VENICE: Black Tie Auction February 9, 2008!

YMCA Annual PARTNERS WITH YOUTH Fundraising Campaign!

This year's PARTNERS WITH YOUTH campaign theme is "Change From Every Dollar", and our goal is to raise $50,000 to benefit our YMCA Children and Family Scholarship Fund and provide new programs and services for people of all ages in Englewood and Venice, regardless of their ability to pay.

In the past year, our YMCA provided $518,129 in financial assistance to more than 1300 people for YMCA programs such as preschool and school-age childcare, youth sports, summer camps, swim lessons, gymnastics, and more.   We partnered with more than 60 schools, churches, and local organizations, and provided the use of our facilities to many of these groups at no charge.   The YMCA is here to serve our community. 

·         Women's Wellness Day and Expo! Saturday, January 19th, 8:30 am-1:30pm Sponsored by the South County Family YMCA-Venice and Venice Regional Medical Center.  Spend a morning getting your New Year off to a great healthy start!  Speakers, food, chair massages and vendors.  Key Note speaker will be Robin Rose, Ph.D. and E.D. of "A Higher Path".  Robin will help participants reach higher levels of understanding of themselves and others to ensure peaceful and harmonious interpersonal, work and family interactions.  Gift bags to the first 30 women to register.  $29.00 members for pre-registration before January 12^th, $39.00 members registering the week of January 13, and $49.00 for non-members.   No "day of" registration. 

·         Girls on the Run!  Girls on the Run is a 12 week program offered at local after school locations and combines training for a 5K run/walk event with life changing self-esteem building lessons that enhance social, physical and mental health in girls 3^rd-5^th grade.  New program starts week of January 28^th.  The official GOTR 5k event will be Saturday, April 26^th.  Cost: 59.00 members, $89.00 non-members.   (Scholarships available).  Register at the YMCA or call Deb Betterly at 941-375-9113 for more information.  Volunteers needed for coaches and assistant coaches-training provided. 

·         Kids ZUMBA! This fun new class for kids will include great music and dancing!  Think "High School Musical"!  You won't believe how much fun exercise can be and how good you can really dance! Tuesdays at 4:15pm with instructor Nicole Burnham.  Free to members. 

·         Group Circuit Training-Circuit Express! Do you need more accountability and to have someone push you beyond what you would normally do on your own? Then this class is for you!  It is a small group (4-8) doing circuit style training for strength and cardio using the free motion and various cardio stations in training intervals.  Led by certified personal trainer Lucia Elsadek.  Members only.  $10.00 per class, 10 classes for $85.00 or 20 classes for $170.00.  Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:00-2:00 pm.  Register at front desk.  First come, first serve according to spots available. 

·         New Yoga Seminar! Asana on the Ball Saturday, January 12th, from 10:30 am to 12:30, Nancy Zampella will be conducting another of her famous yoga seminars!  The body is a complex marriage of systems and structure.  By blending the complimentary modalities of body rolling and yoga, you will get a direct experience of how myofascial release can assist you in accelerating your practice.  After lengthening the muscles to release long-help tension and other impingements, we will proceed into challenging poses, finding them easier and more pleasurable that before.  Join Nancy as she shares this multi-faceted approach to greater self-discovery.   Cost: $20.00 Y members, $30.00 non-members.  Please register by Thursday, January 9^th. 

·        New! Fitness Tennis! Fitness Tennis is an exciting group tennis activity featuring drills to give players of all abilities an ultimate, high energy workout.  Classes are held on Mondays, beginning December 3^rd from 9:15-10;15.  Classes will be at Stoneybrook at Venice Community Center tennis courts and limited in size so register early by calling Nicole Burnham at 941-306-9666.  $10.00 per class paid to the instructor. 

·       Basic Training Boot Camp: Serious fitness, serious results!  This class will help you improve your endurance, strength and agility.  All ages and levels of fitness welcome.  A healthier, leaner, stronger you is just around the corner!  6 Weeks Starting January 14th -February 22nd, 5:30-6:30 AM, Monday, Wednesday and Friday in Studio B and outside.  We will also have an evening session 5:30-6:30 PM on the same Days.  Members: $49.00, Non-members: $69.00

·       Team Tiara.  If you are thinking about running or walking in the Sarasota half or full marathon in March, consider being a part of Team Tiara and using the power of running to make a difference for our local girls.  This is the charity running "leg" for Girls on the Run, Int. and donations will go to our local council.  Just 3 simple steps:  1.  Pay $26.00 to participate in Team Tiara.  2.  Register for the half or full marathon.  3.  Raise a minimum of $262.00 by getting friends and family to sponsor you $1.00 or $2.00 per mile.  Sign up now by calling Deb Betterly, Wellness Director, at 941-492-9622.  Free t-shirt, singlet and other gifts for those who participate!

·        Pre-teen Fitness classes meet Wednesday evenings at 6:15-7:00 pm for 4 weeks each month.  The next session starts January 9^th-Jan. 30^th.  Pre-teen ages 11 and 12 will have fun learning proper form and a great new fitness routine safe for their age group using the Bosu, stability balls, hand weights and more.  They will also learn how to properly use the cardio machines as well as proper wellness center etiquette.  Once they've completed the 4 weeks, they will take a test to show what they've learned and receive their certification to use the Wellness Center with a parent.  $25.00 for members only. 

·         Walking Challenge! Free to members-Sign up at any time!Sign up in the binder at the front desk.  Keep track of miles in binder.  Earn 100 mile, 500 mile and 1000 mile t-shirts!  Free beginner program handout available.  Start now!