Friends in the City

Friends in the City Newsletter


April, 2014

Rare1
Forty-four from FitC Salute the New Navy Yard
"I've lived in Philadelphia for 13 years," said FitC member Irene McCarthy, "and all I heard about was 'The Navy Yard, The Navy Yard.' But I never got here...until now." And Irene saw much to impress her. 

 

Larger in area than Center City, the Philadelphia Navy Yard is still home for mothballed ships waiting to be converted to museums or to be melted into new uses, including the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy. But the Yard is now owned by the City of Philadelphia and operated as a large-scale business park and incubator. 

FitC member and Navy veteran Rick Linder explaining the drydock behind him.  Urban Outfitters Building 543 in the background houses the large cafe seating over 300.

In addition to the Aker Shipyard, the Tasty Baking Company, Urban Outfitters, and several U.S. Navy-related companies, many large and small companies have the Yard as their home base. Several of its original buildings, some dating from the 19th 
century and some once used as officers' quarters, still stand although converted to commercial functions. In an hour-long walking tour, two groups of FitCians saw and heard a lot about this vast but little-visited area of our city.  Read more 
FlowerMarket1
If the Shoe Fits, FitC Visits...
by Sue Kruse
null
Tour leader Barbara Williams (l.) with four FitCians beside huge decorated shoe mold.
At least two of the shoes at Philadelphia's Shoe Museum were almost large enough for our group of seven to fit into! Enjoying both an historical and whimsical tour of the history of shoes -- from Egyptian burial sandals to beautiful shoes worn by some of our First Ladies to teen fashion in the past two decades -- our small group enjoyed a two-hour 
look at the many displays at the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine at 8th and Race Streets on March 12. 
 
Some of the shoes were tiny -- the "lily shoes" used to bind the feet of young Chinese girls -- or large, as are the size 18 circus giant's shoes on display. And some were actually huge (see the photo above). These were part of a group of 12 molds made by a Moore College alumna and distributed to 12 other alumnae to be decorated in celebration of the school's 160th Anniversary as the first and only visual arts college for women in the United States. The shoe collection was opened for Philadelphia's Bicentennial celebration in 1976.
 
Curator Barbara Williams explained the displays enthusiastically. And after the tour some of those attending went to Rangoon Burmese restaurant to enjoy lunch and conversation. It was FitC's third group to visit the Shoe Museum for a fun jaunt!
 
[It is really easy to organize a tour of the Shoe Museum. All you need to do is contact the Program Committee (Jane Weiss [email protected] or Pam Freyd [email protected]) and then make a phone call and select a date. The Committee will take care of flyers and notices and registration.]

Three-inch golden lotus shoe of a Chinese woman whose feet had been bound.

winter1
FitC Wide Awake at the Penn Sleep Lab!
by Toni Linder 

"When you enter our world, you enter a very special place," said Professor David Dinges, Chief of the Division of Sleep and Chronobiology at Penn Medicine. Imagine lying in a bed, electrodes and monitors hooked to you, an attendant constantly with you, all your food and drink and bathroom visits monitored and/or controlled. The lighting is dim (you are vaguely aware that the blue melatonin rays have been removed) and there is little noise. You have not slept for -- how long? You can't tell, because no one will tell you. Occasionally you can watch TV but it might not be real-time. What is going on in the outside world? You go to sleep. You are awakened. You don't know how long you've slept. Is this science fiction? 
 
No, it is the "very special place" of Penn's Sleep Lab, which studies sleep deprivation and its effects and is the only one in the US (and perhaps the world) that can accommodate continuous long-term studies in an isolated space. In a special February tour for FitC, Professor Dinges gave us far more than a mere look-around at a small number of rooms where subjects had agreed to remain for sleep-related testing over a period of time, often weeks. He lectured, he joked, he used terms we may never or rarely have heard (circadian rhythmchronochaos), and talked almost nonstop for the 2� hour tour of the lab and a slide show. Yet none of us were bored and we could have stayed to learn more.  Read more 
balletx1
I Listened: FitC Panelists Discuss Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids
by Lynne Yermanock Strieb

My son, the audiologist, tested my hearing two years ago as part of a research project. I wasn't surprised because I'd been asking "What?" a lot in conversations and that was starting to bother me. Although he told me that I had a hearing loss, I never got around to buying hearing aids; I just kept putting it off -- we moved from a house to an apartment, my husband was suffering from back problems and needed my help, and of course my hearing wasn't that bad. 
 
Now that we're settled in our new apartment and my husband's health has improved, I am finally ready to make an appointment with an audiologist. FitC's program on hearing loss and hearing aids, called What Was That You Said?, held Thursday, March 13 at Riverfront, came just in time.
 
FitC panelists on hearing loss (l. to r.) Mignon Adams, Seamus Kearney, Ted Reed, and Karen Clark.  Not shown: panelist Pat McGeever.
Two questions framed the program: How do you know you need a hearing aid? How do you go about getting one? The five panelists responded with personal stories and helpful advice for the approximately 30 attendees.  Read more 
hirise
Getting to Know FitC Member Joan Countryman
by Marilyn Sandberg

Joan Countryman began the FitC Brown Bag lunch talk by reading "Domestic Bliss," her poem about struggles with strollers, children outgrowing the clothes in the ironing basket while you read to them, sadness when they leave for college, mixed feelings at their inevitable return home after college.  Joan then opened the session for the seventeen members gathered at Riverfront on March 5 by asking "What would you like to hear about?

 

Joan Countryman (standing) responding to questions by FitCers.

"Africa. Tell us about the school." So Joan told us the story of her connection with the leadership academy founded by Oprah Winfrey in 2006. She described interviewing girls who would have no other chance for education beyond 7th grade; looking for girls who had what Winfrey called "It"; and speaking at the school's opening along with Nelson Mandela -- memorable experiences for her and the girls she helped.   Read more 

shanghai1
By the Numbers
As FitC membership expands (266 as of March 31), we have friends not only in the city, but all over the city. Our members live in 35 different zip codes...the largest number in Center City's 19103, but many in the burbs and even a few in New Jersey. We reside in high-rise buildings, apartments, townhouses and single family dwellings. Many members make their home in Academy House or William Penn House. But no matter where we live, we come together as one for all our programs, trips and various clubs.
shanghai1
What Do Your Dues Do?
FitC is a volunteer organization; almost all of our work is done by members and financed by contributions and out-of-pocket donations. FitC dues pay for the infrastructure that makes FitC work. Dues are used to maintain a website, a database, software to manage membership and send out the newsletter, and a part-time membership coordinator. Our organization also has periodic fees and expenses. Your support in the form of dues and contributions makes FitC possible. 
manna1
From the Editor
Our Newsletter is now indexed. What does that mean? It means that you have a reference tool and can look for topics, names, events, people and photos that have appeared in this and past issues. If you or a friend were named, if you wanted to recollect a trip or tour, and if you found an article's topic interesting enough to check it out, the Index can help you locate such information. Go for it, and thank our Indexer, Assistant Editor Ruth DeCou.
____________________________________
When at a FitC event, you are likely to see one of your fellow attendees with a camera or smart phone snapping photos. The purpose is to document that people attended the event and did or saw something interesting. If you are reluctant to have your image publicized in this Newsletter or in other FitC publicity, you should immediately speak up. You need have no special reason -- a bad hair day or whatever -- to tell the photographer that you don't want your image reproduced. Otherwise we will assume that our picture-taking is acceptable.
readingterm1
Fall Prevention Workshop - Always Take Extra Care
On March 26th, 25 FitCians and residents of William Penn House gathered in that 
building's community room to hear Barbara Jankowski of the Ralston Wellness Center in West Philadelphia talk about falling and its prevention. Barbara discussed how the body maintains its balance, how to exercise to maintain balance, how to get up if you fall and how to have someone help you up.  Read more
healthy1
Historical Society President Informs and Entertains FitC
by Bonnie Eisenfeld
Presenter Page Talbott takes a question from the audience, between program organizers Dane Wells (l.) and Deedee Bennett (r.)
On Wednesday, March 20, FitC members gathered at the Cosmopolitan Club for the lively and popular monthly Current Events Luncheon organized by Dane Wells. Page Talbott, newly appointed Interim President and CEO of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, spoke about Benjamin Franklin and the many Franklin myths for which there is no actual evidence. She recommended that we read his autobiography, a short and interesting book. 
 
For nearly forty years a strategic planner and curator for museums, libraries and historical societies, Talbott developed and planned the new Franklin Court Museum at Independence National Historical Park, which opened in August, 2013.

The Historical Society, located at 1300 Locust Street, specializes in local and regional history and ethnic and immigrant materials. The library contains 600,000 printed books, pamphlets, and microfilm film reels, 20 million manuscripts and 300,000 graphics items, encompassing over 350 years of America's history from the 17th-century to the present. For more information, see http://hsp.org/.

Researchers come to this library to use the historical documents and databases for a variety of reasons, one of the most popular being family genealogy. 
 
The Society also holds national treasures: the first draft of the United States Constitution, an original printer's proof of the Declaration of Independence, and the earliest surviving American photograph. The library is open for researchers who may either join for a year or pay by the day. Free introductory group tours may be arranged (http://hsp.org/plan-your-visit/group-visitsand FitC has one scheduled for May 14 -- look for an announcement.  
Else
What Else Has Been Going On?  Lots.
Walking groups have been doing their thing, and knitters, and foreign language clubs. Here are some photos.
Morris Animal Refuge Kennel manager Teia Brooks accepts snuggle blanket donated by FitC knitter Lesly Harris.
Knitters knitting in Sally Rosenthol's apartment.
Red scarves made by the
knitters going into storage; these will be fall gifts for former foster kids now in college.



Hebrew in the foreground, French next, Italian to the rear. Not shown: Spanish.
First sign of spring along the Schuylkill Trail.
A tree grows in stone and concrete.  What walkers see along the Schuylkill Trail.
Spring has returned Rufus to his old skateboarding routines.



rare2
Forty-four from FitC Salute the New Navy Yard (continued)
With information provided by the Yard itself, FitC went from building to building to see a remarkable intermingling of old and new military, commercial, and industrial uses. Near the Gatehouses, Crescent Drive is the location of very contemporary and completely "green" office buildings, including a winner of gold and another of platinum certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). 
 
One benefit of a walking tour with FitC is the life experience of our members. Several Navy veterans were in the two groups and added commentary to inform and entertain us. New member Rick Linder had spent the first eight months of his Navy career (1965-68) at The Philadelphia Navy Yard while his ship (the aircraft carrier USS Shangri-La) was being overhauled. He noted waggishly that he had not joined the US Navy to see South Philly.

 

Of course, once the ship got underway it made long cruises to the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, which provided a wonderful adventure for a very young junior officer. There were discomforts as well. "I was an Ensign in ops [Combat Information Center and Air Operations] and slept in the JO [junior officer] bunk room below the catapults," Rick recounted. "It got so hot we sought relief by sleeping in the gun tubs outside." 
Aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy in the background with the above referenced gun tub.
The photos show the rest of our visit, including our final stop for lunch at the open commons in Building 543, fashion headquarters of Urban Outfitters. Formerly a vast metal-working facility with 80-foot ceilings, much of this revamped building is now a bustling multi-cuisine lunch-only restaurant developed by chef-entrepreneur Steve Poses (think Frog and Commissary during Philadelphia's culinary renaissance). Seated at two large reserved tables we dined diversely and well on sushi, burgers, salads, soups, pizza, sandwiches, noodles and so forth, with few of us having the same meal -- a suitable conclusion to a grand tour.
Lunch at Urban Outfitters grand cafeteria.
 
Return to top of newsletter
winter2
FitC Wide Awake at the Penn Sleep Lab! (continued)
Dinges and his associates do research testing for NASA, DOT, DOD, DHS, NIH, along with their own studies, and they work with the National Space Biomedical Research Institute. These agencies sponsor such studies because human error is the root cause of most disasters we experience and read about, and sleep deprivation is a major correlative with human error. When truckers, pilots, or astronauts lack proper sleep, things can go very wrong.

Professor Dinges is enthusiastic about and protective of the freezers that store subjects' specimens.

Among the information we learned:
 
Test subjects are paid volunteers who are studied for the effects of sleep deprivation on their stress levels and on their task performance over a period of days or weeks. Their entire environment is controlled for light and noise as the staff controls sleeping regimens, ranging from normal sleep patterns to 4 hours of sleep a night, to no sleep for several days. Blood and saliva are collected and kept in huge freezers at -52C to be analyzed later. (One study focused on the relationship between sleep deprivation and weight gain and found that subjects allowed only 4 hours of sleep for 5 concurrent nights gained an average of more than 2 pounds when compared to non-restricted subjects.) 

Astronauts are the subjects of many of the studies. Dinges believes that when we send astronauts to Mars in the future, data collected during current studies will allow NASA to better evaluate their reactions to sleep deprivation, close living quarters, and differing atmospheric levels which they will live with for more than a year once on board the shuttle. Despite these handicaps, astronauts must maintain the high level of brain functioning required to operate the capsule. Russia just conducted a 520-day simulated Mars mission (Dinges was part of this testing) focusing on optical computer recognition of sleepiness/fatigue in spaceflight and detection of facial expressions of emotions. His 
finding that a slower eyelid blink correlated with sleep deprivation could be helpful for Space Control assessing alertness in astronauts already in space.
 
Circadian rhythms are also studied by the Sleep and Chronobiology Department, along with sleep and stress neurobiology. We heard that every cell in our body has its own circadian rhythm. 
 
Along with the many interesting facts about the Sleep Deprivation studies, Dinges also offered additional bits of information along the way: 
  • more heart attacks and strokes occur in the morning (related to circadian rhythms), 
  • astronauts tend to lose some vision in space due to pressure in the cranium, 
  • night eating is a disaster for weight gain, 
  • automated cars will be part of the future and an estimated 10,000 car deaths will be avoided in Germany alone when this occurs, 
  • there seems to be a correlation between sleep deprivation and suicides, and 
  • B-2 bombers today are in the air for 5 days straight with only 2 pilots. 
The tour was very interesting and informative, and FitC should offer it again. I LOVED it!

Return to top of newsletter 
balletx2
I Listened: FitC Panelists Discuss Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids  (continued)
Mignon Adams vowed that if she lost her hearing as her mother did, she would not pretend it was because people weren't speaking loud enough. 
 
Seamus Kearney told of "denial and progress." After his problems with hearing high sounds like alarms, music, and even the telephone ring, his wife insisted he be tested. 
 
Ted Reed's hearing loss is likely genetic -- his grandfather and father both lost their hearing. He adapted by reading lips, but one day at a client meeting he couldn't hear or read the lips of someone who had joined the meeting by telephone. So he knew he needed hearing aids. 
 
Because of a virus, when Karen Clark was just 40 she lost all the hearing in one ear and some in the other. 
 
Pat McGeever was diagnosed with M�ni�re's Disease, which led not only to balance problems but also to severe hearing loss. 
 
Following their stories, the panelists described their own hearing aids and adaptive devices. They described the process for getting them: choosing a place for testing; meeting with an audiologist who evaluates the test; buying a hearing aid; and servicing. One does not have to buy a hearing aid from the person who does the testing. It can even be purchased and serviced on line. Good hearing aids are expensive ($5000 and more) and, though the test and consultation are covered by Medicare, the devices themselves are not. 
 
Pat McGeever told everyone about the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA).
Though there was a national organization, when Pat arrived in Philadelphia no chapter existed in Center City. So Pat founded one. At group meetings people come to compare notes, complain, suggest tips for traveling with hearing loss, invite experts to speak, and discuss adaptive listening devices and new technology. As Karen said, "It's not just about getting a hearing aid; a hearing aid is not enough. You have to be an advocate for yourself." Joining HLAA is one way of doing that (see Selected Resources below).  
 
Now that I have all of this wonderful information, advice, and support from the FitC members on the panel I am feeling more confident about taking action to improve my hearing. My son, the audiologist, will be delighted. 
 
[Ed. note: to share this article and the accompanying list of selected resources, simply forward this issue of the Newsletter as suggested at the bottom of this e-mail.]

SELECTED RESOURCES FOR INFORMATION ABOUT HEARING AIDS

"The Cost of Hearing Aids Can Be Daunting," by Tom Avril, Philadelphia Inquirer,
March 10, 2014.

Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA).
Hearing-loss support and advocacy group and links to hearing professionals.
 
Pennsylvania office of HLAA.
Center-City Philly Chapter of HLAA meets 2d Thursdays, 7:00 PM at Philadelphia Ethical Society at 1906 S. Rittenhouse Sq.
 
The consumer site for the American Academy of Audiologists.
 
"A worldwide forum for people with hearing loss."

Consumer Reports on buying hearing aids, originally written in 2008 and updated in 2013. Excellent advice on selecting a supplier and purchasing an aid. Accessible without a subscription. 

About Lyric, written when it was first introduced.

What's loop technology?
 
Bluetooth technology and hearing aids
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/01/15/better-hearing-through-bluetooth/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0
Some hearing aid reviews... For many of the products covered by this site there are few or no reviews. 

Return to top of newsletter
readingterm2
Getting to Know FitC Member Joan Countryman (continued)
Next question: "Why are you involved in FitC? " Joan sees three main issues in aging: Where will I live? How will I manage health care? What will I do?

 

Joan had considered residence in Kendal, which had much to offer, but she concluded she was a "city kid." Hence the move to Riverfront and participation in FitC. With FitC Joan sees all of us "making options for ourselves" as we develop community. Healthy aging doesn�t mean the same thing for every person, she said, but it does require community. The group then talked about ways FitC members are working to provide that support for each other, focusing onwhat�s already happening and what might happen as Fit�C expands.

 

Then our lunch hour was over. Some FITC members stayed to ask Joan another  

question. One rushed off to teach a class of preschool children, another headed for a FitC play-reading group, two others kept the discussion going over a cup of coffee at a local cafe, two walked to the Reading Terminal, and another two went to the Flower Show. As Joan said: we're creating lots of options.
fallprev2
Fall Prevention Workshop - Always Take Extra Care (continued)
Body balance involves eyes, ears and feet. Since the eyes are of primary importance, you should be aware of changes in vision and have your eyes checked annually and prescriptions updated if you wear glasses. When people walk their eyes should be focused on the horizon, not looking down, since they tend to fall in the direction their eyes are looking. At the same time, periodically scan the walking surface ahead of you.  

Also, make sure walking areas in your home are visible and unobstructed. Have a night
light if you get up at night, and be sure halls and stairs are clear of any objects you might stumble over.
 
Since the ear system maintains our balance, make sure your ears are in good condition.
Even a cold can affect them -- and therefore your balance.
 
Feet are subject to a variety of changes as adults age, ranging from neuropathy to the simple loss of flexibility. Once again, having feet checked by your doctor is important, as is wearing good shoes and socks. Barbara suggested a number of exercises for the feet including:
  • Place feet flat on floor, lift toes while keeping heel on floor;
  • Reverse: lift heel while keeping toes on floor;
  • Give yourself a foot massage;
  • To improve balance, do simple leg exercises standing on one leg (might need to start by holding onto something and then later doing without support)
When getting up from a chair Barbara advised sitting on the edge first with legs spread wide and hands on thighs, then projecting yourself upward while exhaling. You can practice this too.
 
If you have fallen, she advises first assessing the situation--don't try to get up
immediately or let someone help you up right away, unless you've fallen in the middle of the street. First check how you feel and try to assess your condition. Her handout illustrated how to turn on your side and use a cane or another object to help you stand or have someone assist you.
FitC Membership
Get the Benefit
Friends in the City (FitC) is a non-profit organization of older adults in Center City Philadelphia.  We work to create a community of people who want to enjoy everything our city has to offer.  And we believe in giving back to institutions and organizations that work to help those in need. FitC programs are planned and organized by volunteers.

The annual fee to join FitC is just $60. We are happy to have guests attend our events, and we welcome those who want to sample an activity before becoming a member. FitC members receive priority notice of events that often fill up quickly. To join: Download, print and complete this form and send it with a check for $60. to FitC, P.O. Box 2002, Philadelphia, PA 19103 or pay using a credit card at our website www.FriendsCenterCity.org.
Friendly FitC Info


Try Our Enhanced and Easier to Use Discussion Forum

Use the FitC Forum to find resources, start a conversation, share information, or locate a volunteer opportunity. Go to the FitC website and join now. You may post if you're a member.

To sign up/register for the first time go to www.friendscentercity.org/forum and click on "new account" located on left hand side of page under login info.
Newsletter Volunteer Staff

Editor - Bob Weiss

Associate Editor - Liz Woy

Assistant Editor/Indexer - Ruth DeCou

Copy Editors - Cirel Magen, Elke Muller, Gerrie Schmidt

Layout/Distribution - Bobbi Cohen
Friends in the City | 267-639-5257 | [email protected] | www.friendscentercity.org
22 S. Front Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106

Mailing Address:  P.O. Box 2002, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Hi, just a reminder that you are receiving this email because you have expressed interest in Friends in the City. Please add [email protected] to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox.

You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive our emails.
 

Copyright � 2014. All Rights Reserved.