INSIDE THIS ISSUE: October Fun COME JOIN US! The El Mirage Senior Center is open to all El Mirage residents ages 55 and older. We offer a place for seniors to come socialize, learn, exercise, and have fun. For more information contact: (623) 876-4232 Pgs. 2-3 Photos Pg. 4 Healthy Living Activities/ Puzzles Pg. 5 Pg. 6 Calendars Pgs. 7-8 Volunteers Needed! Our center depends on the help of our wonderful volunteers, and it s about that time to update our volunteer lists. If you are interested in volunteering, please see Danielle with what days you are available. Thank you for all you do! THE CONNECTION Senior Center Newsletter V O L U M E 1, I S S U E 7 November Highlights Nov. 2nd Election Day Make Sure you Vote. Nov. 3rd - Committee Meeting 9:30am. Nov. 5th- Organ Stop Pizza 4-8:30pm Nov. 5th Treasure Box Deadline to Frank $31.00 You need to Pick Up Nov. 20th Nov. 11th Closed Veterans Day Nov. 15th Fame Performance 8:15-11:45 Valley Vista High School Theatre Nov. 17th Diabetes Speaker Nov. 19th -Gila River Casino Trip 10-4 Nov. 24th November Birthday & Thanksgiving Day Party & Julia w/a Twist Nov. 25th and 26th Closed for Thanksgiving N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 0 Coordinator s Corner Wow! October was a great month filled with new leadership in our Committee Group, two wonderful trips, one to the Arizona Pioneer Living Museum and the other to the Arizona State Fair, presentations, competitions and fun. November s looking like another wonderful month with a lot to be grateful for as we begin the Holiday Season. I m extremely grateful for all of our fantastic volunteers who make our Center the special place that it is. All of the special people who make our center successful, and of course I m grateful for you, all of our participants and your families who make the El Mirage Senior Center a wonderful place to meet and be surrounded by so many special people. Thank you for being you and I look forward to the fun of November. Danielle Padia-Coordinator Reserve your lunch at least 24 hours in advance! Interested in advertising? Contact 623-876-4232 for more information about an inexpensive way to advertise in our newsletter.
F A L L F E S T I V A L
Senior Committee Elections! Congratulations to OUR new Officers. President Lily Moreno Vice President Barb Steagall Sectary Eloise Bah Treasurer-Berta Mc Queen Vice Treasure Ginny Sparrow Thank you for all who participated in the Salsa Fest. The Next Meeting is November 3rd at 9:30am. Looking for Writers Anyone who wants to contribute to the newsletter speak with Danielle for Details Another Great Trip this month,this time to the Arizona State Fair. We had a great time in are Pumpkin Carving Contest everyone did a Wonderful Job. Congratulations to Mario Campos, who won the carving contest, to include a tongue sticking out of the pumpkin. Also Congratulations to the Ginny Sparrow, and Sabima Garica the winners in our Costume Contest. The Pot Luck was delicious a Great Big Thank You to everyone who brought the fantastic goodies. Can you find the total number of turkeys on this Newsletter? Find the exact amount and get a prize.
How to Carve Your Turkey Successfully. A good Thanksgiving dinner is usually about the turkey. You don t have to be a surgeon to carve one correctly, but proper carving and slicing techniques will ensure you get the most meat from your bird and enable you to present an attractive meal to your family and friends. Follow these simple techniques for successfully carving your holiday turkey: Let your 10-pound-or-bigger turkey stand at room temperature for 10 to 20 minutes after cooking and before slicing. This allows the juices to distribute evenly throughout the turkey. Netting and cooking bags are also easier to remove after waiting. Slice or carve the turkey on a sanitized cutting surface. Knives, pans, and covers should be sanitized, too. Resanitize boards and knives every 30 minutes. Wear disposable food-handling gloves while carving or frequently wash your hands thoroughly. Immediately after the 10 to 20 minutes holding time, carve the turkey into major sections (i.e., breasts, thighs, drumsticks,and wings). To serve turkey hot, place sections in pans. Cover with foil or plastic film to retain heat and moisture and to minimize the possibility of contamination. Hold at 140 F or higher in a hot holding device (a cabinet, steam table, or bain-arie). Your turkey should be at least 140 F when placed in the holding pans. The heating device will only maintain temperature. A maximum holding time of 20 to 30 minutes is recommended. First Draft November 2010 Is this How Your Years of Experience has taught you? Have a great Holiday. Slice the sections into serving pieces, arrange them on a plate, and add garnish. Enjoy! What is a Moment Really Worth? On the bulletin board of a California company, someone once posted this sign to remind everyone of how time is relative but the value of time is priceless: To realize the value of one year: Ask the student who has failed his final exam. To realize the value of one month: Ask the mother who has given birth to a premature baby. To realize the value of one week: Ask the editor of a weekly newspaper. To realize the value of one day: Ask the daily wage laborer who has 10 kids to feed. To realize the value of an hour: Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet. To realize the value of a minute: Ask the person who has missed the train, the bus, or the plane. To realize the value of a second: Ask the person who has survived an accident. To realize the value of a millisecond: Ask the person who has won a silver medal in the Olympics. First Draft November 2010 We here at the El Mirage Senior Center Value All the Time we have with You and are Thankful for your Participation.
Health & Wellness Laughter is good for your health Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after. Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease. Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain. Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems. The Benefits of Laughter Physical Health Benefits: Mental Health Benefits: Social Benefits: Boosts immunity Lowers stress hormones Decreases pain Relaxes your muscles Prevents heart disease Adds joy and zest to life Eases anxiety and fear Relieves stress Improves mood Enhances resilience Strengthens relationships Attracts others to us Enhances teamwork Helps defuse conflict Promotes group bonding Simplified Turkey Marbella Prunes are a good source of vitamin A, potassium, and copper, as well as fiber. Ingredients: 1 ½ - 2 lbs. Turkey, thighs or breasts without the skin 1 onion chopped 1 or 2 cloves of garlic crushed 2 cups of prunes (~ 8 oz) 2 cups balsamic vinegar 2 cups water 1 tsp. salt Fresh ground black pepper Herbs (i.e. oregano, thyme, basil, rosemary) Enjoy! Gobble, gobble Directions: 1. Place all ingredients into a large baking dish (9x12 pan works well) so that the turkey is almost completely covered by the liquid. 2. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes 3. Turn oven down to 325 degrees for another 15 or 20 minutes
Senior Activities BINGO Tuesday and Thursday am Come play prize BINGO. We play several games and there are many different ways to win. Grand prize cover all game is a free meal! Jewelry Making Monday a.m. Come learn how to create a wide variety of crafts for free. An instructor will teach you the art of making something out of nothing! Rummage Sale Friday 9-9:30 a.m. Every week come by and pick up some gently used clothing, jewelry, and household goods for a very reasonable price. Donation of goods are accepted, but the items must be in great shape. Guest Lectures During the month there will be a variety of guest lecturers covering many topics from exercise to joint pain. Check the calendar for more information. Movie Wednesdays On certain Wednesdays of the month, come experience movies and popcorn. Each week is a different movie, and we are willing to take suggestions. Senior Strides Monday and Friday 9-9:30am Get moving and take a walk around the neighborhood with fellow seniors. Progress will be tracked and prizes are awarded as milestones are reached. Blood Pressure Checks 3rd Tuesday of every month at 10:30am The El Mirage Fire Department will be stopping by once a month to check blood pressure and to get to know the seniors of El Mirage. BUNCO Friday 10:00-11:00 a.m. A fun, laid-back dice game. Easy to learn, so new comers are welcome! Prizes awarded for most BUNCO s, most wins, and most losses. Exercise Class Monday & Friday 9:30-10:00 a.m. Do balance and strength training exercises using bands and medicine balls. Enjoy this Months Puzzle
November 2010 - Activities Calendar 1 Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Blood Pressure Check 2 3 MOVIE 9:15-11:15 Committee Meeting 4 5 BUNCO 10-11 Deadline for Treasure Box $30.00 Organ Stop Pizza 4-8:30 8 9 10 Mercy Housing SWAT Event at Arizona Mills MOVIE 9:15-11:15 11 Closed for Veteran s Day 12 BUNCO 10-11 Rummage Sale 9-10 15Blood Pressure Check Fame Show 8:15-11:45 16 17 MOVIE 9:15 11:15 Diabetes Guest Speaker 10:30 18 19 BUNCO 10-11 Gila River Casino Trip 10-4 22 23 Fire Dept. Blood Pressure Check 24 Thanksgiving and November Birthday Party Julia with a Twist 25 Happy Thanksgiving Center is Closed 26 Happy Day After Thanksgiving Center is Closed 29 30
November 2010 - Lunch Menu Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri 1 Rosemary Chicken Breast Pasta w/veggies Applesauce 2 Breaded Pork Chop Baked Yams Asparagus Spears Strawberry Shortcakes 3 BBQ Chicken Breast Baked Potato Broccoli & Cauliflower Banana 4 Beef Tips w/pasta Salad Green Beans Tropical Fruit 5 Fish Sandwich Tomato Soup Coleslaw Apricots 8 Stuffed Bell Pepper Salad Pears 9 Ranch Style Chicken Baked Potato Asparagus Spears Apricots 10 Pork Roast Mashed Potatoes Carrots Applesauce 11 Closed Veterans Day 12 Beef Chimichanga Refried Beans Spanish Rice Tropical Fruit 15 Chicken Patty on Bun Potato Salad Cheese & Pea Salad Gelatin w/pears 16 Salisbury Steak Mashed Potatoes Peas & Carrots Orange Wedges 17 Sweet & Sour Pork Broccoli Wild Rice Mix Tropical Fruit 18 Spaghetti & Meatballs Salad Italian Veggies Apricots 19 Italian Chicken Pasta w/veggies Spinach Orange Wedges 22 Chicken Salad w/egg Salad Minestrone Soup Mandarin Oranges 23 BBQ Pork Potato Wedges Mixed Veggies Apple 24 Hot Turkey Sandwich Mashed Potatoes Brussels Sprouts Grapes 25 Closed Happy Thanksgiving 26 Closed Happy Thanksgiving 29 Chicken Enchiladas Refried Beans Corn Grapes 30 Chef s Salad Cream of Broccoli Soup Gelatin W/Peaches Reservations are required 24 hours in advance. Call 623-876-4232 All meals are served with milk and whole wheat bread. The cost of each meal is $2.50.