A Look Inside...

  :: Notes from the Board Chair: Dear Friends
  :: Executive Director's Corner
  :: Welcome New Board Members!
  :: Activate America: Healthy Nutrition Tips
  :: Activate America-Recipe: Vegetable Salsa

Healthy Kids Day A Huge Success!

Healthy Kids Day was held on Saturday, April 14 at Edison High School.  Over 600 people attended this annual event.  Healthy Kids Day is designed to “Put some play in your day,” encouraging families to get active and make healthy lifestyle choices.  Over 30 vendors participated in the event this year, including health care professionals, recreational programs and more.  Kids were rock climbing, jumping in bounce houses and having a great time!  Please be sure to join us next year.  It is scheduled for Saturday, April 5.

Y Activate!
West County Family YMCA recently kicked off YActivate!, at Healthy Kids Day.  Y Activate! Is a program for familes to get active and get healthy.  The YMCA is providing regular tips for easy changes to make in your lifestyle to help you improve your fitness level.

If you would like to join the program, email JWolicki@ymcaoc.net, and you will be added to our distribution list.

Your YMCA Has Moved!
Effective April 1, the West County Family YMCA Administrative Offices have moved!  In order to serve our members more fully, we have moved to a larger location with street signs!

Our new office is located at:
19891 Beach Blvd., Suite 17, Huntington Beach, CA  92648.

We are in the Cornerstone Building, south of Adams, just across the street from Newland House.  Please stop by to say hello at our new place!  Phone numbers, email addresses, etc. all remain the same.  We look forward to seeing you!

Sports Programs
The big bats were out in full force this season and unfortunately we have come to the conclusion of our West County Family’s Itty-Bitty T-Ball season.  There were many exciting and memorable moments on the diamond this season.  From big hits, to fielding ground balls, or legging out a double our T-baller’s and volunteer coaches did an extraordinary job! Congratulations!  I would also like to give praise to the parents for being very understanding, and patient in dealing with the transitional phase we encountered in our sports program.  In between cheering our little athletes on, and passing out snacks the parents were very receptive and helpful to the YMCA staff, so “High-five” parents!

Pass, dribble, shoot….Goooooal!!  Get ready, set, GO! Yes, the weather is heating up and so is our sports program with the arrival of our West County Family’s Rookies soccer season as well as our track & field season ready to commence.  In addition to these two exciting programs we have added a third which would be our WCF YMCA Skills Soccer Clinic which will be conducted on Saturdays from 10am – 12pm at   Eader Elementary School.  At this time our Skills Soccer Clinic looks to be attracting some guest appearances for visitation and I will keep all informed as dates and appearances are confirmed.  A busy summer looks to be  brewing,  but it could very well prove to be a very captivating one for all.  Also, not to far away we have our WCF Jr. Lakers Basketball program so stay tuned for updates regarding that program and others.

Child Care Goings On
Seacliff YMCA children have participated in a service learning project benefiting Seacliff Elementary School.  The upper graders did a school clean up day.  The center also acquired a new aquarium.  The children are learning all about sea creatures.  Perry YMCA held a “Talent Night” for the YMCA students recently.  What a group of talented kids!  The lineup included breakdancing, magic and more!    There is still time to sign up for Learning Bridges, a YMCA Kindergarten prep program for next fall’s new Kindergarteners!  Please contact Rochelle at the YMCA for more information at 714-847-9622 or RCallis@ymcaoc.net.

Oak View Community Center
The YMCA is pleased to announce that we will be offering Jui Jitsu lessons at the Oak View Community Center.  This program is being offered, free of charge, to children in the community.  Several instructors have volunteered their time to teach the basics of Jui Jitsu to these deserving kids!  We would like to offer a special thank you to the following individuals for contributing funds to purchase the necessary equipment:  Jerry Moffatt, the City of Huntington Beach, and Lexus Headquarters in Torrance.  Thanks to everyone who participated in getting this program going!

Rotary Clubs of Huntington Beach: 2007 Sweet Charity Ball
The Rotary Clubs of Huntington Beach are pleased to announce that the 2007 Sweet Charity Ball, held on February 9 at the Hilton Waterfront Resort, netted over $60,000 to local charities!  This annual black tie event, hosted by the Rotary Club of Huntington Beach and Huntington Beach Sunrise Rotary Club, has become a wonderful way to support local youth and Rotary projects.  The West County Family YMCA was the featured charity for the event this year.  Proceeds will benefit the Oakview Community Center programs of the YMCA,  and local, national and international Rotary projects. The Sweet Charity Ball will be held on February 1, 2008 at the Hilton Waterfront Resort, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Huntington Beach.  Title sponsorships are available.  For more information, contact Suzanne Beukema at 714-968-5213.  Photo courtesy of Pat Demars.  Pictured from left to right are :  Suzanne Beukema, Del Hovden, Janie Wolicki and Sarah Atkinson.

Y-Guides & Princesses
Catalina is First Class this year and better than ever at West County Family!  Great Coastal Nation booked 2007 the day after returning home last year to ensure that the nation would have the whole hill and all the tent cabins for this year!  Now our numbers can grow to 300 and there will be no more waiting lists!  We've also added boxed lunches for Sunday so that our dads and sons don't have to stuff their pockets with extra breakfast food in order to make it until they reach the mainland before lunch!  Pacific Eagle Nation loved Camp Fox so much last year that they unanimously decided to return again this summer.  Guided Discoveries took over the camp and revived the marine biology programs, so our guides can now include shark tanks and marine life exhibits in their agendas!  Although Great Pacific Nation had a wonderful time last year at Camp Fox, they decided to alternate Catalina locations this year and go to Two Harbors.  They had to stay close to the beach though, and scooped up the few waterfront sites available to us!  Great Hunting Valley and the Trailblazers will continue to knock the aqua socks off their families, as they keep it exclusive with their own chartered vessel and top shelf catering brought over from the mainland!

Community Service Day at the Bolsa Chica Wetlands
Braves Accomplish Nation AIM

Over 130 Great Coastal Nation fathers and sons recently participated in a community service project at the Bolsa Chica Wetlands in Huntington Beach. The Bolsa Chica Conservancy provided the group an educational and wetland restoration experience they will never forget. The Conservancy staff and volunteers organized the project by setting up several activity stations throughout the Bolsa Chica trails and Interpretive Center. The stations focused on wetland plants, terrestrial animals, marine animals, invertebrates, a nature hike, and arts and crafts. The braves rotated among the stations throughout the day. The goal of the visit was to allow fathers and sons to engage in an environmental activity to teach them about habitat restoration and wetlands in general.

Activities included removing invasive plants that pose a threat to the wetlands, planting seeds by throwing mud balls, learning about the Bolsa Chica wetlands food chain, identifying and touching live ocean animals, and learning how nature connects all plants and animals to one another during a wilderness hike.

We would like to thank the Bolsa Chica Conservancy for organizing this event and giving us an opportunity to actually accomplish a very important Nation AIM: To seek and preserve the beauty of the Great Spirits' work in forest, field, and stream.

Welcome Sports Director Edgar Anzaldo!
We are pleased to welcome Edgar Anzaldo to our staff!  Edgar joined the YMCA in April as our full time Sports Director.  He is responsible for overseeing Itty Bitty Sports, youth sports, noontime sports and the Oak View Community Center programs.  Edgar earned his Bachelors Degree in Health and Sports Sciences from St. Gregory’s University in Shawnee, Oklahoma.  He has a strong background in sports management, coaching and youth sports.  Edgar can be reached at 714-500-5248, or EAnzaldo@ymcaoc.net.

Welcome New Board Members!

Suparna Lundquist

Patricia Margosian

West County Family YMCA is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to the Board of Managers.  Suparna Lundquist is a Business Analyst with The Irvine Company, and Patricia Margosian is a Sales Consultant with Paychex.  Patricia and Suparna are strong supporters of the YMCA, and will be a great asset to the organization!

Executive Director's Corner
It’s Spring!

Summer is just around the corner!  Your YMCA has plenty of events and activities to keep your kids busy, while developing character!  Consider enrolling your child in our summer childcare programs!  Weekly field trips are offered throughout the summer.  Kids have fun, and parents can rest assured that their children are well cared for.  We are also offering soccer leagues and clinics, along with track and field.

We are very excited to be sponsoring “Bikes for Kids.”  This program is to benefit the children of the Oak View Community in Huntington Beach.  If you are not familiar with the neighborhood, it is about one mile square, with over 10,000 residents.  More than 50% of the residents live below the poverty level.  Bikes for Kids will provide the kids in Oak View a bicycle of their own.  We are having a city wide bike drive!  Don’t know what to do with those bikes that your kids have outgrown?  How about those bikes collecting dust in the garage?  You can help make a difference for these kids!  Donate your bike by June 9.  You can either drop off your bike at the YMCA office, or call Bikes for Kids Chairman, Roy Gerber, at 714-273-5899 and we can pick them up!  We hope that you will join us in this great community service project!  We have partnered with the Knights of Pythias, who have generously agreed to supply new helmets to all the children who receive new bikes.  Won’t you help us make sure EVERY child has a bike?

Have a great, safe summer with your family.  Remember, the YMCA is for families.  Together, we build strong kids, strong families and strong communities!

JWolicki@ymcaoc.net

Janie Wolicki, Executive Director
West County Family YMCA

Nutrition Information (per serving)

20 calories 5 g carbs 1 g protein 0 g fat 1 g fiber 0 g sat.fat 0 mg chol. 150 mg sodium 174mg potassium 12mg calcium

Activate America Recipie:
Vegetable Salsa
Dietitian's tip: Store-bought salsa can have as much as 400 milligrams of sodium in 1/4 cup. This thick vegetable salsa has much less sodium — 150 milligrams in 1/2 cup. If you prefer hotter salsa, add 1/2 to 1 tablespoon finely chopped jalapeno peppers.

1 cup diced zucchini
1 cup chopped red onion
2 red bell peppers, seeded and diced
2 green bell peppers, seeded and diced
4 tomatoes, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 teaspoons sugar
1/4 cup lime juice
1 teaspoon salt

Wash vegetables and prepare as directed. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients. Toss gently to mix. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Serves 16.

 Activate America Healthy Nutrition Tips
West County Family YMCA strongly supports Activate America.
This program is designed to overcome childhood obesity and related diseases. Below are some healthy eating habits!

FOOD GROUPS TO ENCOURAGE

• Consume a sufficient amount of fruits and vegetables while staying within energy needs. Two cups of fruit and 2½ cups of vegetables per day are recommended for a reference 2,000-calorie intake, with higher or lower amounts depending on the calorie level.
• Choose a variety of fruits and vegetables each day. In particular, select from all five vegetable subgroups (dark green, orange, legumes, starchy vegetables, and other vegetables) several times a week.
• Consume 3 or more ounce-equivalents of whole-grain products per day, with the rest of the recommended grains coming from enriched or whole-grain products. In general, at least half the grains should come from whole grains.
• Consume 3 cups per day of fat-free or low-fat milk or equivalent milk products.
  FATS
• Consume less than 10 percent of calories from saturated fatty acids and less than 300 mg/day of cholesterol, and keep trans fatty acid consumption as low as possible.
• Keep total fat intake between 20 to 35 percent of calories, with most fats coming from sources of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, such as fish, nuts, and vegetable oils.
• When selecting and preparing meat, poultry, dry beans, and milk or milk products, make choices that are lean, low-fat, or fat-free.
• Limit intake of fats and oils high in saturated and/or trans fatty acids, and choose products low in such fats and oils.

CARBOHYDRATES

• Choose fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, and whole grains often.
• Choose and prepare foods and beverages with little added sugars or caloric sweeteners, such as amounts suggested by the USDA Food Guide and the DASH Eating Plan.
• Reduce the incidence of dental caries by practicing good oral hygiene and consuming sugar- and starch-containing foods and beverages less frequently.

SODIUM AND POTASSIUM

• Consume less than 2,300 mg (approximately 1 teaspoon of salt) of sodium per day.
• Choose and prepare foods with little salt. At the same time, consume potassium-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

• Those who choose to drink alcoholic beverages should do so sensibly and in moderation—defined as the consumption of up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.
• Alcoholic beverages should not be consumed by some individuals, including those who cannot restrict their alcohol intake, women of childbearing age who may become pregnant, pregnant and lactating women, children and adolescents, individuals taking medications that can interact with alcohol, and those with specific medical conditions.
• Alcoholic beverages should be avoided by individuals engaging in activities that require attention, skill, or coordination, such as driving or operating machinery.

FOOD SAFETY
To avoid microbial foodborne illness:

• Clean hands, food contact surfaces, and fruits and vegetables. Meat and poultry should not be washed or rinsed.
• Separate raw, cooked, and ready-to-eat foods while shopping, preparing, or storing foods.
• Cook foods to a safe temperature to kill microorganisms.
• Chill (refrigerate) perishable food promptly and defrost foods properly.
• Avoid raw (unpasteurized) milk or any products made from unpasteurized milk, raw or partially cooked eggs or foods containing raw eggs, raw or undercooked meat and poultry, unpasteurized juices, and raw sprouts.

Meet Dan Olson. Dan Olson joined the board of the West County Family YMCA in 1998.  He joined the Indian Princess program with his daughter, Monica in 1994, then later joined the Indian Guides program with his son, Shawn in 2000.  Dan and his wife Susie are long time residents of Huntington Beach.  Dan is a Certified Public Accountant and Financial Planner, and is the owner of Olson and Associates in Huntington Beach.  Dan and his family are members of Christ Presbyterian Church, and serves as the Board Development Chair and Major Gifts Chair for the YMCA.  Dan is very dedicated to the mission of the YMCA, and is a very valued board member.  Thanks, Dan, for all that you do for the YMCA!  You help us to build strong kids, strong families and strong communities!

19891 Beach Blvd., Suite 17
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714-847-9622 :: YMCAOC.org