Lionhearted Nelson Mandela

We salute a man who taught the world how to fight for one's people,
brave in the face of prison bars,
noble in the forgiveness of his captors,
strong in his leadership of a new, united South Africa,
inspiring in the causes he espoused.

We love you, Nelson Mandela!

Beautiful Brookside Park in Maryland

Here are photos of a visit to the beautiful Brookside Park in Maryland with my sister Frances.  The photo with tropical plants including the banana trees, were taken in the conservatory.  The tulips were breathtaking!

Marion Ballysingh Award from CVSS

His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, Governor General Of Jamaica presents the Marion Ballysingh award to Hubert Chin who accepted on behalf of yours truly - I was unavoidably absent

There is Hubie flanked by two lovely ladies - good thing they are both my friends :)

Hubie, my husband received the CVSS Award for outstanding volunteerism on my behalf - he has been a wholehearted partner in all my outreach work:

 Here's a short poem from my book 'Souldance' in thanksgiving:
Under God's unblinking eye
We all have lived
We all have died
Dust and ash are wealth and glory
Our deeds are our enduring story

Life's trials are a test of love
Will you be vulture
Or will you be dove
Work is prayer - do it well
To cool the heat in someone's hell
Gently take your neighbour's hand
Then step lightly in this land.

- Jean Lowrie-Chin (from Souldance)

CCRP Jamaica honours Living Legacies

DEDICATED TO SERVICE - Sharon Deheney-Walker (left), Director, Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP) presents a Living Legacy Award to Gloria Robinson at the CCRP Lifestyle Expo on Saturday April 20. Robinson was one of six seniors who were awarded at the event for their contribution to national development in different areas. She was honoured for her many years of dedication to community service. The Living Legacy Awards feature is a continuation of CCRP’s tribute to outstanding Jamaicans. The Expo featured exhibits from the Jamaica Public Service, Grace Foods, British Caribbean Insurance Company (BCIC), HD Hopwood and Facey Commodity.

POTTINGERS HONOURED: Former Custos of St Mary, the Hon. Bobby Pottinger, and his wife, Colleen Pottinger, receive the BCIC Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP) Living Legacy Award for Agriculture and National Service from BCIC CEO Peter Levy (second right) and CCRP Chair Professor Denise Eldemire Shearer. Occasion was CCRP Jamaica's Third Anniversary celebrations themed 'Seniors on the Rise' at the Chinese Benevolent Association (CBA) on Saturday April 20, 2013.

SOME 200 ENJOY CCRP LIFESTYLE EXPO: VARIED EXHIBITS, REGIONAL & INTERNATIONAL LINKS, LATEST RESEARCH, HONOURING 6 MORE ‘LEGENDS’

 

Kingston, Jamaica, April 23, 2013: Nearly 200 vivacious seniors and their friends enjoyed a lively afternoon of important information combined with fun treats, at the third Anniversary Lifestyle Expo of the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP) Jamaica. This took place on Saturday afternoon April 20 and also featured the CCRP Annual General Meeting.  Venue was the roomy auditorium at the Chinese Benevolent Association on Hope Road. The theme was “Seniors Power on the Rise”.

Honoured “stars” of the afternoon were five distinguished nation builders presented with CCRP Living Legacy Awards highlighting their outstanding contributions to Jamaica. These were Gloria Robinson for Community Development; Thelma Jackson for Nursing and Education; Dotsie Gordon for Business and Community Development; Justice Hon. Lensley Wolfe for Justice, and Hon. Alaric and Coleen Pottinger for Agriculture and Community Development. Mrs. Jackson was unable to attend, so her husband Gladstone Jackson received the award on her behalf.

The 2013 Awards were a continuation of CCRP’s tribute to outstanding Jamaican seniors. In February of last year, the Association honoured 63 seniors at its Living Legacy Awards, as part of the country’s 50^th Anniversary celebrations. In June 2012, CCRP also recognised five veteran Jamaican Olympians, as a feature of its first Expo.

Partnering with CCRP to provide three of the prestigious Living Legacy Awards this year were Sagicor (Business and Community Development), National Commercial Bank (Justice) and BCIC (Agriculture and Community Development).

Other valued CCRP partners included exhibitors who showcased a range of products and services relevant for senior citizens, and indeed for all citizens. Jamaica Public Service had a fascinating array of the latest energy saving devices from its new E-Store. H.D. Hopwood showed pharmaceutical products. Facey Commodity exhibited food products for diabetics and GraceKennedy offered patrons health drinks and other welcome refreshments. Tastee and National Baking Company also provided snacks for guests.

CCRP Jamaica’s growing international links were highlighted by greetings from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), and a presentation by Edward Bushell, President of the Barbados Association of Retired Persons (BARP). The AARP sent hundreds of copies of two of its latest, very informative magazines. Mr. Bushell told CCRP members of the progress of BARP and its 33,000 members, and of its important linkages with sister organisations in the eastern Caribbean.

Serious advice on insurance and energy conservation was offered by presenter Simone Foote, Marketing Manager of BCIC and Jay McCoskey, Director, Customer Operations at JPS. Important findings of a recent study on ageing in Jamaica were shared by CCRP Chair Professor Denise Eldemire Shearer. Among other details, the Lifestyle Expo participants heard that Jamaicans are living longer, and that the majority of our older folk are functionally independent and able to take part in activities. However, chronic disease is increasing in the older population.

The Professor is the Director of the Mona Ageing and Wellness Centre, which had carried out the study whose findings she discussed. It involved a survey of more than 2,900 seniors over a one-year period. It funded by the National Health Fund.

On a lighter note, the CCRP Lifestyle Expo included spot prizes for audience members who answered questions correctly on the material presented: Hertz provided a coupon for complementary car rental in Florida, and BCIC provided a gift basket, as prizes. The gate prizewinner received a gift basket from FLOW.  CCRP Board member Hermine Metcalfe served as a gracious emcee, with assistance from Dorett Linton, CCRP Coordinator. The CCRP was happy to welcome more than a dozen new members who signed up at the Expo, to join the over 700 existing members.

The Caribbean Community of Retired Persons was launched in April 2010, with the mission of “working to ensure that the vast talent, experience and wisdom of our seniors will be respected, and that they enjoy the quality of life which they so richly deserve.”

_________________________________________

Contact:            Dorett Linton, CCRP Coordinator

                          926-6740, 383-2150

US Embassy offers Fellowships

Contact: Public Affairs Section TEL: 702-6000, Email: kingstonpress@state.gov
April 19, 2013
For immediate release
U.S. Embassy welcomes applicants for the 2014-2015 Hubert H. Humphrey Program
 
The U.S. Embassy welcomes qualified persons to compete for participation in the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program.  This distinguished program brings accomplished mid-level professionals to the United States for a year of combined academic (NON-DEGREE) and professional work. Fellows are selected based on potential for leadership and commitment to public service.
 
Fellowships are granted competitively to both public and private sector candidates with strong leadership potential and a commitment to public service in the fields of:
 
-          COMMUNICATIONS/JOURNALISM
-          NATURAL RESOURCES/ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND CLIMATE CHANGE
-          PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
-          ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/FINANCE AND BANKING
-          AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT/AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS
-          TEACHING OF ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE (teacher training or curriculum
development)
-          PREVENTION OF TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS AND POLICY
-          HIV/AIDS POLICY AND PREVENTION
-          HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
-          LAW/HUMAN RIGHTS
-          URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING
-          TECHNOLOGY POLICY AND MANAGEMENT
-          EDUCATIONAL PLANNING, ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY
-          PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY AND MANAGEMENT
-          SUBSTANCE ABUSE EDUCATION, TREATMENT AND PREVENTION
 
Appropriate candidates are mid-career professionals in leadership positions who have the required experience/skills, commitment to public service, and potential for advancement in their professions. Prospective-fellows should have a minimum of five years professional experience and should be policy rather than research or technically oriented.
 
By providing future leaders and policy makers with experience in U. S. society, culture, and professional fields, the program provides a basis for lasting, productive ties between Americans and their professional counterparts overseas.  Applications open on April 19th and close on June 28th, 2013.  For further information on eligibility please visit For more information on the Humphrey Fellowship program see
www.humphreyfellowship.org.
Please visit http://kingston.usembassy.gov/ or email Kingstonexchanges@state.gov for further details on eligibility other program requirements and
 
NOT ELIGIBLE: Recent graduates (even if they have significant positions); university teachers or researchers with no management responsibilities (except in the fields of drug abuse prevention); individuals with less than five years of work experience; individuals with recent U.S. experience (more than 6 months within the last 5 years); individuals who have attended a graduate school in the U.S. for one academic year or more during the seven years prior to August 2014; and individuals with dual U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent resident status.
 
Access on-line application at http://apply.embark.com/student/humphrey/fellowship/ 
THE ON-LINE APPLICATION IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO JAMAICAN APPLICANTS UP TO MIDNIGHT (12:00 A.M.) JUNE 28TH.
 
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:  Official sealed copies of university transcript(s), sealed reference letters and forms (typewritten) and curriculum vitae. Supporting documents should be mailed to the following addresses:
 
Public Affairs Officer
Public Affairs Section
142 Old Hope Road
Kingston 6
Re: Hubert H. Humphrey Program
 
Following a technical review, shortlisted candidates will be advised and invited for an interview.
Local selections will be made, followed by final selections in the United States by independent review committees and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. Awards will be announced by Spring 2014.
 
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
A. Academic placement in a non-degree program: The Humphrey program is not designed to lead to a degree. Rather, fellows pursue tailored study programs at participating host institutions. There is no provision for fellows to request a particular university for placement. A university is chosen based on the richness of its institutional resource base and level of support and guidance it offers to the participants. Each campus has a designated faculty coordinator for academic and administrative support. Faculty advisers also assist fellows in balancing academic and professional experience.
B. Professional development: this is one of the strongest features of the program. Each fellow's professional plan may include professional visits, conferences, and a professional affiliation (work placement) of at least six weeks. Early in the academic year, each fellow develops, with assistance from the Institute of International Education (IIE), the campus - coordinator, and faculty advisers, a plan for professional activities carefully geared to the fellow's need for relevant, practical professional experiences.
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St Ann NW - Skills Training Programme

Good project - message below from Dr Dayton Campbell MP who also gave his email address and cell phone number - readily accessible ...

LAUNCH OF THE SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAMME

Education remains the only vehicle for upward social mobility for the masses of the land. It is with this deep-seated and fervent belief that the constituency of St Ann North Western has taken the initiative to facilitate extensive skills training for the constituents. According to 2010 World Youth Survey, 50% of children leaving secondary educational facilities in Jamaica did not obtain a single pass at CSEC and 70% are unskilled. The survey uncovered a more worrying fact that 70% of crimes in Jamaica are committed by persons under the age of 30 and tangentially they comprise 70% of the victims. 

There is a paroxysm of fear when one considers that over 467,000 Jamaicans between the ages of 14-29 are either unemployed or not seeking a job. This is something that I cannot stand idly by and observe so I have grown resolute in opposing this growing pandemic

We have taken the initiative to lay the foundation for the constituency by engaging our youths in skills training. To this end we will be launching our skills training programme this Thursday April 25, 2013 at 3pm at the Brown's Town Community College. The Guest Speaker will be Mr Raymond Pryce, MP for St Elizabeth North Eastern.

Areas involved in program are:
1) Business Administration - 20 students
2) Customer Service - 20 students
3) Early Childhood Education - 20 students
4) Computer Repair - 30 students
5) Cosmetology - 20 students
6) Accounting - 20 students
7) Welding - 25 students.

All successful graduates will receive Level II HEART TRUST/NTA certification. In November of this year additional training will be offered in hospitality areas namely, housekeeping, serving etc. It is to be noted also that these individuals will also benefit from the economic enablement that is disbursed through the Constituency Development Fund thus furnishing them with an opportunity to unlock the entrepreneurial spirit that resides in us all.

Poverty is a bandit aiming to deny our youths a prosperous future; as such it is an issue that we cannot afford to be coy in our response to. Let us extirpate it from our culture and move with some alacrity to lift our people from welfare to well-being and then to wealth creation. If vision 2030 is to be realized then each district, each community, each constituency, each parish, each county must become that place of choice to live, work, do business and raise families. 

For further information please contact
Dr Dayton Campbell, MD, MP
St Ann North Western
Daytoncampbell@gmail.com
3697622

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REGGAE ICON TOOTS HIBBERT HELPS FIGHT CANCER

Reggae icon Toots Hibbert (right) after announcing his donation with (L-R) Andrea Bullens, co-producer of Groovin In The Park, Vincent HoSang, CEO of Caribbean Food Delights & VHFF and Sabrina HoSang, COO, Caribbean Food Delights and daughter of Vincent HoSang. - Anthony Turner/Images Media photo

REGGAE ICON TOOTS HIBBERT DONATES US$5,000 TOWARDS PURCHASE OF CANCER TREATMENT MACHINE IN JAMAICA
New York: The Vincent HoSang Foundation (VHFF), a non for profit, US based origination that helps the less fortunate and provides scholarship and charitable assist for individuals and organizations in Jamaica and the Caribbean Diaspora is in a much better position today to execute its mandate, thanks to a generous donation from veteran singer Toots Hibbert. The reggae icon and Grammy winner's unexpected donation of US$5,000 to the VHFF came at a press conference at the Jamaican Consulate in Manhattan to officially launch the Groovin In the Park concert that takes place at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens New York on Sunday, June 30.

Mr. Vincent Ho Sang, the founder and CEO of Caribbean Food Delights and the VHFF declared at the launch that he had made the procurement of the accelerators a priority project through his foundation. When Toots heard about the plight of acquiring the accelerators, the man who is credited with coining the word 'reggae' simply walked to the podium and made his offer on behalf of his Toots Hibbert Foundation. 

The funds will be used towards the purchase of two linear accelerators, medical equipment that is essential for the treatment of some cancers. The accelerators, which cost US$5 million dollars, is earmarked for the Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay and an undetermined facility in Kingston.

"We are so grateful for Toots' generosity and kindness. It will go a very far way in helping us achieve of goal" Sabrina HoSang, COO of Caribbean Food Delights said on behalf of VHFF.

During the launch, event promoter and executive producer for Groovin In The Park, Chris Roberts, revealed that part proceeds from this year's concert will benefit the VHFF. He said he was passionate about giving back to the Jamaican community and that one of the ways he wanted to make a difference was through supporting the vigorous efforts of Mr. Hosang to purchase the two linear accelerators.

Roberts disclosed that his organization started looking at ways to give back to the community from as early as last year and that his team fine-tuned the concept of partnering with the VHFF for this year's concert. Roberts shared a few touching anecdotes of his own family struggles with cancer.

This year's Groovin In The Park concert promises to be a ravishing treat for reggae lovers in the tri-state area who will have the opportunity to see Toots doing nostalgic anthems such as 54-46, Sweet & Dandy and Monkey Man. Equally enrapturing will be a rare performance in New York City by Queen Ifrica who typically has audiences chanting her ever last word in live performances. And of course, the anthologies of both Barrington Levy and Coco Tea have defined excellence in reggae music over the past three decades, so fans attending Groovin In The Park this year are in for a truly special treat.

From Anthony Turner
Images Media
anthonyturner@gmail.com
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Sidjae shares on Self-Awareness

This week's Leadership Nugget from Sidjae Robinson Walia:
Self-Awareness

Good day leaders,
"Know your strengths and your weaknesses; they are your foundation for growth and success."  -  SW

Many people over- or underestimate their skills and abilities. The Korn/Ferry Institute completed research on executives that indicated that 79% had at least one blindspot (an over estimated strength), and 40% had at least one hidden strength (an underestimated strength). One example of a prevalent blindspot is 'demonstrating personal flexibility'. Many leaders claim to be open to suggestions and new ideas, when the reality is their style is closer to 'my way or the highway'. Inflating or deflating one's strengths is a form of deception and can lead to career derailment.

Have conversations with your bosses, peers, and direct reports to rediscover the areas in which you are great, and the areas you can improve.

To Your Unlimited Possibilities,
Sidjae
--
Sidjae Walia
Founder/CEO
UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES
Training that expands your mind and life
"The mind, once expanded to dimensions of bigger ideas, never returns to its original size" - Oliver Wendell Holmes
Twitter ID: http://twitter.com/SidjaeWalia
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/upthenextlevel
Website: www.upthenextlevel.com
(647) 927 9289

*Certified to administer the MBTI for individuals and groups. Give me a call if you are interested in learning how your personality impacts your work, team, and personal life.*
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Statement from the family of the late Dr Herbert Eldemire

Sent to the Jamaica Observer on Thursday, 18 April 2013:

In response to today's article the family of the late Dr Herbert Eldemire having taken note of the story  which confirms the mumblings on the ground over the past few months regarding re-naming the Cornwall Regional Hospital in his honour.

We do not intend to have our father's name involved in any controversy and we are no longer in support of the renaming of the hospital after our father.

Our father was not associated with political tribalism during his many years of public service beginning in 1958 and we will not have his name be the subject of controversy in death. So there will be no need for the mayor to engage in consultations and the staff and citizenry who have stoutly objected can be at peace.
 
Denise Eldemire Shearer (daughter) on behalf of the family.
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Usain Bolt teams with Digicel for his hometown Sherwood Content

ALL SMILES IN SHERWOOD CONTENT: Living Legend, Usain Bolt, is seen with Trisha Williams-Singh (left), Senior Corporate Relations Manager at Digicel and Samantha Chantrelle, Executive Director of the Digicel Foundation. Occasion was the handing over ceremony of a  multipurpose court to his hometown, Sherwood Content in Trelawny. The gift also included the leveling of a playing field for football and other field related sporting activities. Funded by the Digicel Foundation to the tune of J$ 4 million, the multipurpose court will benefit approximately 1500 people in the Sherwood Content community. The handing over event took place at the Sherwood Content Community on Saturday, April 20.

GREAT TURN OUT IN SHERWOOD CONTENT:  Usain Bolt in partnership with the Digicel Foundation handed over a multipurpose court to his hometown, Sherwood Content in Trelawny. Photo shows (from left): Beverly Atkinson; Samantha Chantrelle, Executive Director of the Digicel Foundation; Patrick Atkinson, Member of Parliament for North Trelawny; Joy Clarke, Head of Sales for Digicel Jamaica’s West and Central divisions; His Worship, the Mayor of Falmouth, Garth Wilkinson.  The gift also included the leveling of a playing field for football and other field related sporting activities. Funded by the Digicel Foundation to the tune of J$ 4million, the multipurpose court will benefit approximately 1500 people in the Sherwood Content community. The handing over event took place at the Sherwood Content Community on Saturday, April 20.

FROM: Vicki Cann | PROComm | 876-926-6740

SHERWOOD CONTENT RECEIVES MULTIPURPOSE COURT THROUGH DIGICEL FOUNDATION, USAIN BOLT FOUNDATION PARTNERSHIP

Kingston, Jamaica – Saturday April 20, 2013: Living legend Usain Bolt in partnership with the Digicel Foundation handed over a multipurpose court to his hometown, Sherwood Content in Trelawny. The gift also included the levelling of a playing field for football and other field related sporting activities. Funded by the Digicel Foundation to the tune of J$ 4million, the multipurpose court is yet another example of working for the development of his hometown and is the first step in Bolt’s plans to revitalize the Sherwood Content Community Centre. The Bolt Foundation has also been heavily involved in giving back to schools with the purchase of a school bus for Bolt’s alma mater William Knibb and the donation of playground equipment to four primary schools in Portland.

The new multipurpose court in Trelawny will benefit approximately 1500 persons in the Sherwood Content community and the surrounding areas. The Social Development Commission, on behalf of the Usain Bolt Foundation, will see to the maintenance of the court and the implementation of a variety of programmes designed to engage youth and community members in sporting activities. The handing over event took place at the Sherwood Content Community on Saturday, April 20.

Usain Bolt and members of the community “christened” the court with a friendly hoop shooting competition.  As part of the festivities, Waldensia Primary students also performed a moving cultural item. Bolt is a past student of the school and had previously teamed up with the Digicel Foundation to participate in Labour Day activities at the institution. The hand over was truly a community affair with persons coming out to share in the moment.

Commenting on the significance of the hand over, Digicel Foundation Executive Director, Samantha Chantrelle said that “the link between sports and development has been seen across the globe. Through sports we engage our youth to learn positive life skills—teamwork, responsibility and how to compete fairly. The Digicel Foundation is very happy to have partnered with the Usain Bolt Foundation in providing the opportunity for young persons in his hometown to learn these skills.”

‘It’s a great joy to be able to give back to my community and play my part in creating sporting opportunities for the children. I want to thank Digicel especially and all who contributed to making this project a reality,” noted Bolt.

About Digicel Foundation

The Digicel Foundation is the largest local private sector foundation in Jamaica. Since its inception in 2004 the Foundation has invested over J$1.2 billion in communities in which Digicel operates island wide. The Digicel Foundation has been proactive in the areas of Education, Special Needs, and Community Empowerment.

The Digicel Foundation has:

• Invested over J$100 million in their Enrichment Initiative in partnership with the Ministry of Education to improve literacy at the primary school level island wide.
• Invested over J$38 million in resource rooms, including science and IT labs, in high schools island-wide.
• Committed to building three Special Needs schools, two of which, the STEP Centre, and NAZ Children’s Centre broke ground in 2012.
• Invested over J$60 million in Community Empowerment initiatives over the past four years, including $10 million annually and $15 million in 2012 to support the National Best Communities Competition and Program.
• Invested $13 million in the ‘Back to Roots—Stronger Roots, Stronger Communities, Stronger Nation.’ The programme aims to help community organizations become more self-reliant by facilitating their transition to social enterprises, by teaching them how to run sustainable community businesses.

For more information visit our website at www.digiceljamaicafoundation.org

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/digiceljafoundation

Twitter:  (@digiceljafdn) https://twitter.com/DigicelJaFdn

About the Usain Bolt Foundation

Mission: Creation of opportunities through education and cultural development for a positive change.

Vision:  The Usain Bolt Foundation is dedicated to the legacy for happy children; to enhance the character of children through education and cultural development, as they live their dreams.

Activities include:

• Walk-a-thon to raise funds for cardiac surgery for children
• Assistance with a state of the art dining facility at William Knibb Memorial High School
• Infrastructural development of Piedmont Basic and Waldensia Primary Schools

PROComm

876 413 4229

Simple Things You Can Do to Prevent Alzheimer's

UCLA on Alzheimer's Disease - Young or Old Must Learn
J. Carper
Food for Thought
"The idea that Alzheimer's is completely genetic and unpreventable is probably the greatest misunderstanding regarding the disease, " says Gary Small, M. D., director of the UCLA Center on Aging.
Researchers now understand that Alzheimer's, similar to heart disease and cancer, evolves over decades and can be affected by lifestyle factors including cholesterol, blood pressure, being overweight, depressive disorder, education, diet, sleep and mental, physical and societal activity. The significant news: Mountains of research explains that basic things you do every day could minimize your odds of losing your mind to Alzheimer's. In search of scientific ways to delay and outlive Alzheimer's and other dementias, I tracked down thousands of studies and interviewed a lot of experts.
The outcomes in a new book: 100 Very simple Things You Can Do to Prevent Alzheimer's and Age-Related Memory Decline.
Here are 10 techniques found most surprising.
 
1. Have coffee. In an amazing flip-flop, coffee is the new brain tonic. A large European study demonstrated that drinking 3 to five servings of coffee a day in midlife cut Alzheimer's chance 65% in later life. University of South Florida researcher Gary Arendash credits caffeine: He says it decreases dementia-causing amyloid in animal brains. Other people credit coffee's anti-oxidants. So drink up, Arendash advises, unless your doctor says you should not.
2. Floss. Strangely, the wellbeing of your teeth and gums can help predict dementia. University of Southern California analysis found that having gum disease before age 35 quadrupled the possibility of dementia years later. Elderly individuals with tooth and gum disease score lower on memory and cognition tests, additional studies indicate. Industry experts speculate that inflammation in diseased mouths migrates to the brain.
3. Google. Doing an online search can stimulate your aging brain even more than reading through a book, affirms UCLA's Gary Small, who used brain MRIs to demonstrate it. The biggest surprise: Novice Internet users, ages 55 to 78, triggered essential memory and learning facilities in the brain after just a week of Web surfing for an hour a day.
4. Develop new brain cells. Impossible, scientists used to declare. Now it's believed that thousands of brain cells are born everyday. The key is to keep the newborns alive. What is effective: cardiovascular exercise (such as a brisk 30-minute walk every day), intense psychological activity, consuming salmon and various other fatty seafood, and averting morbid obesity, chronic stress, sleep deprivation, heavy drinking and vitamin B deficiency.
5. Drink apple juice. Apple juice can motivate generation of the "memory chemical" acetylcholine; that's the way the well-known Alzheimer's drug Aricept functions, says Thomas Shea, Ph. D., of the University of Massachusetts. He was surprised that old rodents given apple juice did better on learning and memory assessments than rodents that received drinking water. A dosage for humans: 16 oz., or two to 3 apples a day.
6. Protect your head. Blows to the head, even mild ones early on in life, increase possibilities of dementia years afterwards. Professional football players have nineteen times the typical rate of memory-related conditions. Alzheimer's is 4 times more common in elderly who undergo a head injury, Columbia University confirms. Unintentional falls doubled an older person's odds of dementia 5 years later in another analysis. Wear seat belts and helmets, fall-proof your residence, and don't take risks.
 
7. Meditate. Brain scans indicate that people who meditate frequently have much less cognitive decline and brain shrinkage - a traditional indicator of Alzheimer's - as they grow older. Andrew Newberg of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine states yoga meditation of twelve minutes a day for 2 months enhanced blood circulation and cognitive functioning in seniors with memory difficulties.
8. Take Vitamin D. A "serious deficiency" of vitamin D boosts elderly Americans' risk of cognitive impairment 394%, an alarming study by England's University of Exeter finds. And the majority of Americans lack vitamin D. Experts recommend a day-to-day dose of 800 IU to 2, 000 IU of vitamin D3.
9. Fill your brain. It's called "cognitive reserve. " A rich accumulation of life experiences - education, marriage, socializing, a stimulating job, language skills, having a goal in life, physical activity and mentally demanding leisure activities - makes your brain better equipped to tolerate plaques and tangles. You can even have significant Alzheimer's pathology and no symptoms of dementia if you have higher cognitive reserve, says David Bennett, M. D., of Chicago's Rush University Medical Center.
10. Avoid infection. Shocking new research ties Alzheimer's to cold sores, gastric ulcers, Lyme disease, pneumonia and the flu. Ruth Itzhaki, Ph. D., of the University of Manchester in England estimates the cold-sore herpes simplex strain is incriminated in 60% of Alzheimer's scenarios. The hypothesis: Bacterial infections induce increased beta amyloid "gunk" that wipes out brain cells. Proof is still incomplete, but why not avoid common infections and receive proper vaccines, antibiotics and antiviral agents?
Source: http://www.seniorpsychiatry.com/docs/uclaalz.html

 
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Offer freedom to self, others

A reminder from the wise Mariama Williams to allow ourselves and others the space to breathe, the space to be - Jean Anita

"Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor." —Thich Nhat Hanh
 
Precious One,
 
Detachment is creating space in and around you— freedom. Space is needed to gain your beauty and freshness...Give your self a lot of space inside and outside in order to be happy.
Space  inside, space outside...
- Mariama Williams

Offer freedom, offer emptiness to yourself and to others.
- Thich Nhat Hann



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Usain Bolt confirmed for London Anniversary Games

 

Usain Bolt's management team seem to have made their peace with the UK Tax-man.  We understand that the country's heavy taxation regime had been an issue in finalising plans for Bolt to run there - Jean Anita

BBC - 17 April 2013 (link below): Usain Bolt will compete in the London 2012 Anniversary Games from 26 to 28 July, along with 28 other medallists from last year's Olympics.

Jamaican Bolt won three gold medals at London 2012, in the 100m, 200m and as part of the 4x100m relay team.

Jessica Ennis has Jamaican roots - her Dad was born here!

Britain's Jessica Ennis will also take part in the event at the Olympic Stadium, along with fellow gold medal winners Mo Farah and Greg Rutherford.
Sally Pearson and Aries Merritt are among 12 Olympic champions signed up.
The event will double as the 2013 London Grand Prix, which usually takes place at Crystal Palace, and will be held on Friday and Saturday, followed by a day of Paralympic events on Sunday, 28 July.
It will take place on the one-year anniversary of the opening ceremony of London 2012, two weeks before the start of the World Athletics Championships in Moscow on 10 August.
Bolt, who set an Olympic record in the 100m and helped his team-mates post a new world record in the 4x100m relay at London 2012, will use the event as a warm-up for Moscow.

Read more at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/athletics/22179557

Inter-Faith service for victims of Boston bombing

Standing ovation as the President declares, "We will pick ourselves up, we will keep going, we will finish the race."

- scenes from CNN broadcast
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