

        The other guys poked fun at my height also, along with my handy-man uselessness.

        But because Jerry had needled all of us our whole lives, we couldn’t wait to hold him over the spit, which finally occurred on his 65th birthday.

        Shel opened with, “He has no sense of decorum, He goes to Temple wearing no socks. Can you imagine, no socks? Last month, the rabbi said to him, ‘Vot, you couldn’t find a pair socks to vear for Shabbas?’ Jerry bought a pair at a garage sale, just to wear to Temple.

        “But he has no sense of decorum at all. Take those Friday nights after Shabbas services, when everyone is gathered at the back of the Temple. His wife, Lois, is always surrounded by a bunch of friends, kibitzing away, and every two minutes Jerry runs by and yells out, ‘Who’s your daddy?’ No sense of decorum at all.”

        I started out by noting that the first time I met Jerry, we were both ten years old and he had already begun his lifelong diet.

        “But I have some good news for you, too! At our last poker game, I counted nine hairs on your head! That means a new one has grown! But until your new hair supplement kicks in, you’re going to continue looking like the hood ornament on a Dodge truck.

        “Now, Jerry, I’d like to talk about this new exercise program you have been on for the past year and-a-half. How’s that workin’ for you? Please tell that oufit’s management I have created a new slogan for them: ‘Only 30 minutes a day on our treadmill, and you can have a tummy the size of West Virginia!’”

        Arthur finished the roast by saying, “I’d like to ask everyone to sympathize with his long-suffering wife, Lois. Last year, I told Jerry the only thing I don’t like about our poker games is that I come home reeking with the cigars you guys smoke. Judy makes me take a shower before I come to bed. Jerry said, ‘That’s because you don’t know how to handle your wife. When I come home, I make Lois get up and take a shower.’”

        Great fun was had by all. Which it always is at such events, because the truth is, you only roast the people you love.

Cantankerously Yours,

Wendell Abern

Magnanimous Magnesium

Sabeen Faquir
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Magnanimous Magnesium

Natural Insight

Magnanimous Magnesium

By Sabeen Faquir

After dinner sometimes, I indulge in a small sweet snack. Generally, a piece of low-sugar dark chocolate. One evening, however, I gave myself access to some high-sugar milk chocolate. I had a mini snickers bar, then another. Some time later, I ate a caramel Cadbury egg. And then, believe it or not, a slice of chocolate-swirl cheesecake! Now, while my indulgences were spaced out, it was an excessive amount of sugar to consume in one evening.

It begged the question – why was I craving so much sugar? Truly, as a woman, it could be for a number of reasons. So, I took to the internet. I searched terms like “sugar cravings” and found that, among many possibilities, I could be lacking minerals. I found in particular, chocolate cravings point to a magnesium deficiency. But, without the diagnosis of a doctor, my sugary-chocolate ridden night remains a mystery. However, it brings up an important topic: magnesium deficiency.

If you follow health-news, you may have come across the now well-known fact that magnesium plays a part in over 300 enzymatic reactions. But, that’s all researchers seem to confer. Which reactions? Or, at least, which reactions have been found to be most significant, thus far? Can they narrow it down, PLEASE?

Popularly, magnesium is used to help with increasing bone density, or in the immediate sense, as a laxative. But, did you know it also has uses for heart disease and depression? Because of its nature in physiology, magnesium effects nerve function and muscle contractions and relaxations, including that of the heart (Jahnen-Dechen and Ketteler, 2012). Magnesium is also integral for energy metabolism and protein synthesis (Abraham and Schellack, 2016).

And, one randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found that 500 mg of oral magnesium oxide for approximately 8 weeks or over, by depressed patients suffering from magnesium deficiency, lead to improvements in depression and magnesium levels (Rajizadeh et al, 2017).

Always remember to talk to a health professional before beginning any supplement regimen. This is because supplements sometimes interfere with the mechanisms of medications. Also, supplementation may aggravate some existing conditions. So, always remember to consult a doctor, physician assistant, pharmacist, or nurse before starting any supplement.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure disease.

Sources:

Jahnen-Dechent, Wilhelm; Ketteler, Markus. Magnesium basics. Clinical kidney journal. 2012. Feb;5(Suppl 1):i3-i14.

Abraham, Veena; Schellack, Natalie. The benefits of magnesium:OTC products. Professional Nursing Today. 2016. Volume 20. Issue 3. p. 17 – 19

Rajizadeh, Afsaneh, M.Sc.; Mozaffari-Khosravi, Hassan, Ph.D; Yassini-Ardakani, Mojtaba M.D.; Dehghani, Ali, Ph.D. Effect of magnesium supplementation on depression status in depressed patients with magnesium deficiency: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Nutrition. 2017. Volume 35, Pages 56–60

Ideas Worth Spreading

LoriB
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Ideas Worth Spreading

AW Stories of the Month

Ideas Worth Spreading

By Lori Hope Baumel

Photo Collage by LH Baumel
“I wanted them to learn about the grit and perseverance that it took to grow the germ of an idea through editing, drafting, re-drafting and rehearsal into an eloquent piece of oratory. I wanted them to believe that their ‘ideas worth spreading’ were every bit as worthy of taking the stage as the Emmy award winning artists and journalists with whom they would share the stage.”

– Dr. Christina James, Academic Dean at The Benjamin School

The Benjamin Middle School in North Palm Beach has a commitment to honoring creativity, diversity, project-based learning, 21st century skills, and sharing ideas. Based on this premise, the middle school presented a TEDx Talk event in their Barker Performing Arts Center on March 24, 2017. The theme for the event was Muthos, which is the Greek word for public authoritative speaking that has the power to effect change. The event featured numerous talks, some given by students and others by elite guest speakers.

Dr. Christina James developed a curriculum for her students to both understand the TEDx platform and develop their own TEDx talks. She wanted them to find a story deep within themselves that they most wanted to tell. As a result, the day was truly a celebration of the voices of middle school writers and orators. 27 students spoke on subjects that ranged from having big hair, living with the eye condition Nystagmus, and sharing a name with the actress Michelle Pfeiffer.

Guest speakers included:

  • John Hockenberry, the Emmy/Peabody award-winning journalist and host of the NPR news show The Takeaway who, despite being in a wheelchair since age 19, has been a foreign correspondent for both The New York Times and The Washington Post.
  • Alison Hockenberry, award-winning journalist for ABC News and producer for Freakonomics and NPR’s Tell Me Something I Don’t Know.
  • Laurie Coots, CEO of The Hawn Foundation and Mindup, the mindfulness program for children that teaches them about the functions of the brain and how to moderate their own behavior.
  • Cynthia Lowen, the writer and director of the documentary Bully (2011) and Netizens (2016), a film about the lack of legislation to protect women from cyber-stalking.
  • Steve Caras, former NYC Ballet dancer under Balanchine, dance photographer and subject of the PBS documentary, Steven Caras: See Them Dance.
  • Tina Reine, a business executive who, in her 40’s, decided to become an aerialist. Marlo Thomas featured Reine in her book about 60 formidable women, It Ain’t Over ‘Till It’s Over.
  • Ashley C. Harris, a filmmaker and young adult author of the novel Troll.
  • Nathan Ginnetty, a career teacher and professional songwriter who spoke about his journey as a musician and educator.

Each and every student demonstrated articulation and courage. A highlight of the event was an oratory given by Meyer Academy student Benji Gans, who, through the efforts of his parents, teachers and mentors had overcome some of the many trials and tribulations of autism. I urge you to take a moment to look over the program and read the names of the participants and their subjects.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During intermission, I asked John Hockenberry what unique message he would like the audience to take away from his speech. He responded:

“We’re living at the end of the age of celebrity and, sort of, ‘top down’ politics and the kinds of things where we decide our identities based on what’s happening through institutions that are way above us. I think this is the moment of local power and locals connecting together. Our community, our democracy, our institutions are going to be rebuilt from the bottom up… and I think it’s THAT lesson and learning to use those tools that’s going to bring a positive outcome to this century.”

– John Hockenberry

Laurie Coots                                                                               Photo: Debby Gans

Upon projecting a photo of a fingerprint onto the screen above her, guest speaker Laurie Coots stated, “We are all unique, we all have our own DNA… and we should spend more time developing our own voice, one that is authentic. What do you value or love?” She highlighted studies that labels fear of public speaking as the first of the “top three” fears (followed by fear of heights and fear of snakes). Coots went on to discuss body language and tone of voice. She continued, “Breathe, don’t be afraid of awkward silence – check in with your audience. The audience will see the value in what you think. The ability to speak publicly will increase your value by 100%.”

The most surprising presentation of the day was that of Tina Reine, a businesswoman who as a child suffered many medical problems. She explained that when life presented challenges, she would go into her bedroom and dance to upbeat tunes. Reine noted that dancing was therapeutic and guided her through difficult times. As an adult, she never forgot the happiness that dancing brought her. At 43, inspired by Cirque du Soleil, she decided to become an aerialist (a term, quite frankly, I had never heard of). Just when we thought her oratory was over, she snuck backstage. The curtain went up, music was cued and Reine proceeded to demonstrate her stunning acrobatic skills on a rope of white fabric. The audience was astonished. In Tina’s bio she states that her goal is to use aerials to inspire others to be courageous in mind and body and to “fly” in ways they never imagined.

Tina Reine                                                                                  Photo: Debby Gans

Muthos at The Benjamin School was more than a lesson in courage. It taught me that hope overcomes fear and that determination creates opportunities at any age.

Live… Go… Do!

To view a photo slide show of MUTHOS go to:

https://youtu.be/qk9JpojyAhE

For more photos, student profiles and information about the event go to:

https://www.facebook.com/tedxthebenjaminschool/

https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/20209

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