Summer Funnin'

For most kids, May 28th will mark the end of the school year and the beginning of Summer 2009. It's a time for them to explore their surroundings, have fun, and nourish their minds with activities that have nothing to do with schooling. For parents, it's a time to explore hobbies, stop to take in the outdoor weather, and where one must do their best to keep their kid out of trouble and entertained. So, as many adults are trying to figure out what to do with the kiddos and themselves, I suggest to look little further than what the Houston Parks & Recreation Department has in place for this Summer at Selena Perez- Denver Harbor Park. As this is the only park in DH with a Community Center, there will be a good amount of going ons for children, adults, and Seniors. Here is a breakdown.

2009 Summer Enrichment Program- Keep your child active every day with arts & crafts, games, special events/entertainment, sports and water fun by registering him or her for this program.

• Ages: 6- 13
• Registration: April 18th until filled - Registration is required at Community Center During Normal Business Hours
• Camp Dates: June 1st - August 7th (Monday thru Friday only)
• Time: 8:00am - 6:00pm
• Fee: $30 per week per child (Some Participants May Qualify for Exemption)
• Information: For all who register, there will be an 'Overview/Orientation given at the Denver Harbor Community Center on Wednesday, May 20th, 2009 @ 6:30pm
  Call 713-675-2151 for more info & if you have questions.
  

Pool Supervisors, Head Lifeguards, and Lifeguard Jobs - Provide lifeguarding duty at the Denver Harbor Park Pool.

• Requirements: 16 years of age or older, must pass American Red Cross Lifeguard Training course, Must pass drug test and criminal history background check
• Starting Salary: $9.50 hourly
• Employment Period: May 16th, 2009 to September 7, 2009
• Location: Aquatics Office- 6402 Market St, Houston, Tx 77020 (Community Center)
• Info: 713-670-5501 Mon- Fri 9am- 5pm

Saturday Open Gymnasium- Enjoy open and free basketball, volleyball, or badminton @ Denver Harbor Community Center

• Ages: All
• Registration: None Required
• Fee: FREE
• Program Dates: Year round every Saturday
• Time: 10am - 2pm
• More Info: 713-675-2151

Adult Step Aerobics- Step Aerobics is a great cardiovascular workout and classes are available for all levels for intense to simple depending on the community center and instructor.

• Ages: 18 and up
• Registration: Ongoing
• Fee: FREE
• Program Dates: Year Round
• Times: M/W/Th 6pm- 7pm
  Fri 1pm- 2pm
• Info: 713-675-2151

Community Swimming Pool- Public pools will be open in 2 phases. During Phase I, scheduled for May 23rd, 20 pools will open during the weekend only. During Phase II, scheduled for June 6th, an additional 17 pools will open. From June 15th through August 14 HPARD (Houston Parks and Recreation Department) will operate 37 municipal pools on a Tuesday through Sunday schedule from 1pm - 8pm. All public pools will be closed Mondays throughout Summer.

• More Info: 713-673-7140

Senior Program- This program provides a wide variety of recreation and leisure activities for seniors. Activities include specialty and creative crafts, fitness, walking clubs, cultural events, senior forums, field trips, and special events.

• Ages: 55 years and older
• Fee: FREE unless otherwise indicated
• Times: Various by Community Center
• Info: 713-675-2151
  
  

Aztec- Mexica Dance/ Danza- Learn the movements of the ancient Mexica through the living, evolving, cultural tradition of dance/danza filled with artistic, spiritual, and warrior tradition of the Pre-Columbian Aztecs and their post-conquest descendants. Open practice.

• Ages- all
• Fee: FREE
• When: every Thursday, 6:30pm, next to DH Pool (unless more room needed)
• Needs: Comfortable clothes to move in - Ladies please wear a skirt
• Info: ourdhstreets@gmail.com
  
  

Park Volunteer Program- several programs available for volunteers of all ages to assist in a variety events and activities from coaching youth sports to cleanup projects in neighborhood parks. Ages and Hours vary depending on which volunteer program one chooses to partake in. Call DH Community Center for more info on all of these opportunities at 713-675-2151.

There are sure to be more things coming through DH Park and the other parks and areas surrounding, so keep a look out and come take part in these great free activities to keep you active and connected to your communidad.
Find out more @ www.houstonparks.org

Immune to the Flu

Many Houstonians were rushing to local Walgreens and CVS stores to try to get their hands on face masks, gloves, and immunity pills last week due to the Swine Flu scare. My parents were no exception and I felt the fear everywhere I went- especially because I work near the Medical Center and the Galleria area, where news reports pinpointed the first U.S. death associated with this virus. However, I decided to remain calm, not think about Outbreak or Quarantine, and just take care of myself as if I was guarding against any type of flu that might come my way (including the H1N1 strain of influenza)- by building immunity.
You don't have to spend big amounts of money or pump yourself full of meds or chemicals for your body to become stronger. Actually, the best way to build immunity is by paying attention to what you put in your body - by way of food & liquids.
So, as this was not the first, nor will it be the last, time we are faced with a fast spreading flu, I offer knowledge brought to me through friends that have been on the Natural/Organic road for a long time now ~ mixed with a little eHow research info on how to build up your immunity (and your families') to guard against the possibility of flu and any other kind of body ailment for that matter.

1. Vitamin C
   Get plenty of natural vitamin C. This is probably the most well-known way to help boost your natural immunity. Supplements, such as vitamins, are fine but the best way to get vitamin C is to get it through pure foods. Oranges, grapefruits and tomatoes are just three examples of foods you can eat everyday in order to build up your natural immunity.

2. Veggies!!
   Eat a good amount of fresh vegetables and beans on a daily basis. You may be surprised to learn that foods like broccoli, spinach and kidney beans are full of antioxidants. Over time, these will help you protect and strengthen your immune system. Vegetable juices ("You could have had a V-8!") are a very easy and tasty way to get your daily amount of vegetables.

3. Agua is good!!!
   Drink at least 8 to 10 eight-ounce glasses of water every day. This can serve two purposes. Water will help to remove toxins and "junk" from your system. It will also carry out any excess vitamins you have ingested during your new diet. Both of these are helpful when trying to build up your natural immunity.

4. Rest.
   Try to sleep well every night. Too many individuals are unaware at how important sleep is to their daily lives. Sleeping 8 hours every night can help to prevent weight gain, reduce stress and even keep you from getting sick.
   
   

5. Exercise on the daily.
   When you exercise, you help your body to absorb the vitamins and nutrients you consume. Exercise by itself is another way that you can strengthen your immune system. This doesn't mean that you have to hit the gym every day. Walking for 30 to 60 consecutive minutes is all of the exercise you need in order to build natural immunity.

6. Get the bad stuff out.
   Know which foods and drinks you should give up. Caffeine and sugar are two things that can actually remove vitamins and minerals from your body, thus weakening your immune system. Fast and processed foods won't do your immune system any good, either. Alcohol will also break down nutrients and your immune system. Basically, you should use common sense when cutting foods out of your diet.

It might be alot to do at first, but start with one and add on as you get a good rhythm with the one you are working on. Building you immunity means taking your body's balance to a whole new level. And the next time you are being warned about a 'pandemic outbreak', you'll feel more secure about yourself and your family's ability to not get sick.