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Essence of Los Alamos and White Rock
February/March 2013, Volume 7 Issue 2
LIVING WELL IN LOS ALAMOS Alternative Medicines Staying Fit in Los Alamos Best Community for Young People Managing Chronic Disease
the Essence
Essence Interview with Bobby Coyne ....................5 No Excuses, Exercising in LA.......................................7 100 Best Communities for Youth .............................9 Linda Hull Continues Legacy ................................... 11 Alternative Ways to Health ..................................... 13 Staying Healthy on the Mountaintop .......... 17 Calendar of Events
18 Living Well, Feeling Better......................................... 18 Local Happenings in Our Town .....................................................................
Suzette Fox, Katy Korkos Editor, Ads Coordinator Katy Korkos, Blake Jackson Content Editors FYILA.com
Your best local resource for news, events, business directory and more.
visit.losalamos.com
Online visitor guide to Los Alamos
locate.losalamos.com Online relocation guide losalamoschamber.com Chamber of Commerce
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Participating CommunityMatters Chamber Members
Editor’s Note If I’ve only learned one thing from reading the articles in this “Living Well” edition of the Essence, it’s that there are dozens of tools and practices, helpers, teachers, healers, ways of life and supporters and volunteers in our community to help us feel better and live well. A common thread in all these stories is that people were helped and supported in their lives, and wanted to help others in the same way.
A.D.A.P.T & Recover Bob’s Bodacious BBQ Bilingual Montessori School Blue Window Bistro CB FOX & CB FOX Kidz Los Almaos County Government
Our uniqueness as a community has been recognized many times over. The Community Health profile story talks about how we came to be recognized as one of the healthiest communities in the country, and how we can improve in the future.
Los Alamos Co-Op Market Dance Arts Los Alamos Del Norte Credit Union Los Alamos Family Council Los Alamos MainStreet Farmers’ Market
Los Alamos was also recognized as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People from among 320 Communities. Keanna Cohen’s letter helps to show just how passionate young people are about their home town, and its dedication to community service.
Family Strengths Network Family YMCA High Mesa Institutes -- The Hive Hampton Inn & Suites Juvenile Justice Advisory Board - LA Karen Wray Fine Art Kiwanis Club Little Forest Playschool Los Alamos County Environmental Services Los Alamos Fitness Center Los Alamos Heart Council, Inc. Los Alamos Historical Society & Museum Los Alamos Medical Center
The CommunityMatters interview with Bobby Coyne shows us that even a challenging childhood and legacy of alcoholism and violence can be overcome with honest effort and support. We have always featured an Essential Person in each issue of the Essence. As I read back over these profiles, what stands out is that everyone is essential- that each one of us plays a role that contributes to our well-being. I often hear young parents say “I’ll give back when the kids are grown” but there is no better contribution to the community than raising healthy kids. This time of year is often a time for reflection and prioritization- what can we use more of in the coming year, what kinds of experiences and feelings we would like to have less of, and how we find a path to make those things happen. The more I learn about the Los Alamos and White Rock community, the more I realize that everything we need can be found here.
Los Alamos National Bank Lorraine Hartway, CPA, LLC Mesa Public Library Medical Assoc. of Northern New Mexico North Road Inn
Katy Korkos Member services, Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce
Pajarito Brew Pub Pajarito Environmental Education Center Pajarito Mountain Ski Area The Finishing Touch TOTH Episcopal Church UNM Graduate Program UNM-Los Alamos United Way of Northern New Mexico
On the cover: Working out during the Family YMCA’s PowerUp! exercise class. PowerUp classes are offered Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1:05 -2:00pm and Tuesday, Thursday 9:00-10:10am & 6:25-7:20pm. Look for more classes when the Y Express opens in February.
Waddell & Reed
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Los Alamos Community Health Council (LACHC) Members & Resources
Experience the North Road Inn Check out our seasonal deals & packages!
LACHC’s mission is to lead in community health improvement through representative membership empowered to identify and address health issues in Los Alamos. LACHC performs ongoing research regarding comprehensive planning, coordination and development of health programs and services.
LACHC Members & Community Resources
www.northroadinn.com The North Road Inn is the perfect location to headquarter your day trips. They may span centuries of history and immerse you in culture and tradition, or interest and amaze you with
505.662.3678 2127 North Road in Los Alamos
The following organizations provide important community health related services and resources. More detailed contact and service information is on LACHC’s website: www.lachc.net. A Nurse in the Family Aspenridge Lodge and Sombrillo Nursing & Rehabilitation Assets in Action DWI Planning Council Family Strengths Network Family YMCA in Los Alamos First Born First United Methodist Church Home Instead Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Juvenile Justice Advisory Board (JJAB) LA Cares Los Alamos Council on Cancer Los Alamos County Los Alamos Family Council Los Alamos Heart Council Los Alamos Medical Center Los Alamos Public Schools Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization (LARSO) Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service New Mexico Suicide Intervention Project Northern New Mexico United Way NM DOH Public Health Office NMSU Cooperative Extension Presbyterian Medical Services Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Self Help Teen Center
Home Care Retirement Living Nursing & Rehabilitation Youth DWI Planning Youth & Family Programs Family Wellness & Fitness New Mothers & Infants Basic Needs Home Care Basic Needs Youth Services Collaborative Food, Financial Help Cancer Resources, Support County Government Youth, Mental Health, Substance Abuse Promoting Heart Health Hospital, Clinic & Specialty Medical Services Youth Education Programs & Services for Older Adults Home Based Nursing and Hospice Services Suicide Prevention & Intervention for Youth Community Fund Public Health Services Information & Education Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services Recruitment of Older Adult Volunteers Basic Needs, Financial Assistance Youth Programs
Brought to you by The Los Alamos Community Health Council (lachc.net), Los Alamos Family Council and the Los Alamos National Lab Community Programs Office.
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Equipped labs and shops for shared use 134 State Road 4 (next to Metzgers in White Rock)
www.hive505.com 505-695-2017
Los Alamos
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CommunityMatters
The VALUE of GIVING Essence interview with Bobby Coyne
Bobby Coyne’s practice ADAPT and Recover is located in the Trinity Professional Plaza in Los Alamos. ADAPT and Recover’s mission is to provide those who suffer from addictive disorders a means to adapt and recover from the devastation created out of the addictive disease process regardless of the substance, behavior, or activity. The practice also includes Jazz Salwen-Grabowski, who offers counseling for individuals with perinatal mood disorders, birth trauma and infant loss, and issues with the transition to parenthood. Essence: How did you come to live and work in Los Alamos? Bobby Coyne: My wife and I had been talking about moving away from Texas because of its overgrowth, ozone days and extreme heat. We had been talking to some friends who were excited about moving here, and then when my wife was calling around to try to get more information about what I would have to do to transfer my licenses, she ran across a job that would be perfect for me. At the same time, on the same day, one of my co-workers offered to buy our house in Texas, so we packed up and moved. Essence: What do you like about living here? Bobby Coyne: The weather, the small-town feel, the quiet. Essence: What’s your background? Bobby Coyne: I grew up in Woodside, Queens, New York. We lived in a one bedroom apartment in the Woodside Projects. My family on my father’s side (all third generation Irish Catholics) all had alcohol issues. Most died young of complications from alcoholism. As I grew older I learned that my uncle and my father had depression and what we now call PTSD from the horrors they witnessed and participated in during WWII. My father fought on Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima and Saipan before he was wounded on Iwo Jima at age 19. Alcoholism was a huge problem between my Dad and me, lots of violence, etc. I used alcohol abusively since age 23, and when I was 34 I began drinking alcoholically, every day, all day. I had two DWIs, did some jail time on a Texas work farm. I finally asked for help on September 29, 1986, went to rehab for the fourth time, after dozens of attempts to get sober. I’ve been in recovery since October 1, 1986. I basically entered the field of counseling due to my own personal experience with the devastation of drug and alcohol abuse and my search for my “real self” coupled with the satisfaction of working with wounded souls and the joy it brings when they recover. Essence: Do you have any advice for those who are worried about how seeking help might affect their jobs? Bobby Coyne: People really need to come and get the help they need, with a 100 percent guarantee of confidentiality for that initial visit. Most of the issues we deal with (nine out of ten) do not have to be reported to the Lab or other employers.
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Check out these NEW Features on the County’s website!
LosAlamosJJAB.com Los Alamos Juvenile Justice Advisory Board
Open Forum: Review information on current topics,
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Sunshine Page: Click on the
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What s Leadership | Prevention | Intervention | Academic Support | Family/Parenting Support
Visit LosAlamosJJAB.com Spring Session has started! It’s not to late to register!
Register online at www.danceartslosalamos.org 505-672-9462
for youth and their families including: New Youth Resource Advocate Program Los Alamos Youth Food Project Youth Leadership Programs Connection to counseling and services How to get involved
Family Council is celebrating 50 years of making a difference in the lives of Los Alamos Counseling for children, teens, adults, couples and families.
For a full range of mental health and substance abuse issues.
Los Alamos Family Council
505 -662 -3264
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The Frolic
Everybody knows that the best exercise program is the one that you enjoy and will keep doing. It might be dancing or walking the dog, riding horses or snowshoeing, swimming or biking, spinning or golf. Table tennis, volleyball, badminton, yoga ,roller derby, rock climbing, You can count yourself lucky if you enjoy running or biking, because you can get out and do those almost every day of the year. But sometimes even the most enjoyable exercise program becomes stale, or you just need a little boost to keep going, get stronger, or learn better techniques. Did you know we have four professional gyms, two dance studios, a huge recreation department, and even more independent entrepreneurs focused on fitness? Below you’ll find a list of the classes offered by Chamber members Los Alamos Fitness - 771 Central Ave., 662-5232, www.losalamosfitness.com- has professional trainers, an extensive array of workout equipment, and classes in yoga, fitness, aikido, Zumba, Pilates, cardio, circuit training, as well as specialized classes for people over 50 Curves - 967 Central Ave., 661-2455- women’s circuit training gym Family YMCA - 1450 Iris St., 662-3100, www.laymca.org - all kinds of dance (Belly Dancing, Flamenco, Hip Hop, Zumba, Kathak, Bharatanatyam), all kinds of martial arts (including fencing, wrestling and kickboxing), climbing wall, open gyms for volleyball and basketball, spin classes and much more Mesa Elite Fitness - 181 Central Park Square and soon to be on DP Road, - personal trainers, Crossfit, performance training Los Alamos County Recreation - 662-8173, many locations, www.losalamosnm.us Dancing (Salsa Dancing, Scottish country dancing, square dancing), swimming, golf, ice skating, Martial arts (Jujitsu, Tae Kwon Do) Dance Arts Los Alamos - 672-9462, 111 Longview Drive in White Rock, www.danceartslosalamos.org with studios in both Los Alamos and White Rock, offering Ballet, Pilates, Tap and Hip Hop. More than 40 classes each week.
Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com
ABOVE: John Wilcox of Mesa Elite Fitness demonstrates part of a workout routine. LEFT: Kent Pegg, owner of Los Alamos Fitness, instructs a client of the proper use of a piece of equipment.
New Mexico Dance Theater - 662-6638, 149 Central Park Square, www.nmdt.org with Ballet, tap, Flamenco, creative Ballet, pointe, and Mommies and Me. Also New Mexico Dance Theater Performance company. The list above is not comprehensive- there are even more fun things to do, including those offered through the Pajarito Environmental Education Center (such as hikes and bird-watching tours), the Los Alamos County Library system (such as M&Ms for toddlers and parents)
ABOVE: Golf is only one the healthy activities offered by Los Alamos County Recreation. RIGHT: PowerUp! at the Family YMCA combines weight training with cardio.
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ies ing Famil r e w o p m E y ommunit C g in d il Bu Now Offering Fun Family Programs Parenting Programs Teen Programs LEGO Club Infant/Toddler Programs Toy Lending Library Family Resource Center Library
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Regular Sunday services 8 & 10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship 6:07 p.m. (2nd & 4th Sundays) located at the corner of Trinity & Diam ond Dr. 662-5107 w w w .latoth.org
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www.losalamoshistory.org 505-662-6272 www.ReadTheEssence.com
Los Alamos Named One of the 100 Best Communities for Young People Our very own Los Alamos has been named one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People for the second time in five years by the America’s Promise Alliance. The 2012 winners were chosen from a pool of more than 320 nominees from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. We were honored because of our commitment to helping youth graduate from high school, and because of nominations like the one from hometown girl Keanna Cohen.
Los Alamos’ tight knit environment is what makes it a great and safe place to raise kids.
Hello, my name is Keanna Cohen and I am currently a first-year student at the University of California, Santa Barbara where I am studying Political Science and Psychology. Though Santa Barbara is my current place of residence, it is by no means my home. I am a small town girl from Los Alamos, New Mexico, a community I consider to be one of the best communities to grow up in. Raised in Los Alamos herself, my mother returned from Santa Barbara, California after graduating from college, to raise her daughter in a safe community. Just as it was her home, it became mine. Los Alamos is a unique community. It is isolated on mesas backed up against the Jemez Mountains and was chosen as the top-secret site to house the Manhattan Project. Today, it is home to the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), where groundbreaking scientific research is conducted daily. As a result, some of the world’s most brilliant minds are attracted to Los Alamos, which provides for an ethnically diverse community. I feel that I was greatly influenced by this diversity. Having friends who were Persian, Chinese, Russian, Ecuadorian, etc. exposed me to different cultures, foods, and beliefs. This introduction to diversity has encouraged me to seek more diversity in the future. In addition to diversity, LANL employees’ dedication to scientific research fosters a commitment to education. Thus, Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) are considered some of the best in the state, despite being public schools. Los Alamos is fortunate in that, just as it attracts top scientists, it also attracts top teachers. Throughout my schooling, I encountered numerous teachers that touched my life, and changed my outlook on the world. The teachers in LAPS are not simply teaching because it is their job, they teach because it is their passion. They take pride in introducing new ideas and concepts to their students and are exceptionally ecstatic when their students demonstrate a hunger for knowledge. However, LAPS teachers do not only teach subject matter, but also give insight to the valuable lessons on life. They offer guidance, advice, and experience to their students. They are teachers without whom, I know I would feel like I was missing something. LAPS teachers aren’t just teachers, they are mentors and friends. Education in Los Alamos doesn’t stop in the schools, but is carried out through community service and involvement. From a very young age I was encouraged to try new activities, serve my community, and ultimately become well-rounded. Like many young kids, I was involved in Kinder Kicks, Girl Scouts, and gymnastics, among others. As I got older, I became increasingly active in my community. While friends and family encouraged my involvement, it was adults unrelated to me that demonstrated the most support. I feel Los Alamos is an amazing community because of the dedication adults have to youth. They spend their time and energy outside of their day-to-day jobs and home life to help community youth develop into moral and caring individuals. Whether it’s coaching a sports team, leading a Girl Scout troop, or heading a community service project, community members in Los Alamos take pride in their children and want to provide the best life experience for them. This dedication to community service translates into a very active community. Los Alamos’ tight knit environment is what makes it a great and safe place to raise kids. The Fourth of July is one of the most anticipated events of the year. Every family in
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town packs up their car or pulls their red wagon to Overlook Park where there’s a live band, food, and fun. Children run around playing games, teens try to look cool at the biggest event of the summer, and the adults kick back in their lawn chairs. Finally, it’s time for the show. Everyone gathers on their blankets in the middle of the soccer field to ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ as the local Kiwanis Club displays the fireworks. While I look forward to the Fourth of July every year, there is no event that beats Homecoming. Because we’re a small town with only one high school, Homecoming is the largest parade of the year, running through the center of town with street-sides crowded with anxious kids hungry for candy. Every Girl Scout and Boy Scout troop, Little League Team, local business, and the like, march in the parade. Children’s faces are painted and candy scatters the streets. Homecoming Court rides in the back of convertibles for the whole town to see. After all the excitement is over, the town heads home to prepare for that night’s football game. Homecoming is by far my favorite event of the year. Since it is so isolated by nature, spending time outdoors is common for Los Alamos families. In the summer, hiking, biking, and backpacking are frequent family activities; whereas, in the winter many families head up to our locally run ski hill to catch some time on the slopes. It was not until I moved to a much more urban setting in California that I truly appreciated the unique location of Los Alamos. I feel that by growing up in a relatively rural town, I have a different appreciation for nature than others who grew up in urban areas. Los Alamos is my home. It is where I grew and thrived. It is where I was safe and could ride my bike to soccer practice daily. It is where the high school sports are highlighted weekly and where Homecoming is the biggest event of the year. It is where people sport bumper stickers supporting the local ski hill. It is where education is valued and youth are encouraged to learn. Most importantly, it is where the adults care about their youth; where they have visions of a future where their youth are successful leaders. Los Alamos, New Mexico is clearly one of the best communities for young people in the nation and it will forever be my home.
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Essential Person
Linda Hull Carries Forward a Legacy of Community Service By Carol A. Clark
Linda H. Hull is a longtime Los Alamos resident who demonstrates her belief in the importance of community service by the hours she devotes to volunteer activities. During the last 20 years, Hull has served as a committee member or board member in more than a dozen organizations “I come to volunteer service through the example set by my family, particularly my father’s sister, Aunt Helen, who began teaching swimming lessons for the American Red Cross in the cold waters of Lake Erie in 1928 when she was 15 years old,” Hull said. “At the time of her death at 97, she had served more than 75 consecutive years as a Red Cross volunteer.” In 2011, Hull was elected to a four-year term on the UNMLos Alamos Advisory Board and is currently serving as treasurer of Phi Beta Kappa and is a member of the UNM-Los Alamos Foundation Development Committee. Hull also is a committee member of Leadership Los Alamos, Mesa Public Library Task Force, Public Schools Financial Stability Task Force, LAHS Band Boosters Fundraising and Public Relations, The Empty Bowls Project, Los Alamos Historical Society, Bandelier National Monument and Los Alamos Farmers Market. And she is a member of the Chimayó Cultural Preservation Association, Friends of Bandelier and the Pajarito Environmental Education Center. Back in 2003, Hull co-founded PASS (Parents Advocating Student Success) in Los Alamos with Bob Walsh because a high school freshman asked her if she could help her classmates from dropping out and attempting suicide. Hull explained that she enjoys volunteer work because it
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has allowed her to explore so many different areas of personal interest and also fulfills a community’s needs. “Volunteer work offers one of the best opportunities to meet the community leaders who are actively changing the world,” said Hull who is currently serving as president of the Los Alamos Rotary Club. “Although I’ve only been a member of Rotary for eight years, its motto, Service Above Self, describes my own vision of an enriching life.” Hull explained that even after living in town for 20 years, she is still impressed by the abundance of opportunities Los Alamos offers for pursuing virtually any interest. “We have everything here from pre-history to modern era; nature explorations in our mountain setting and through our own nature center; local symphony, light opera, and theater and outdoor activities from golfing to biking and skiing to hiking,” she said. “We have public service opportunities of all kinds; stimulating lectures by renowned speakers; university studies; an exceptional public library; numerous community festivities; and some of the best friends you’ll ever find … all under clear turquoise or starry skies.” Hull was born in southwest Ohio (Hamilton), but raised in central Florida (Eustis.) “I have lived in several other small towns, but none as generous or as interesting as Los Alamos,” Hull said. “Where else can you stand in line at a post office or grocery store and hear conversations about quarks?” Hull’s mother was a Spanish professor and her father was an outdoor writer. She has a younger brother who still lives in Florida and works in the boating industry. She holds a master’s degree in anthropology and a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and Spanish from Florida the
Essence February/March 2013
State University, Tallahassee. “After graduating from Eustis High School, I was awarded a Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarship during my junior year in college and studied that year at the Universidad de las Americás in Cholula, Puebla, not far from Mexico City,” Hull said. “During that year in Mexico, I traveled more than 3,000 miles visiting archaeological ruins including Aztec, Mayan and Toltec throughout the country.” Hull’s professional experience includes working as the Curator of Education at the Museum of Florida History and locally she served as the Coordinator of GED and English Language Learners Program in the Adult Basic Education Department at UNM-LA. She met her husband Bob Hull, now married for 37 years, when they were in the same archaeology class at Florida State University. He is an environmental engineer and counter-terrorism specialist at Los Alamos Technical Associates (LATA.) After she married, Hull lived for a time in Palo Alto, Calif., where she volunteered with Dr. Penny Patterson of the Gorilla Foundation who studies inter-species communication with Koko, the gorilla who uses sign-language. “We lived in northern California twice while Bob completed his degree at Stanford, but spent time in New Mexico when he was employed by the U.S. Geological Survey,” she said. “It was that time here that inspired us to move back in 1993 when Bob was offered a position at LATA. In the 20 years the Hulls have lived in Los Alamos, they’ve raised two daughters, Heather and Hayley who both live in northern Colorado now and Heather is married.
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Business
Local Alternative Health Services Are Readily Available By Carol A. Clark A surprising fact for many readers may be that Los Alamos is a veritable Mecca for alternative health care providers and modalities. From Kinesiology to BioElectric Massage to Ionic Footbaths and much more, this community offers pretty much something for everyone seeking relief from ailments. The following practitioners represent just a small fraction of the many alternative health services available locally.
What inspired these healthcare providers to get into their field of practice?
McIntyre
Dr. Merry McIntyre D.C. of Reunion Chiropractic & Wellness, 118 Central Park Square, (505) 670-0891 shared some details of her background that led her to her career. “As a teenager, I wanted to be a veterinarian or a surgeon but back then girls weren’t encouraged to do that. When I was 26 years old, I was in an automobile accident and sustained serious injuries and suffered severe back pain for many years,” McIntyre said. “Out of desperation, I finally went to a chiropractor. That one visit was nothing short of miraculous with the relief I felt. I was inspired to study the philosophy of
chiropractic and it very much resonated with me.” McIntyre spent the next seven years studying at Northwestern Health Sciences University in Minneapolis, Minn., graduating at the age of 44. “It is interesting how our life experiences guide us in the direction of our life work,” she said. “Had I become a veterinarian, I wouldn’t have been able to euthanize people’s pets; had I become a surgeon, I definitely would have been sued as I was a real ‘hacker’ in anatomy lab!” McIntyre explained that the philosophy of chiropractic states that the body has innate intelligence and knows how to heal itself. Symptoms are a sign that something in the body is out of balance and, if that imbalance is addressed, the body will selfcorrect. Often, the imbalance occurs when subluxations (misalignments) show up in the spine and/or extremities, she said. This impacts the nervous system whose job it is to send and receive information. Thus, chiropractic is the art and science of restoring and maintaining the integrity of the nervous system.
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“The mind/body connection also very much interested me as I suffered from severe depression. This inspired me to study the research in this area, especially by Dr. Candace Pert, Ph.D. and Dr. Bruce Lipton M.D.,” McIntyre said. “As a result, I have developed a process of clearing core beliefs that are passed down genetically through family dynamics. What holds the beliefs in place are repressed fear-based emotions. I teach my patients how to clear the emotions and how to respond to life situations (solution-oriented) rather than react (problem-oriented.) How we are feeling determines the quality of our lives. If you want to feel good, it is an inside job. I am happy to report that I am FEELIN’ GO(O)D!” Dr. Gary L. Storkan, 2610 Trinity Dr., Ste 22, (505) 662-2077, specializes in the power of Chiropractic. “My introduction into healthcare started back in the mid 70’s when I learned Applied Kinesiology (muscle testing) from the Touch for Health Foundation,” he said. “I realized then that if I were going to be able to do this well, I would have to do it more regularly. As luck would have it, while attending a conference, I was invited to work in a very large Chiropractic office in Walnut Creek, Calif., where I worked with Dr. Young for about three years doing muscle testing Storkan and nutritional counseling.” Storkan recalled that during that time, he was able to see firsthand the power of Chiropractic in facilitating the body’s ability to heal. He also became very rooted in the health triangle (structural, mental, metabolic) and decided that he needed to attend Chiropractic school to complete this triangle for his self. “Currently, my practice is based on my philosophy that the body can perform miracles of healing if I am able to find and remove the areas of compensation that rob the body of energy that could be used for proper function,” Storkan said. “I usually find the compensations somewhere in the health triangle if no infection is present.” The story of how Michelle Harkey of Mullein Leaf Massage, 3500 Trinity Dr., Ste A-5, (505) 412-8360, entered the field of alternative therapy is perhaps not the typical story. “A friend asked me to pick her up from her massage in a nearby town. Not knowing my way, I managed to arrive 20 minutes early and was invited by my friend to see the unique BioElectric massage she was receiving,” Harkey said. “By the end of her session, the therapist had invited me to apprentice with him, saying I had the hands and the mind for the work. This was about the last thing in the world I, a stodgy
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Alternative Health accountant, envisioned myself doing, but after thinking about it for a few months decided to give it a try. It was the start of a wonderfully fulfilling and gratifying path, which I am joyfully pursuing each day.” There are many ways to find a moment of peace in a hectic schedule: running, prayer, yoga, a hot tub, a book, Harkey said. For many people, a massage is the ultimate way to relax. “According to the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, massage has been shown to help people feel better,” she said. It’s not clear why, but several studies show massage reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol while boosting the feel-good hormones serotonin and dopamine, Harkey said, adding that Harkey those changes slow the heart rate, reduce blood pressure, and block the nervous system’s pain receptors. Massage also increases blood flow to the muscles, which may help them heal. While offering a “great massage” is just one of the ways Harkey can help people, she explains that some people want to explore the deeper reasons behind tension, so for them a Body Paths integrative session is a way to explore how the mind and body work together to create and release tension. Other people want to be pampered with an afternoon of spa treatments like a salt scrub, facial and hydrating wrap. Life Coaching is also a way Harkey said that she helps people achieve what they want in life: passion, success and fulfillment. “One of my signature treatments is a BioElectric massage,” she said. “You’ll love this tingly way to sink into deep relaxation unlike any other massage you’ve ever had.” Nancy Savoia of the Los Alamos Chiropractic Center, 662-3022, was first introduced to physical medicine during her junior year at college in the mid 70’s while majoring in Biology and in Social Rehabilitation. “Spending time at a rehab hospital, I was mostly drawn to the physical therapy department. What was so enticing about the field was the hands on interaction with the patients, the one on one care, and being able to keep moving throughout the day as opposed to sitting at a desk,” she said. After college, Savoia’s career took a different path, but in those following years she discovered chiropractic medicine. “Experiencing neck stiffness and pain, which restricted me from certain types of exercises, I was en-
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couraged to try chiropractic. Following the first treatment, I felt immediate relief,” she said. “I continued to get care as needed, and began to learn proper postural exercises to help my body function optimally. When it was time for a career change, I decided on chiropractic school (with advice from my medical doctor and from my chiropractor), and have been blessed with a rewarding career of helping ease pain and discomfort for those seeking a healthier lifestyle.” Savoia moved to Los Alamos 16 years ago, and said that she feels “so fortunate to have discovered such a fine community in which to practice.” Dr. Henry Ahlefelder, Acupuncture Center of Los Alamos, 663-1339, began the study and practice of meditation in 1982, while in college. It was through meditation that he began to understand the connection of the mind and body, and how they function as a cohesive unit. Interested in learning more, Ahlefelder began his study of traditional medicine, originally ayurveda, the traditional medicine system of India. “By this time I was living in Los Angeles, which allowed me to gain exposure to a variety of influences, including the esoteric system of ‘Medicine Buddha’ healing, in which I was tutored by a Japanese monk, as well as traditional Chinese medicine,” he Ahlefelder said. “I lived in Europe for a number of years, where I first trained in acupuncture, as well as continuing to study with different masters in India and Nepal. Ahlefelder found acupuncture and traditional Chinese herbal medicine to be not only powerful modalities, but they also integrate nicely into modern, western society, he said. “I practice a very gentle Japanese style of acupuncture, which I learned while attending further acupuncture schooling here in the U.S. This style is relatively pain free, and very relaxing, and through which we can restore the body and mind’s natural health and integrity,” Ahlefelder said. “I see all kinds of pain, headaches, menopausal issues, and of course allergies; and still find inspiration in helping each individual find their way back to ideal health.” Additional alternative health providers can be found at: fyila.com/directory keyword: Health & Medical
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Staying Healthy on the Mountaintop by Anne Hays Egan and Deb Gill
Healthiest County in the State
Los Alamos has recently been called the healthiest county in New Mexico by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The Los Alamos County Health Council created the health profile that served as one of the bases for that high ranking. There are many things that go into any county’s health profile. Especially important to a county’s overall health is its incidence (or rate) of the diseases that are leading causes of death in the state and the U.S. These include diseases such as heart attacks, strokes and cancer. The overall health of Los Alamos is also influenced by the strong commitment of its residents to wellness, nutrition, exercise, and the management of one’s individual health care. Excellent average incomes, high educational levels, employer provided health insurance coverage, and the community infrastructure are examples of what the New Mexico Con Alma Foundation and the World Health Association call ‘social indicators of health.’ Each of these social indicators also contributes to the county’s health profile.
Silver Tsunami
There are also areas within the overall strong health profile where development is needed to strengthen overall health and services. Los Alamos has a large percentage of older adults, and a growing group of baby boomers starting to enter retirement. This will increase the number of older adults in need of services in coming years. “It’s called the ‘silver tsunami,’ says Pauline Schneider of the Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization (LARSO). It’s important to note that Los Alamos residents have the longest average lifespan in New Mexico (86.2 years). Older adults are very active in the community, and represent a significant portion of the volunteer base that adds over $2 million of in-kind value per year to local nonprofits, and the economy. “The county also has a higher than average rate of upper respiratory diseases and Alzheimer’s,” according to LACHC President Mary Yamada. The LACHC is bringing together agencies that work with older adults to plan for this increased need for more home and community based services in the coming years. A few of the well known local leaders involved in planning for services for older adults include Sarah Rochester of Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service, Mary
Yamada of the Los Alamos Retirement Community (Aspen Ridge and Sombrillo), Pauline Schneider of LARSO, Mark Karaffa of the Los Alamos Medical Center, Chico Marquez of Home Instead, and Phyllis Webb from LANL.
Healthy Youth
The community has been able to expand its support for youth programs and the overall health of our youth through the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board (JJAB) and agencies providing services to youth and families. JJAB leverages resources by bringing in additional state and foundation support for services, according to Judge Alan Kirk, who helped to found JJAB. Recently Los Alamos County won the 100 Best Places for Youth to Live for the second time, in 2012. The 2011-2012 LACHC Los Alamos Community Health Profile indicates that our youth are healthier than most, excelling academically, with an award-winning school system that prepares the vast majority of its students for college. “Our kids are wonderful. They are also under a lot of pressure here. Many experiment with risky behaviors that can create problems. Having positive activities, role models and supports for them is critical. Many parents are working professionals in high stress jobs with long hours, so having resources for youth is important to families, employers and our community,” says Michaelangelo Lobato, Director of the Los Alamos Teen Center. Some more agencies and community leaders involved in these important community services for youth and families include Susan Mack of Family Strengths Network and VP of LACHC, Linda Daly of the Family YMCA, Joy Beery of Los Alamos Family Council’s Youth Activity Center, Patty Worth of First Born, and Bernadette Lauritzen of Assets in Action.
Basic Needs
Known for its extremely high average individual income and assets, the county has many resources. The poverty rate, which is usually correlated with poor health outcomes, is a very low 3.2% for the county. However, according to the 2010 Los Alamos Community Needs Assessment, the number of people who are living near poverty, or with ongoing economic challenges has been growing since the beginning of the U.S. Economic Crisis, in 2008. “As a consequence, more people find themselves in crisis or economic need,” according to Ellen Morris-Bond of Self Help, and June Gladney of LA Cares. Both agencies serve those in crisis and financial need, and have noted a steady
increase in requests for help since 2009. The county’s Health Care Assistance Fund, offers substantial assistance with health care costs for those without insurance coverage. Anne LePage from the First United Methodist Church, Nancy Arendt from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Cheryl Pongratz from the Los Alamos Family Council and Irene Powell from RSVP represent some of the other people and agencies involved in the LACHC’s newly developing Basic Needs Collaborative. This network is focused on coordinating and supporting services to those in crisis and financial need.
Support from the Community
It’s also noteworthy that many community health related services receive support from a mix of local contributors, including United Way of Northern New Mexico, the Con Alma Foundation Northern New Mexico Grant Group, Los Alamos County government, local businesses, civic groups, and faith communities. The continued support of this mix of resources is extremely important to our overall community health. Because of the county’s economic profile, often called ‘the Los Alamos effect,’ county agencies often have difficulty competing with others elsewhere in New Mexico for state and federal grants and contracts as well as foundation grants. “Our proposals have to be not just excellent, but exceptional,” says LACHC VP and Family Strengths Executive Director Susan Mack, who is a veteran successful grantwriter.
Community Health Council Work
The LACHC is the primary health planning body for the county, designated as such by both the Los Alamos County Council and the State of New Mexico. The three top priorities for its work during FY 2012 - FY 2013 are: (1) older adults, (2) people in crisis and financial need, and (3) youth and families at risk. Data cited in this article come primarily from the 2011-2012 LACHC Los Alamos Community Health Profile , the LACHC Health Action Plan, FY 2013 and the 2010 Los Alamos Community Needs Assessment, available on the LACHC website: www. lachc.net. A full list of LACHC’s membership can also be found on its website. LACHC’s work has been supported by Los Alamos County, Los Alamos National Labs, Los Alamos Medical Center, United Church Women’s Christian Service Society and generous in-kind donations from LACHC members.
Los Alamos Community Health Council
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Events
February 2013
March 2013
2 Cowboy Breakfast to Benefit Camp Corazones 7 am to 11 am Plain, Blueberry, Banana, Chocolate Chip and Special Variety of the
2 Beer and Band Saturdays at Pajarito Mountain Ski Area 12 pm to 5 pm. Marble Brewing. Felix y los Gatos – Blues.
Month Pancakes. Sausage, Bacon, Eggs, Juice & Coffee. At the Los Alamos Sheriff’s Posse Lodge.
8 – 10 Women’s Weekend at Pajarito Mountain. Friday
evening through Sunday at Pajarito Mountain Ski Area. Encourages women skiers to improve their skills and explore their limits in snow sports, and to make new friends with similar interests. The registration fee includes a donation to the Anita Salas Memorial Fund.
9 Beer and Band Saturdays at Pajarito Mountain Ski Area 12 pm to 5 pm. Blue Heron Brewing. Carl Greeff – Jazz. 12 LANB sponsored Historical Lecture Series “The Seven LANL Explosives Fatalities” at Fuller Lodge 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Cary Skidmore explores the technical and human perspectives of fatal accidents at the laboratory in the 1950s.
12 PEEC presentation “What’s That Bird?” 7 pm to 8 pm.
Dave Yeamans will give a presentation on backyard winter birds in the Los Alamos area.
13 “Wartime role of Oak Ridge” LANL Lecture Series at Bradbury Science Museum 5:30 pm to 7 pm. Ray Smith will
lecture on the wartime role of Oak Ridge, where he currently serves as historian, and the importance of collaboration between the laboratories. Free and open to the public.
7 PEEC presents Vegetable ABC’s. 7 pm to 8:30 pm. At PEEC.
Come learn season-defying techniques to a successful garden where summers are short and low levels of winter sunlight create the ultimate challenge.
9 Beer and Band Saturdays at Pajarito Mountain Ski Area. 12 pm to 3 pm. Santa Fe Brewing. Russell Scharf Band - Jazz.
12 LANB sponsored Historical Lecture Series: “Hiroshima & Nagasaki 2010” 7:30 pm to 9 pm. At Fuller Lodge. John Anderson, a docent at the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, who has spent 52 years in the “nuclear business,” will talk about how the Japanese cities that were hit with atomic bombs in WW II are faring today.
13 “From Z Division to Sandia National Laboratories” LANL Lecture series. 5:30 pm to 7 pm. At Bradbury Science
Museum. Sandia National Laboratories historian Rebecca Ullrich will discuss SNL’s transition from a wartime Los Alamos division to an independent laboratory. Free and open to the public.
14 Los Alamos Winter Farmers Market 8:30 am to 12:30 pm at Fuller Lodge. 14 PEEC talk: “Raptor Migration Through Veracruz” 7 pm to 8 pm. Come hear Robert Templeton, writer and teacher, talk about the
great raptor migration that occurs in Veracruz, Mexico each year.
16 Beer and Band Saturdays at Pajarito Mountain Ski Area 12 pm to 5 pm. Marble Brewing. DK and the Affordables.
16 Empty Bowls Fundraiser 11 am to 2 pm. At Betty Ehart Senior Center. The event includes bowls, a silent auction, a soup lunch, and live entertainment. It all benefits Self Help which has been helping our community for 43 years with emergency funding for rent, utilities and medicine and cottage industry grants.
16 Valentine Dance - Cathy Faber’s Swingin’ Country Band 8 pm to 11 pm. At Los Alamos Sheriff’s Posse Lodge.
22 Free Baking Demonstration- King Arthur Flour 12pm to 1 pm and 7 pm to 8 pm. At Fuller Lodge. The King Arthur Flour
14 Los Alamos Winter Farmers Market 8:30 am to 12:30 pm
at Fuller Lodge.
23 Los Alamos Community Winds presents Mid-Winter Concert at Crossroads Bible Church. 7 pm to 9 pm. Featuring:
baking tour will be stopping in New Mexico and offering free baking tips and demonstrations. Open to the public.
Finlandia, Jean Sibelius.
23 Beer and Band Saturdays at Pajarito Mountain Ski Area 12 pm to 5 pm. Santa Fe Brewing. Swing Soleil – Django Reinhardt Jazz. 26 PEEC presents “The Total Solar Eclipse of November 13-14”, 2012 7 pm to 8 pm. At PEEC. Stephen Becker will talk
about his experience on the cruise ship MS Oosterdam with over 1800 other passengers in the Coral Sea off the east coast of Australia where he viewed this event.
Community Calendar, searchable business directory, full event details, more events, and contact information at fyiLA.com
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Living Well, Feeling Better Not everyone can just jump into dieting and exercise to improve their state of health – some of us are dealing with chronic conditions that keep us from taking those leaps. Diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, chronic pain, anxiety and heart disease can lead us to feel paralyzed about how to take the steps we need to take toward a healthier life. The Family YMCA in conjunction with the Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization and the Los Alamos Cooperative Extension Service will be offering a series of workshops to help those with those chronic conditions and others The Manage Your Chronic Disease (MyCD) Program, also known as Stanford University’s Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, brings people with chronic diseases, family members and caregivers together in a community setting to learn healthier ways to live and gain confidence, and motivation to manage their health and feel more positive about life. The six-week workshop is highly interactive and provides the tools needed to manage symptoms, work with health care professionals, set weekly goals for behavior change, problem-solve, use relaxation techniques, handle difficult emotions, eat well, and exercise safely and easily. The workshop is not disease-specific, but it is designed to support and enhance disease-specific education. “We are excited to bring this successful program into Los Alamos,” said Linda Daly, CEO of The Family YMCA. “Our seniors and community members want to be armed with tools they can use to live a better life and this program provides them with those life-skills.” Topics include Getting a Good Night’s Sleep, Feedback and Problem-solving, Dealing with Difficult Emotions, Pain and Fatigue Management, Better Breathing, Healthy Eating, Medication Usage, Making Informed Treatment Decisions, Dealing with Depression, Positive Thinking, and Working with Your Health Professionals and the Health Care System. This workshop will allow you to set your own goals and make a step by step plan to improve your health-and your life! The MyCD Workshop will be held once a week for six weeks from 1:30-4pm beginning in February at the Betty Ehart Center. The health coaches for the class are Pauline Schneider, Executive Director, Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization and Paula Roybal Sánchez, Extension Home Economist, Los Alamos Cooperative Extension Service, trained volunteer leaders with health conditions themselves. The workshop series is free but pre-registration is required. To register or for more information call LARSO, 662-8920 or you can contact Melanie Chapman, The Family YMCA Wellness Director at mchapman@laymca.org, 662-3100.
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