February is American Heart Month and a great time to pause and take stock of what you're doing to maintain a healthy heart. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, contributing to about 600,000 deaths each year.
As a leading nonprofit for healthy living, the Y is committed to improving the nation's health and well-being. Through proven disease prevention programs and initiatives to improve cardiovascular health, the Y is helping decrease the number of people diagnosed with or at risk of developing serious health issues like heart disease.
Show your heart some love by considering these tips to help you maintain a healthy heart:
- Decrease the amount of salt in your diet. Eat fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables and read nutrition labels. Dietary guidelines recommend Americans limit their sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day.
- Be physically active for at least 150 minutes a week to help maintain a healthy weight and lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
- Don't smoke. Using tobacco greatly increases the risk for heart disease. Find helpful information about tobacco use and quitting at www.smokefree.gov.
- Monitor your blood pressure and take medications prescribed by your doctor to keep blood pressure at a healthy level.
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 Grieving the loss of her husband, Carole was encouraged by a friend to join her water aerobics class at the Y. She joined and found a support group she never expected. When the new facility was built, Carole began participating in the SliverSneakers program and several other activities offered for active older adults. During a cardio class, Carole kept catching her shoe on the brand new shiny floors and accidentally tripped. Hoping she hadn't been noticed she was a bit embarrassed when a kind gentleman, Jerry, next to her helped her up.
As she continued attending various programs, the same gentleman was often in the classes and over time they became friends and discovered they were both widowed. Eventually, he asked her to join him for coffee, one thing led to another and they started "going steady." We are happy to report they are now married. This year they will celebrate Valentine's Day with a potluck at the Central Y after their SilverSneakers Class.
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John EhrbarVP of Operations
 John Ehrbar has accepted the position of Vice President of Operations for the YMCA of the Inland Northwest, effective December 30, 2013. Most recently John has been the COO/VP of Operations at the Lake County YMCA in Ohio. Additionally he has experience with camp, as a Teen/Sports Director, Associate Executive and Branch Executive Director. He has documented success in the areas of staff leadership, membership attraction and retention, program development and quality, and has shown great proficiency in community engagement and collaborations. John has also been a Rotarian, served on a local school board as well as committees with both the local Chamber of Commerce and United Way.
Bethany Kennedy
Association Membership Director
Bethany Kennedy has accepted the position of Association Membership Director for the YMCA of the Inland Northwest, effective January 6, 2014.
Most recently Bethany has been the Operations Director for the Downtown YMCA in Phoenix leading the membership, health and wellness, and hotel functions. She brings demonstrated success in membership sales and especially retention efforts. Additionally, Bethany has very strong experience in the high end club industry having worked in the Bellevue/Seattle area for a number of years. She is a native of Western Washington and will be joined in her move by her husband Jason, who is a native of Spokane!
You should know that we had a great pool of candidates from which to choose as we searched to fill these staff vacancies. This only speaks to the fact that our YMCA is viewed as successful, vibrant and tremendously impactful which speaks to all your efforts to make us so. With the additions of John and Bethany we have strengthened an already strong team and are poised for even greater success in the future.
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Concussion recognition and prevention have recently become major areas of focus in youth sports. The state of Washington passed its first concussion in sports law in 2009 inspired by Zackery Lystedt, a young man who suffers from lasting effects of severe head trauma sustained in a high school football game. Between 2009 and 2012, 43 states passed laws concerning concussions and youth sport participants.
 Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury which can alter the way your brain normally functions. All concussions are serious, most occur without loss of consciousness. Proper response when the incident occurs can help prevent further injury or even death. Nationally, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention provides free training materials and classes. The YMCA is diligent in educating and preparing our coaches in how to prevent, identify and treat concussions.
KXLYNews 4 ran a story on football injuries among young athletes. Pat Estes, Association Youth Sports Director, was able to share what the Y is doing to keep our players safe. The Y provides training to all coaches on an annual basis and limits practice to 90 minutes a day, 3 days a week. Although it has only been 4 years since Washington State passed concussion laws, the Y has had rules and training in place for over a decade. YMCA of the USA is interested in providing information to Y's across the country to prevent concussions and has recognized Pat Estes as one of the strongest resources on this subject. Thank you Pat for showing our community one more way the Y is more than just a gym |
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Register Today for the Windermere Marathon and Half Marathon
June 1, 2014
YMCA Members get $5 off your registration - For you and your guests!! Use coupon code YMCA2014Get 10 friends to register, get your entry fee refunded! Don't want to run? You can still donate to support the
YMCA's mission here.
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Fifty-Nine Diverse Student Leaders Earn Full Act Six Leadership Scholarships
Amidst this week's Seahawk Super Bowl frenzy, there is another reason for Pacific Northwest communities to cheer. The Act Six Leadership and Scholarship Initiative announced today that 59 emerging urban and community leaders across the Puget Sound region, Portland, Spokane and the Yakima Valley will receive full-tuition, full-need scholarships to George Fox University, Gonzaga University, Heritage University, Northwest University, Pacific Lutheran University, Trinity Lutheran College, Warner Pacific College, and Whitworth University. Collectively, the awards will provide more than $8 million in financial aid over four years. Click here to read more
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