NORTH VALLEY FAMILY YMCA by YMCA OF METROPOLITAN LOS ANGELES

OUR VOICE

NORTH VALLEY FAMILY YMCA 11336 Corbin Ave, Northridge, CA 91326

October2013 www.ymcala.org/nv

A newsletter for members and volunteers of the Y

INSPIRING LEADERS

YOUTH & GOVERNMENT PROGRAM NOW AT NORTH VALLEY FAMILY YMCA! Youth & Government (Y&G) teaches the values of democracy by creating citizen leaders to experience government first-hand and learn how to solve community problems through the democratic process. The program also develops in these youth an attitude of self-help and self-confidence for their personal future. Y&G is a six-month program in which high school delegates role play various positions within California State Legislature and the State Court Systems. Join your local North Valley Family YMCA Delegation and create bills to be submitted to the Model Legislature, research and practice court cases, and attend the three annual Model Legislature and Court conferences. READ MORE on P. 2

DEMOCRACY MUST BE LEARNED BY EACH GENERATION

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

5 TIPS FOR A HEALTHIER HALLOWEEN Halloween is that sweet time of year when children can collect and eat as much candy as they want. But with the obesity rate triple what it was a generation ago, and the number of cavities among children increasing for the first time in 40 years, some health experts consider the candy-focused holiday a nightmare. Based on the nutrition labels on popular candies, the average child accumulates 3,500 to 7,000 calories worth of treats on Halloween night, according to Donna Arnett, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Alabama-Birminghamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School of Public Health. READ MORE on P 4

READ MORE ON P. 2

OUR VOICE | A newsletter for members and volunteers of the Y

INSIGHT

By John Sinnema , Chair of North Valley Family YMCA’s Board of Managers

INSPIRING LEADERS CONTINUED FROM P. 1 Y&G teaches the values of democracy by creating citizen leaders to experience government first-hand and learn how to solve community problems through the democratic process. The program also develops in these youth an attitude of self-help and self-confidence for their personal future. Students will be given an arena to test their beliefs, share their frustrations, examine their ethics and broaden their knowledge.

WHY YOUTH & GOVERNMENT? While 66% of the general population reported being registered to vote, 96% of Y&G alumni were registered to vote. • 54% of the general population voted in the last presidential election, 86% of Y&G alumni voted in that same election. • 43% of Y&G alumni worked with others on a community issue, only 17% of the general population did so. • 36% of Y&G alumni are members of a board, compared with 3% of the general population. •

Thank you to everyone for the tremendous welcome I’ve received as the incoming Chairman. I’ve seen first-hand the power of the Y - for kids, families and the community - and I look forward to furthering the North Valley Family YMCA’s cause. Together, we will make great things happen. Although the weather may betray it, Fall is coming! School is back in session and if you’re in need of child care or programs for kids, I hope you’ll look into the fantastic programs that our Y has to offer.

Every Wednesday, 7-8:30pm, delegates meet at the North Valley Family YMCA to discuss issues facing California, as well as ways to implement their solutions through the legislative and judicial processes. Delegates will write and debate bills, prepare briefs, practice public speaking, all while making new friends and traveling across the state of California.s.

And for families, registration is now open for our Y Guides: Parent/Child Program. I am personally excited to begin another exciting year with my 3 daughters in the amazing Adventure Guides. I highly encourage parents to look into this one-ofa-kind program. It’s a great way to build stronger relationships with your children, as well as with other parents that are part of our community. A highlight for families (and the community) is just around the corner: Harvest Festival is on October 26th and is a safe and of course, fun, way to celebrate the holidays. Finally, get your tickets/sponsorship for our 26th annual Booster Club Dinner now. The event is sure to sell out again this year under the leadership of Los Angeles City Council President Pro Tempore Mitchell Englander. Thanks, and I’ll see you at the Y.

OUR MISSION | The North Valley Family YMCA puts Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit,

OCTOBER CALENDAR • Fall Child Care: Sign Up Now Providing a safe, nurturing environment for children to learn, grow and develop social skills, we provide before and after school licensed childcare at 13 schools throughout the valley. Featuring fun, theme-oriented curriculum including arts and crafts, sports, recreation, homework time, enrichment and a dedication to helping kids reach their personal potential. • Art Walk at the YMCA: October 11, 5-8pm Come to the Y to see great art from our own YMCA art class participants and local students. There will be performances, art, music, storytelling, art vendors, and so much more! • Summit Seekers Hike: October 12, 9am Hike Level: Moderate Join us at Eaton Canyon in Pasadena for a 3-mile, moderate hike. All the hikes are free and open to the community and geared for beginner/intermediate hikers. Children are welcome to attend as long as an adult accompanies them. As always, remember to bring plenty of water and snacks. See you on the trail! Contact Jody Guerrero for details: JodyGuerrero@ymcala.org • Member Appreciation Day: October 16th You make us special! Join us between 9am & 11am or 3pm & 5pm for healthy foods from Ed DeSouza and let us thank you for being a part of our Y family.

“LIKE” FOR LOVE With each new “Like” on their Facebook page during Sept. 23 – Nov 13, Northridge Fashion Center will donate $1 (up to $1,500) to YMCA for our Thanksgiving baskets! We want to give away 2,800 basket this year, so let’s get “liking!” www.facebook.com/northridgefashioncenter

• Parents’ Night Out: October 18th Parents, want a night out? Bring the kids to the YMCA for fun, games, sports, arts and crafts, snacks and swimming (ages 8 and up) while you enjoy time to yourself! Register at the Welcome Center. Only $17 per child. or $20 per family • Family Dive-In Movie: October 25th, 6:30-9:30pm Come join in on the family fun! The cost is $18 per family. This includes dinner, family games, crafts, and enjoy “Toy Story 3”, while having fun in the water! Sign up today at the Welcome Center to reserve your space. • Harvest Festival: October 26th, 2-5pm Read more pn P.5 • NOVEMBER TO REMEMBER: November is Diabetes Awarenes Month Join us as we bring awareness to our communities regarding Diabetes and the symptoms, prevention, management, nutritional advice, and more! Our goal is to help our community understand and provide resources to prevent or manage Diabetes. We will have events, lectures, health professionals, nutrition information, incentive games and more during the month of November. Flyers will be posted soon! • 26th YMCA Booster Club Dinner: November 7th Read more to the right! • Thanksgiving Baskets: November 19th Baskets given to families in need. Donations welcome. To donate or recommend a family in need, please call Debi Mayer at the Y. And don’t forget to “like” the Northridge Fashion Center on Facebook to help us get more baskets. See right for details. • Turkey Tri: November 28th Here’s your chance to compete in a triathlon! Come to the Y on Thanksgiving Day to burn off those pre-turkey calories! The distance for adults is a 5 lap swim (250 yards), 5 mile bike, 1 mile run/walk outside. All ages can participate. For kids, 9 years or younger, enter the Tiny-Tri: 2 lap swim (100 yards), 3 mile bike, 1 mile run/walk outside. All participants receive a Turkey Tri t-shirt! Sign up at the front desk by November 15. Only $15 per participant.

Booster Club Dinner

NORTH VALLEY FAMILY YMCA AT PORTER RANCH

Thursday, November 7th, Knollwood Country Club Chair: Los Angeles City Council President Pro Tempore Mitchell Englander Thanks to contributions from this unique event, the North Valley Family YMCA provides nearly 13,000 children with programs that promote youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, so that kids of every age grow into compassionate, healthy and successful adults. Sponsor packages and tickets still available. Contact Debi Mayer at 818-368-3231 x2335 or DeborahMayer@YMCALA.org

OUR VOICE | A newsletter for members and volunteers of the Y

5 TIPS FOR A HEALTHIER HALLOWEEN (CONT.) According to a recent report, a 100-pound child who consumed all of those treats, or 7,000 calories, would have to walk for nearly 44 hours or play full-court basketball for 14.5 hours to burn those calories. And the dangers aren’t just sweets-related: studies show that since children are walking neighborhoods in search of treats, there are more child pedestrian accidents on Halloween than any other day of the year. Still, the holiday shouldn’t be all spooks and no fun. If your children generally eat well all year long, then experts say that there is nothing wrong with letting them eat candy on Halloween night and a few mini pieces daily afterwards. The key, of course, is moderation. Family nutrition experts shared these tips with TIME Healthland about how parents can incorporate healthy foods, even workouts, into trick-or-treating — and some ideas for what to do with the rest of the loot when the trick and treating is over.

1. FILL UP BEFORE TRICK-OR-TREATING If kids are full before they go trick-or-treating, then they will eat fewer pieces of candy afterwards. “Consider having your kids eat something healthy before they go out so they aren’t tempted to eat the candy along the way,” said Vandana Sheth, a registered dietician based in Los Angeles.

2. HAND OUT NON-SUGARY FOODS AND TOYS Nutritionists suggest some more wholesome treats that parents could give trick-or-treaters. Kristi King, senior pediatric dietician at Texas Children’s Hospital, thinks animal crackers, mini rice cereal or granola bars, whole grain cheddar cheese crackers, and sugar free hot chocolate packets, make good treats. Sheth recommends pretzels, apples, tangerines, fruit leathers, or a trail mix of whole grain cereals. She also says kids will usually take cool toys over candy if given a choice, so she advises parents to consider pencils, erasers, stickers, tattoos, glow sticks, and Play-Doh containers. “Often [children’s] excitement is in collecting the candy, rather than eating the candy,” Sheth said. Sometimes it’s what’s on the outside that counts more than what is inside. “It’s all in the packaging with kids,” said Angela Lemond, a registered dietician in the Dallas area. “You can make healthy treats, but you can package them in a really cool, spooky way that will make them more likely to consume it.” Lemond suggested freezing frozen yogurt in small paper cups and placing them in a cooler with dry ice for a spooky, smoky effect. Decorating the cooler to look like an old chest can make it more fun for kids to dig into the healthy treats.

3. TRICK-OR-TREAT AND EXERCISE King encourages parents to make their children walk from house to house instead of driving them. Parents can even encourage siblings or friends to wear pedometers or activity meters and start a friendly competition for who can be the most active while they are collecting candy.

4. KEEP YOUR FAVORITE SWEETS. HIDE THE REST… Some nutritionists suggest that a little goes a long way and say it’s best to allow kids to have 1-3 pieces of candy a day, starting with lunch at school, as an afternoon snack, or after dinner, making it a regular part of meals. The rest of the candy can go in the freezer so that it’s out of sight and out of mind. Parents should be just as vigilant about their candy consumption as children, says Karen Ansel, a New York nutrition expert. “Kids go to school all day, and parents are often home with the candy lying around,” she said. “If you’re buying Halloween candy to hand out to trick-or-treaters, buy your least favorite ones so that you are not tempted to eat them.”

5. …OR GIVE IT AWAY When children get back home from trick-or-treating, have them make two piles: one for the candy they want to keep, another for the candy they will not eat. Consider donating the second pile to a local senior citizens home, food pantry, Ronald McDonald House, or children’s hospital. You can even make money off your stash and make a U.S. soldier’s day at the same time. This year, more than 1,000 dentists nationwide are buying candy from kids — $1 per pound — and then shipping it to U.S. troops overseas via Operation Gratitude as part of a Halloween Candy Buy-Back program, started by Wisconsin dentist Dr. Chris Kammer. He says that soldiers will receive toothbrushes, floss, and mouthwash with each handful of candy so that they can brush thoroughly afterwards. “You can’t get a cavity in a short amount of time with a handful of exposures to candy,” he says. In addition to the cash, participating dentists will also give kids treats, such as restaurant coupons and Xylitol gum made with a naturally-occurring sweetener that may prevent tooth decay and reduce cavities. “We replace some of their candy with a healthy candy alternative,” Kammer said. And in the process, children can learn a valuable lesson about giving. Read

http://healthland.time.com/2012/10/30/5-tips-for-a-healthy-

halloween/#ixzz2fI2EEuzK

Cheddar popcorn balls in a plastic baggie sporting a smiling face can be instant pumpkin heads that are also a hit with kids who won’t miss the sugar of a sweeter treat. 3