Blue Zones Author Keynotes Vital Aging Conference

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Dan Buettner, an internationally-recognized researcher, explorer, and author of The Blue Zones, will be the keynote speaker at the County’s Vital Aging: Keeping in Step with Your Health conference from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday, June 3, at the Liberty Station McMillin Center, 2875 Dewey Rd., San Diego. A companion event will be held at the same time at the Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine Ave.

The Vital Aging Conference is a biennial event, coordinated by the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency’s Aging & Independence Services. This event will also feature walking tours, health screenings and exercises, free lunch and giveaways.

“Our County health team is always looking for ways to assist the public in improving their health and well-being,” said Bill Horn, Chairman, San Diego County Board of Supervisors. “This event is another opportunity to present information about ways to increase life expectancy, reduce absenteeism and lower health costs.”

Buettner and his team of researchers have traveled across the globe to discover what he calls “Blue Zones” — hotspots of human health and vitality. Working with the National Institute on Aging, he identified five small populations with the world’s highest life expectancy. Then he isolated the common denominators that explain extraordinary longevity: What is the optimal diet for making it to a healthy age 90? Should you be running marathons or doing yoga? What supplements work? Does stress really shorten your life?  

Buettner debunks the most common myths and offers a science-backed blueprint for the average American to live an additional 12 quality years. He takes you into the world’s five Blue Zones, tells stories and teaches how to get more life from your years and more years from your life. His second book “Thrive — Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way,” was released in October.

“The Vital Aging Conference is an important event for the County’s Live Well, San Diego! initiative,” said Nick Macchione, Director, San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency. “Supporting healthy choices is one of the goals of the initiative, and the Blue Zones presentation as well as the focus on walking, fitness and healthy eating directly addresses this important issue.”

Reservations are required for the free Vital Aging Conference; RSVP at 1-877-926-8300.  For more information, visit www.walkhealthysandiego.org. The event is also sponsored by AARP, Humana, Healthways Silver Sneakers, North County Community Action Network (NorCAN) and the Carlsbad Senior Center.



Parks and Rec/HHSA Team Up for Family Day April 30

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Families are encouraged to stretch their legs in a day of fitness and fun at the sixth-annual It’s How We Live! Family Day in the Park health festival in Spring Valley.

This year’s event promises an invigorating line-up of activities, entertainment and giveaways. Besides sampling nutritious food and taking in healthy cooking demos, participants can get free health screenings, including body fat analyses and dental screenings. Experts will offer exercise and injury prevention tips, while a DJ and dance performances build positive vibes.

Prizes and giveaways will include pedometers and cookbooks. A climbing wall, crafts, games and inflatable jumps will engage and energize kids.

New this year: a “Green Zone” with hands-on activities and a focus on topics like recycling and energy efficiency to keep our environment healthy as well.

And for the first time, the event kicks off with a one-mile Family Fun Walk in support of Child Abuse Prevention Month. In 2010 there were over 74,000 calls to the County’s child abuse hotline, and the walk is intended to raise awareness of the issue while families enjoy a healthy activity together.

Participants can register for the walk online at http://8196.bbnc.bbcust.com/page.aspx?pid=358 or at 9 a.m. on day of the event.

The festival is from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, at Spring Valley Park, 8735 Jamacha Boulevard.

The event is hosted by the San Diego County Department of Parks and Recreation, the County Health and Human Services Agency, the County Commission on Children, Youth and Families and the Promises2Kids Foundation. 

Parking and admission are free. For more information, please visit www.sdparks.org.

Earth Week Recycling Event

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It's spring cleaning time, and time to clear away the clutter you've accumulated. If you find batteries or compace fluorescent bulbs (no tubes, though) amongst the piles of stuff you no longer want, you're in luck.

The County's annual recycling event is Wednesday, April 20th from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. on the West Plaza of the County Administration Center.

You're encouraged to bring in your used batteries and compact fluorescent light bulbs for recycling and you'll be rewarded by being eligible for prizes, including a Sony Vaio Eco-Series laptop, a solar mailbox and green product gift baskets.

Compact fluorescent bulb disposal kits will also be available while supplies last and experts will be on hand to answer questions about recycling.

HHSA Program Featured During County Government Month

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During County Government Month in April, the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) is featuring 14 award-winning programs, including one from the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency. The goal of TEAM San Diego is for multiple providers to work together to improve access to comprehensive and coordinated health and social programs for individuals with complex needs.

County Honors 20 Volunteers for Service

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The Board of Supervisors thanked 20 volunteers for their service to County government this week as part of National Volunteer Week. Here are a few of their stories and how they are making a difference in their communities.

Certainly, their work has benefitted various department programs and the public, but many volunteers said they have gained from their experience and that is why they continue their work.

Pat Jordon, Department of Animal Services

Nearly every day for the last three years, Pat Jordon of San Diego has gotten up early and gone to the San Diego County Animal Shelter on Gaines Street to walk and socialize dogs that are staying long-term or have special medical needs.

“She has literally saved the mental stability of countless dogs,” said Marlena Young, Department of Animal Services Volunteer Coordinator. “She’s been really caring.”

The dogs that Jordon works with are a more challenging group of dogs than the general dog population at the shelter. She works with dogs that are part of dog hoarding or neglect cases.

Young says not all volunteers have the extra training to work with this group because some dogs have been abused and some are not nice. Often those dogs are housed for several months. Without volunteers like Young, many of these dogs would never have a happy ending; they would languish during their stay and could not be adopted out later when the case was over.

Jordon spends about three hours a day at the shelter, even helping out with scheduling other volunteers and preparing special treats for the dogs.

“It fulfills me,” Jordon says simply. “They have a special place in my heart.”

Hessy Williams, Foster Youth Mentor Program

Child Welfare Services volunteer Hessy Williams of San Diego has given between nine and 20 hours a month for the past two years mentoring an elementary age girl.

“I feel like I get more out of this than she does,” Williams said.

She tries to be a balanced, caring role model for the child and exposes her to museums, parks and wholesome fun.

Perhaps, the best endorsement of Williams’ work comes from her foster mentee who said, “She is nice and generous. She can put up with a lot from me. When I grow up, I want to be a mentor like her to make changes in foster kids’ lives.”

John Williams, Poway Library

Do you like what you do? John Williams, who has managed the Friends of the Poway Library bookstore for the past 10 years, said he just loves books and being around people who share his love of reading.

Williams said he worked in a library in school and later ran official libraries in the U.S.Navy, or unofficial libraries on his ship when deployed at sea. He imparted his passion for books to his daughter, who is a librarian in Hawaii.

He gives five hours a day, five days a week working in the store and receiving, sorting and managing its extensive and always changing book inventory. Library officials estimate he has worked more than 10,000 hours.

“(Volunteering) keeps you young. It keeps you invested in the community and it’s fun,” Williams said. “You want to do something you enjoy.”

Charla Cranor, Farm & Home Advisor

          The Volunteer of the Year recipient who has served the longest this year was Charla Cranor  of Alpine who has worked with the San Diego County 4-H Youth Development Program for 23 years. She estimates she has contributed more than 10,000 hours over the years.

            When her children expressed an interest in the program, Cranor got involved. Her children stayed in the program until they were 19 years old and Cranor kept going. Now, her grandsons are getting involved.

She started out as a project leader working directly with 4-H youth members. She has now gone on to take on the role of president of the county-wide volunteer leaders’ council providing leadership for program planning, fund development and communication for the 4-H Youth Development activities within the County of San Diego.

Ultimately, Cranor said, she just stands behind the program and the life lessons it imparts to youth.

            “It’s a good mentor program,” Cranor said. “It gives (youth) a healthy place to hang out and it helps them to develop character.”

             For a complete list of the volunteers and to learn more about the volunteer program, visit http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/Portal/News/2011/Apr/041311volunteers.html.