New Program at the JCC Promises Better Balance for Seniors
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For seniors, the biggest challenge to maintaining an independent lifestyle is falling. In fact, falls are the fifth leading cause of death for adults aged 65 years and older. "One out of three older people falls each year. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention "Falling once doubles your chances of falling again."
Now, a unique new movement program focuses exclusively on this all-important issue. "Balance 'n Mobility" is the brainchild of Deirdre Pachon, who has been teaching exercise to seniors for over 30 years while continuously refining her skills and following the latest research. A certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor, Deirdre recognized that most senior fitness classes do not devote enough time, attention, and expertise to developing the skills that help prevent falls. Her program is already producing positive effects among her clients, as long as they follow her last crucial instruction: practice, practice, and practice some more!
Contrary to popular opinion, research shows that conventional walking is not the best way to protect against a fall. Instead, try what Deirdre calls "Pattern-Walking"--sequences of multi-directional step patterns that increase in complexity and repetition. For example, you may step wide then narrow across front and back while consistently traveling in a forward direction. These movement patterns are performed on a long mat roughly 4 feet wide by 20 feet long with a grid taped on top. When a new pattern is introduced numbers are placed on the mat. Once the pattern is memorized, the numbers are gradually taken away.
The classroom is set up using a circuit format so other more common balance exercises can be included, such as practicing heel-to-toe walking, single leg stand, and walking around or over obstacles. Members move from station to station, individually, paired, or in small groups, while repeating 2-3 sets of each balance exercise. With enough practice, confidence improves along with functional ability, mental agility, and lower body strength. Participants often report back to Deirdre and to each other which strategy they used to prevent a misstep. This process encourages social interaction and is mentally and physically engaging. The class is 75 minutes long and includes musical accompaniment. The programs are designed to slow down the aging process as it relates to balance and mobility. If you would like to see "Balance N Mobility" in action, you are welcome to observe at JCC of Mid-Westchester in Scarsdale NY. www.jccmw.org or contact Deirdre at [email protected] or by phone 914 260-3165.
Donations Now Being Accepted for the Friends of the Library Book Sale
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Are you looking to find a new home for your unwanted books? It's time to donate lightly used books for The Friends of the Scarsdale Library annual blockbuster sale, which kicks off Friday, September 9, 2016 with a Members Preview Night*. Volunteers are also welcome to help sort books and organize materials throughout the summer and during the sale.
Donations will be accepted through Friday, August 26, and should be left inside the gray door to the side of the Scarsdale Library entrance, 54 Olmsted Road, at Post Road/Route22, Scarsdale, NY.
Books should be in saleable condition. Damaged, moldy or dog-chewed books cannot be accepted; nor can textbooks, encyclopedias, magazines or VCR tapes.
The Book Sale offers more than 60,000 almost-new and out-of-print books, including bestsellers, classics, biographies, fiction, parenting, cooking, art, graphic novels, humor, travel, self-help, drama, religion, philosophy, poetry, history, political science, and business.
There is also a huge selection of children's books, plus DVDs, CDs, LPs, audiobooks and sheet music; and a trove of autographed copies.
Westchester County's premier book sale will begin with a Members' Preview on Friday, September 9, from 6-9 pm. *New members may join at the door that evening for $25. The sale will run through Sunday, September 18. New books are added to the sale daily. The full schedule will appear soon on the Annual Book Sale webpage at www.scarsdalelibrary.org.
For information about volunteering or more information about donations, please contact Kathy Steves, Book Sale Manager at ([email protected]).
The Scarsdale Public Library is located at 54 Olmsted Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583, Phone: (914) 722-1300.
Revised Proposal for the Library in the Works
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Proponents for a renovated and expanded library have been retooling their proposal and will present revised plans that will substantially reduce the required funding from the Village of Scarsdale. Library Board President Terri Simon and Library Director Elizabeth Bermel said they "listened carefully to feedback from the Village and comments from a report from the Scarsdale Forum." They "heard widespread enthusiasm for the design and growing understanding for doing this, but know that people are concerned about the cost. They are working on a response.
Simon said they had met with Dattner Architects to do some "value engineering" and find ways to economize while still realizing the programmatic achievements for the project. The two feel confident that with private funding they can deliver a project that does not "gut the plan."
Earlier this month the Municipal Services Committee of the Scarsdale Forum issued a report in support of a library renovation that asked for "economies and prioritization of design features," and a "fiscally tenable plan that would not present any imprudent risk to the Village and its taxpayers." They recommend the exploration of a range of design options and a cost-benefit analysis of each one. They note that Dattner's original report included a scaled back "Option B" offering a savings of $2 million. However, some of the elements that were eliminated were "intrinsic to programming and user needs and should not be considered expendable." They also stressed that project incorporate sustainable design, and that it be energy efficient and "healthful." The forum committee called for a third "hybrid" design choice. You can find the full report here:
Simon and Bermel said the committee is putting together a binder of materials to make available to the public that will include all source documents that were part of this decision making process along with an FAQ. They said they have "thoughtfully analyzed their decisions," and considered the forum's feedback. The binder will also include a sustainability analysis. Since this is a renovation, not a new building, it will not be LEED certified, but it will be "environmentally responsible."
In the meantime, an investigation of the subsurface is being conducted and an engineer is analyzing the building foundation so that there are no surprises during construction. They are also working on a study of traffic and parking.
Simon pointed out that time is of the essence, because construction and material costs continue to rise while the project is debated. Also, in order for the Library Board to meet its fundraising goal, they need the funding commitment from the Village.
They hope to present their revised plans to the Board of Trustees in the next few weeks.
Scarsdale Tennis Teams Compete for League Title
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The Scarsdale Womens' B2 Team advanced to the playoffs as the fourth placed team in the league with 17 points. Their first playoff match was against the top seeded team, Briarcliff which earned 27 points during the season. After beating Briarcliff they faced the Scarsdale B1 team in the finals. The B1 team ending the season in third place with 26 points and beat Chappaqua (who also earned 26 points) in the playoffs. In the final match it was Scarsdale vs. Scarsdale, with the B2 team winning 3 of the 5 matches. Three courts went to third set tie breakers.
Pictured Above:
Top Karen Friedman, Diane Loft, Karen Cohn, Elena Kanner, Lori Falow, Tammy Fine, Geralyn DellaCava, Yuko Onoda, Mayu Kojima, Geralyn DellaCava, Joanne Teoh, Michele Silberberg, (Captians) Lauren Haller, Alexa Froomberg and Sarah Roth, Missing: Florence Alkalay, Gail Behar, Erica Choset, Nancy Clarvit, Amy Cooper, Helyn Goldstein, Barbara Goodman, Lydia Hassan Jill Hyman, Renee Koevary, Susan Oh, Erika Radin and Shari Romano
Class of 2016 Struts Their Stuff at Pre Prom Celebration
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The resplendent SHS Class of 2016 strutted their stuff at the red carpet celebration before the prom on Thursday June 2 at Scarsdale High School. The students were aglow in colorful, flowing gowns for seniors with above the knee dresses for junior and sophomore girls. This year the gowns ranged from hot pink, red, orange and teal, to spring florals, whites and traditional black. Some of the dresses featured sheer midriffs, sequins, open backs and chiffon skirts. Hair was worn down in spiral curls, or up in elaborate braided buns.
Boys wore tuxes and some accompanied their dates with bowties and cummerbunds to match their dates' gowns. Parents, grand parents, teachers an friends flocked to the high school to admire the partiers, pose for photos and send off the class on white coaches buses to Glen Island Country Club for the much-awaited event.
Kids reported that they had a great time at pre-prom parties at friends homes, the red carpet celebration at the high school, the prom itself and at the post-prom party on the rooftop of the Copa Cabana in New York that went on until the wee hours. Hail to the class of 2016.
(If you don't see your photo in the gallery, please send it to [email protected], and we will add it to the display.
