As I was walking to the gym for an aerobics class recently, I spoke to a group of youth who appeared to be of middle school age.

"Are you ready for school to start?" I asked cheerfully.

Their response was a variety of moans, groans and no's.

Well, ready or not, it's coming. Public school starts Aug. 15 in Fayette County.

I always looked forward to school starting when I was a student. For the most part, so did my children.

But the young people I've known who wanted to put off school as long as they could were the ones who had difficulty in one of the core subjects such as reading or math. A little tutoring in those areas could have changed their minds.

For 20 years, that's exactly what the Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning has been trying to do through its after-school and summer tutoring programs.

The program started with 12 students when the Carnegie Center opened, according to tutoring coordinator Carol G. Bradford. Last year, which was her first with the program, saw 160 students at the center and at four schools with many students from low-income families.

"Over the years, it has grown tremendously," she said.

For one hour each week, a volunteer tutor meets with a student to help with just about any subject troubling the student. The program is open to students in kindergarten through 12th grades. Most come from Fayette County, but some come from Woodford, Jessamine and Scott counties as well.

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Merlene Davis: Tutors needed at the Carnegie Center

July 25, 2012

Connie K. Ho for redOrbit.com Your Universe Online

Inhale. Exhale. Stretch. Repeat. These are just a few steps of yoga, a therapeutic workout that has gained in popularity over the years. Researchers recently found that a particular type of yoga that allows participants to practice brief meditation on a daily basis will help decrease stress for people who take care of patients with Alzheimers and dementia.

According to scientists from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), participating in a specific type of chanting yogic meditation for a minimum of 12 minutes daily for eight weeks caused a decrease in the biological mechanism that manages an uptick in the bodys immune systems inflammation response. If inflammation is continuously present, it can lead to a number of chronic health problems.

In the project, investigators from UCLA worked with 45 family dementia caregivers in an experiment that highlighted the benefits of Kirtan Kriya Meditation (KKM). Following meditation, 68 of the genes reacted differently and led to a decrease in inflammation. The results are highlighted in the current online edition of the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology.

We know that chronic stress places caregivers at a higher risk for developing depression, explained Dr. Helen Lavretsky, senior author and a professor of psychiatry at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, in a prepared statement. On average, the incidence and prevalence of clinical depression in family dementia caregivers approaches 50 percent. Caregivers are also twice as likely to report high levels of emotional distress.

The researchers described caregivers as unsung heroes who took the burden of taking care of friends and family who suffered from Alzheimers and other types of dementia. In particular, the burden of taking care of someone with dementia can take a toll on people. As such, older adult caregivers generally show higher levels of stress and depression along with lower level of satisfaction and vigor. These same caregivers also tend to have a high level of biomarkers of inflammation and are at high risk for diseases related to stress. Furthermore, the number of caretakers for those with dementia will increase significantly as the population ages. Presently, there are around five million individuals in the U.S. who are caring for a patient with dementia.

While past studies have examined psychosocial interventions like meditation, there hasnt always been a strong understanding as to the pathways psychosocial interventions take in influencing biological processes. The researchers wanted to look at how these interventions could decrease the number of adverse effects on caregivers. The participants were placed into two random groups. The mediation group learned how to do 12-minute yogic practice, including Kirtan Kriya, and completed these exercises at the same time over a period of eight weeks. The other group was placed in a quiet place to listen to instrumental and relaxation music for 12 minutes on a daily basis over eight weeks. The scientists took blood samples at the beginning and end of the study.

The goal of the study was to determine if meditation might alter the activity of inflammatory and antiviral proteins that shape immune cell gene expression, emphasized Lavretsky, who also directs UCLAs Late-Life Depression, Stress and Wellness Research Program, in the statement. Our analysis showed a reduced activity of those proteins linked directly to increased inflammation.

The researchers believe that the results are very positive and Lavretsky, in particular, has launched an Alzheimers and Dementia Care Program that includes coordinated care for patients and caregivers; the caregiver portion of the program includes yoga practice.

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Yoga Reduces Stress For Caregivers Of Those With Dementia

Jim Carlen lived a rare life -- coaching three major college football teams and winning the Heisman Trophy.

The roars could be deafening at the University of South Carolina when the coach ran George Rogers right into the record books.

By the time he got to Hilton Head Island in the 1980s, Carlen had been running with the big dogs since 1951, when he left Cookeville, Tenn., for Coach Bobby Dodd's Georgia Tech football team. While Carlen was there, the Yellow Jackets shared a national championship, won 31 games in a row and brought home trophies from the Orange Bowl, the Cotton Bowl and two Sugar Bowls.

Carlen was comfortable as the center of attention as head football coach at USC, Texas Tech and West Virginia University.

But there were no cheering crowds in the church halls of Hilton Head where Carlen pecked away at his rarest achievement: monumental blood donation.

When blood drives were held at Christ Lutheran Church near his island home in Shipyard Plantation or in the Fellowship Hall at First Presbyterian Church, Carlen was always one of the first in line.

The Island Packet ran a front-page story when he hit the 19-gallon mark of lifetime donations in August 1988. He'd been giving since Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta called the 18-year-old freshman, asking for a pint of his A-negative blood. He gave until his health no longer permitted it.

Carlen died peacefully Sunday after a long illness at age 79.

His blood-donor card wasn't immediately available at his Columbia home Tuesday, but a friend of the family said Carlen might have become one of the nation's top blood donors.

It was a quiet act that got less attention in four decades of consistent giving than a single Saturday-afternoon touchdown. One of Carlen's closest colleagues in Beaufort County told me he never heard the coach mention blood donation.

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USC coach known as a rare hero at quiet blood drives

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4iAuPc10DE

23-07-2012 17:41 As of lately, I have been asked so many times to start doing more health and fitness videos! Well here you go, my very first video that is related to health and fitness. You can't expect to see results if you don't eat right. There are days where I will cheat, but if I do I will do so moderately. It is healthy to cheat, because if you don't, you won't stick to your diet and will end up binge eating! Also eat healthy foods that you enjoy eating, not things that you hate to eat because you won't stick to your diet. I love cooking and eating healthy that is why I am able to stick to my diet! Would you like to see a video where I show you the typical meals I eat? Click here for my outfit of the day video of this outfit! Links! Website: Twitter Facebook: Instagram: FTC: All opinions are my own, and I purchased everything shown in this video! (:

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Healthy Foods Haul! (Groceries

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dEtm8QQnhs

23-07-2012 23:32 Hello ! how are you? I am on here to try to help everyone eat better and exercise If you need any help with that email me or call (607) 483-8445 please do notforget to eat raw organic fruit (focusing on the fruit) vegetables (especially dark leafy greens) nuts and seeds and exercise two hours or two miles (walking) a day everyday huge hugs remember you are loved huge hugs dedicating all my videos to my mom who passed on to Heaven April 24, 2012 She will be enormously missed.

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June-Marie Raw Food and Fitness Health Misc videos walking pup 006 - Video

DENVER, July 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --In the neighborhoods of west Denver, many residents, particularly the elderly, suffer from nutrition-related illnesses, like high rates of diabetes and heart disease. The problem is compounded by lack of access to adequate nutrition education and grocery stores that offer good selections of fresh, healthy food.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110907/PH63208LOGO )

Today ARAMARK, the global professional services company, will create an ARAMARK Building Community Opportunity Zonethat will be a hub for ongoing nutrition and wellness programs at Southwest Improvement Council (SWIC), which provides health and human services programs, affordable housing, meals for senior citizens and other services to underserved neighborhoods of west Denver. In partnership with the SWIC, the company will also launch a series of health and wellness workshops to help combat health issues facing many local residents

"Obesity, diabetes and other chronic diseases are major issues in our community, especially for the elderly. In fact, more than 15 percent of Coloradans over 65 suffer from diabetes," said Jan Marie Belle, SWIC's executive director. "People in this area often have a difficult time finding nutritious food. Our partnership with ARAMARK, and the work they are doing here today to create a place for our families to focus on health and nutrition, will be key to overcoming barriers to healthy lifestyles."

This effort is part of ARAMARK Building Community (ABC), the company's global volunteer and philanthropic program focused on strengthening local community centers and helping struggling families in 50 cities in the U.S. and abroad. Through ABC, employees use their culinary, hospitality, food and nutrition, facilities management and human resources expertise to create strong and vital communities.

"The mission of ARAMARK Building Community is to put our skills to work to improve neighborhoods by working with local community centers to enhance their capacity and programs. Our culinary and nutrition experts help people achieve healthier lifestyles that are essential to leading happy, productive lives," said Carl Mittleman, Regional Vice President for ARAMARK Sports and Entertainment. "Through our partnership with SWIC, we've been helping people succeed and neighborhoods thrive."

The ABC Opportunity Zone will include a new community health garden, created by the participating ARAMARK volunteers, to help senior citizens who are in need of access to fresh, healthy foods. The garden will supplement the center's existing food pantry and be available to the dozens of seniors who visit the center each day, including those who rely on the center for their daily lunch. In addition, an unused outdoor area will be transformed into a welcoming outdoor classroom, and will serve as a dedicated space for local residents to learn about nutrition and healthy and active lifestyles.

ARAMARK volunteers also donated healthy food items such as canned fruits and vegetables and whole-grain cereals for SWIC's food pantry, and a variety of gardening tools for the center's senior citizens to use in the new community garden.

Throughout the year, ARAMARK culinary and nutrition experts will host wellness educational classes for residents to help them understand health issues and identify solutions such as workshops on "Diabetes and Your Health," and "Shopping for Health." Classes will include healthy cooking demonstrations and nutritional information at the annual health and wellness day.

About Southwest Improvement Council (SWIC) Southwest Improvement Council is a nonprofit charity formed in 1987 by the residents of Westwood, an impoverished neighborhood in urban southwest Denver. SWIC's purpose is to improve living conditions for its residents through civic engagement, health and human service programs, and affordable housing, by identifying and building on the assets of the people in the community. SWIC's first projects included neighborhood cleanups, home repairs for seniors, and after-school education programs for children. Today SWIC provides housing counseling, meals and food for seniors, exercise and fitness programs, health and disease-prevention programs, afterschool programs for youth, evening recreation and gang-diversion programs, an urban wildlife refuge and 19 units of affordable multi-family housing. SWIC serves more than 3,000 people each year. Visit http://www.SWIC.denver.org for more information.

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ARAMARK Creates Hub of Health and Nutrition Education to Help Denver Residents Live Healthier Lives

Razor Sharp Fitness Center

Racine Razors Volleyball Club Open Gym Training and Clinic Session: All volleyball players welcome to participate in this free training and clinic. 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays, July 25-Aug. 8. Razor Sharp Fitness Center, 7300 Washington Ave., Mount Pleasant. Call (262) 939-1221.

North Beach

Zumba Classes: Zumba fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms and easy-to-follow moves to create a dynamic workout system. Class participants follow the Zumba instructor who will do choreography dancing to Latin music like salsa, merengue, cumbia, samba, flamenco, reggaeton and some American music. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, through Aug. 30, at North Beach near the Beachside Oasis, 100 Kewaunee St. Free.

Racine Dental Group

Blood drive: Donors must be in good health, be age 17 or older (16 with parental consent) and have a photo ID. 3-7 p.m. Aug. 6. Racine Dental Group, lower meeting room, 1320 S. Green Bay Road, Racine. Register at http://www.bcw.edu/racinedentalgroup or call (262) 637-9371.

City of RacineHealth Department

Immunization clinics and TB tests: The City of Racine offers walk-in immunization clinics in the City Hall Room 4, 730 Washington Ave., from 1:30-4 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of the month.

Medicaid/Forward Health cards are accepted only for those ages 18 and younger. Medicare cannot be accepted for any services. Cash, check and credit card (Visa and MasterCard) are accepted.

A $10 fee is requested for residents of the City of Racine, Elmwood Park and Wind Point for one vaccine plus $5 for each additional vaccine with a maximum of $20; and $15 for Racine County residents for one vaccine plus $5 for each additional vaccine with a maximum cost of $25.

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Health & Fitness File, July 25

I'm 25 and off to a good start saving for retirement. But I'm scared stiff about how to invest my Roth IRA because a poor decision could cost me hundreds of thousands of dollars by the time I retire. Any advice? Andy C., Des Moines, Iowa

Relax, there's no need to work yourself into a lather. Even though many pros like to make investing seem complicated -- probably so you'll hire them to manage your money -- it's really not all that difficult.

Sure, you'll make some mistakes. We all do. But as long as you follow a few key principles like keeping it simple, holding the line on costs, diversifying broadly and ignoring the jabber of pundits who advocate constant buying and selling, any flubs you make aren't likely to wreak mortal damage.

Take solace in the fact that you're already doing the single most important thing to assure a secure future: You're actually saving. Wall Street types may cringe when I say this, but contributing to a retirement account regularly throughout your career is more important than investing prowess for building wealth over the long term.

That said, since you're going to the trouble to put bucks aside in your Roth IRA, you might as well earn a decent return. Here are three ways you can do that, ranging from easy to easier to easiest, without getting obsessive-compulsive about it.

The easy way. Your aim as a long-term investor should be to build a diversified portfolio of stocks and bonds and then stick with it, except to rebalance every year or so.

You can create that stocks-bonds mix simply and effectively by investing in just three funds: a total stock market index fund, a total bond market index fund and a total international stock index fund, each of which you can find on our MONEY 70 list.

This three-fund combo will give you exposure to the entire U.S. stock market, virtually all publicly-traded foreign stocks and the full gamut of taxable investment-grade domestic bonds.

In short, you'll put together the building blocks for a well-balanced portfolio -- and you'll do it on the cheap. Your annual costs should come in below 0.25% a year, or less than a quarter of what the typical mutual fund charges.

As for how to divvy up your money among these three components, there's no "official" blend. But considering that you're young and have plenty of time to ride out market setbacks, you'll want to lean heavily toward stocks, which have the potential to generate the highest long-term gains.

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Everyone makes some retirement investing mistakes

PITTSBURGH, July 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --fi360, the premier organization for fiduciary education, investment analytics, support services, and industry insights for financial professionals, today announced a collaboration with Charles Schwab Retirement Business Services. Schwab retirement advisors will now have access to a customized version of the fi360 Toolkit that is directly integrated into the Schwab Retirement Center technology platform. fi360 also will be conducting custom Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF) training events for Schwab retirement plan advisors.

The technology project will allow Schwab advisors to leverage fi360's first-in-class product, an online investment management tool created to support advisors' management of client portfolios and documentation of a prudent investment process.

In addition to this key technology development, the two firms are working together to bring AIF training to Schwab retirement plan advisors, enabling them to earn the AIF designation. The AIF designation represents a thorough knowledge of and ability to apply a fiduciary process.

Importantly, the fi360 Toolkit is fully integrated with the Schwab advisor interface and will:

"fi360's sophisticated toolkit is an integral part of our commitment to helping advisors meet a fiduciary standard of care and help their clients navigate the evolving retirement landscape," said Debbie Pritchard, vice president, Schwab Retirement Business Services. "By streamlining investment selection, analysis, and reporting, advisors will be able to more efficiently provide their clients with a high level of service and transparency."

"We are excited to be working with Schwab to support retirement plan advisors with the most sophisticated fiduciary education and plan management and client reporting tools available," said fi360 CEO Blaine Aikin. "But it is ultimately the investors on the receiving end of highly-supported, prudent fiduciary management who are the greatest beneficiaries of this collaboration."

About fi360fi360 offers a comprehensive approach to investment fiduciary education, practice management and support that has established them as the go-to source for investment fiduciary insights. With substantiated Practices as the foundation, fi360 offers world-class fiduciary Training/Education,ToolsandResourcesthat are essential for fiduciaries and those who provide services to fiduciaries to effectively and successfully manage their roles and responsibilities. Fi360 assists those who rely on their fiduciary education programs, professionalAIF and AIFA designations, Web-based analytical and reporting software and resources to achieve success. For more information about fi360, please visitwww.fi360.comor Twitter: @fi360.

About Charles SchwabThe Charles Schwab Corporation (SCHW) is a leading provider of financial services, with more than 300offices and 8.7million client brokerage accounts, 1.52million corporate retirement plan participants, 822,000banking accounts, and $1.80trillion in client assets. The company was ranked "Highest in Investor Satisfaction with Self-Directed Services" in the 2012 U.S. Self-Directed Investor Satisfaction StudySM from J.D. Power and Associates. Through its operating subsidiaries, the company provides a full range of securities brokerage, banking, money management and financial advisory services to individual investors and independent investment advisors. Its broker-dealer subsidiary, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (member SIPC, http://www.sipc.org), and affiliates offer a complete range of investment services and products including an extensive selection of mutual funds; financial planning and investment advice; retirement plan and equity compensation plan services; referrals to independent fee-based investment advisors; and custodial, operational and trading support for independent, fee-based investment advisors through Schwab Advisor Services. Its banking subsidiary, Charles Schwab Bank (member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender), provides banking and mortgage services and products. More information is available at http://www.schwab.com and http://www.aboutschwab.com.

Charles Schwab Bank; Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.; Schwab Retirement Plan Services, Inc.; Schwab Retirement Plan Services Company; and Schwab Retirement Technologies (Schwab RT) are separate but affiliated companies and wholly owned subsidiaries of The Charles Schwab Corporation. Brokerage products and services are offered by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Trust and custody products and services are offered by Charles Schwab Bank. Schwab Retirement Plan Services, Inc. and Schwab Retirement Plan Services Company provide recordkeeping services with respect to retirement plans. Schwab RT is engaged in developing and licensing proprietary retirement plan recordkeeping systems to independent third-party administrators.

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fi360 Announces Initiative with Charles Schwab Retirement Business Services for Fiduciary Management Solution

COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

In response to the demand for state-of-the-art retirement communities designed for active lifestyle and healthcare needs of todays aging population, Nexus Companies redefines retirement living with Vivante On The Coast. Vivante, which encompasses nearly 200,000-square-feet of space on a seven-acre gated campus, is now under construction with completion Fall 2013. Its the first new retirement community built in the area in 15 years.

Vivante will provide an environment of unparalleled luxury and comfort, coupled with the highest level of personalized service for residents. Underscoring the demand, the team has pre-leased 55 suites to date of a total 185 planned.

Vivante will be a unique experience in luxury retirement living, incorporating new ideas in fitness, healthcare, technology, and lifestyle that appeal to the demands of an expanding aging population, said Curt Olson, CEO/Founder, Nexus Companies.

Setting Vivante apart is:

The community includes 31,000 square feet of indoor amenity space. Suites include full kitchens with luxury finishes such as CaesarStone countertops and stainless steel appliances. Wellness amenities include an indoor saltwater pool, fitness center, spa, daily group exercises, yoga deck, physical therapy, serenity garden, reflexology footpath, putting green and bocce ball court.

Vivante is dedicated to enhancing the lives of its residents. The communitys services include 24/7 concierge, personal care and assisted living services, chauffeur services, pet care, move-in services, housekeeping, personal shopping and laundry services. Vivante will provide each resident with an iPad including an application to allow communication among family and staff. Residents are able to view activities and menus, and request maintenance and repairs.

Another significant part of the community is The Shores at Vivante On The Coast, a secured memory care facility located within the property, featuring 40 residences. The Shores provides specialized care for residents with memory impairment diseases such as Alzheimers, Vascular Dementia and Parkinsons. The coastal-inspired community is designed as a secure and safe home-like environment with its own separate amenities.

Once completed, Integral Senior Living will manage the community. Vivante is at 1640 Monrovia Avenue in Costa Mesa, with our leasing office at 320 W. Coast Highway in Newport Beach. Call 949-629-2100.

Photos/MultimediaGallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50353207&lang=en

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Vivante On The Coast™ Redefines Retirement Living