“This name and structure reflect who we are and what we stand for,” said Sr. Judy Carle, vice chair of the Dignity Health Board of Directors and a Sister of Mercy. “The value of dignity is embedded in our culture. Our mission, vision and values were all formed out of the recognition of the inherent dignity of each person. We are confident that our vision for the organization will be achieved.”

Under the new governance structure, Dignity Health is a not-for-profit organization, rooted in the Catholic tradition, but is not an official ministry of the Catholic Church. The new structure and name enable the organization to grow nationally, while preserving the identity and integrity of both its Catholic and non-Catholic hospitals. The organization’s Catholic hospitals will continue to be Catholic, directly sponsored by their founding congregations, and adhering to the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services. Dignity Health’s non-Catholic hospitals will continue to be non-Catholic, adhering to the Statement of Common Values.

The changes follow several years of discussions between the organization’s sponsoring congregations, board of directors, and management team about the future of health care and how to best extend its healing mission. Dignity Health’s long term strategic plan is focused on integrated care and enhanced quality that reduces costs. Growth plans anticipate expanded partnerships, which will include both Catholic and non-Catholic care centers. The system currently owns or operates 25 Catholic hospitals and 15 non-Catholic hospitals.

Lloyd H. Dean, the organization’s president/chief executive officer said that the changes would enhance the organization’s ability to work across the spectrum of health care and expand partnerships to deliver high-quality care more efficiently.

“Changing our name to Dignity Health reflects our commitment to excellent care for all in need and to being a national leader in quality care,” Dean said. “The new structure supports our long-term plan to grow and coordinate care, while reinforcing our mission of service to the communities we are so privileged to serve.”

While the name of the organization has changed, Dignity Health will continue to deliver excellent care to all in need and maintain its commitment to being a national leader in quality care. It is investing approximately $1.8 billion in electronic medical records, which are being deployed over the next five years. Dignity Health has also been designated as one of the nation’s first Hospital Engagement Centers by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. The organization is also among those leading the nation in implementing innovative care models that improve care and reduce costs.

Dignity Health has also adopted a new logo, which represents the coming together of many caregivers, services and care centers to create a continuum of care. The three curved sections represent the three parts of the organization’s mission – quality care, advocacy, and partnering. The logo surrounds and embraces a central space, symbolic of how an integrated health system embraces and serves the individual.

Hospitals in our area include:

Members of the Board of Directors for Dignity Health are as follows:

Andrew C. Agwunobi, MD, MBA
Director, Berkeley Research Group
Hospital Performance Improvement Practice
Washington, DC

Judy Carle, RSM (Vice Chairperson)
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas – West Midwest
Community
Burlingame, CA

Caretha Coleman (Chairperson)
Principal, Coleman Consulting
Los Altos Hills, CA

Lloyd H. Dean
President/CEO, Dignity Health
San Francisco, CA

Mark DeMichele
Owner, Urban Realty Partners
Coronado, CA

Tessie Guillermo (Secretary)
President/CEO, Zero Divide
San Francisco, CA

Peter G. Hanelt
President, PGH Consulting, Inc.
Lafayette, CA

Rodney F. Hochman, MD
Chief Executive Officer, Swedish Medical Center
Seattle, WA

Julie Hyer, OP
General Councilor/Administrator,
Adrian Dominican Sisters
Adrian, MI

-from press release

Looking for a fun way to increase your activity level and keep that New Year’s resolution? Come check out Glenbrooke Bocce Ball.  There is group play schedule on Fridays and Saturdays - at a new time,  10:00AM.   If those times don’t work for you, round-up a few friends, neighbors, or family members  and head over to the courts - everything you need is there.

What exactly is  Bocce Ball?   According to Wikepedia:

Bocce is traditionally played on natural soil and asphalt courts 27.5 metres (90 ft) in length and 2.5 to 4 metres (8.2 to 13 ft) wide.[10]Bocce balls can be made of metal[11] or various kinds of plastic. Unlikelawn bowls, bocce balls are spherical and have no inbuilt bias. A game can be conducted between two players, or two teams of two, three, or four. A match is started by a randomly chosen side being given the opportunity to throw a smaller ball, the jack (called a boccino orpallino in some areas), from one end of the court into a zone 5 metres (16 ft) in length, ending 2.5 metres (8.2 ft) from the far end of the court. If the first team misses twice, the other team is awarded the opportunity to place the jack anywhere they choose within the prescribed zone.

The side that first attempted to place the jack is given the opportunity to bowl first. Once the first bowl has taken place, the other side has the opportunity to bowl. From then on, the side which does not have the ball closest to the jack has a chance to bowl, up until one side or the other has used their four balls. At that point, the other side bowls its remaining balls. The team with the closest ball to the jack is the only team that can score points in any frame. The scoring team receives one point for each of their balls that is closer to the jack than the closest ball of the other team. The length of a game varies by region but is typically from 7 to 13 points.[12]

Players are permitted to throw the ball in the air using an underarm action. This is generally used to knock either the jack or another ball away to attain a more favorable position. Tactics can get quite complex when players have sufficient control over the ball to throw or roll it accurately.

 

According to A-B-C- of Yoga:

Yoga is a form of exercise that adapts to your needs and abilities that it can be done even by Senior Citizens and prenant women and deals with your whole being. It makes your body fitter, the mind calmer and more relaxed. Yoga is also beneficial in the prevention and control of common health and emotional problems that is linked with Old Age. It helps you in becoming more in touch with yourself and your body enabling you to accept who you are and the state you are in which creates a positive approach in life.

It’s that time of year! Regardless of how you celebrate the holidays, you can’t escape the frenzy that happens during this week. Even when you are personally trying to stay calm
and happy, you have to put up with the those who aren’t quite so peaceful.

When people list their reasons for doing emotional eating, stress and fatigue usually rank at the top. And this time of year puts you at risk for way too much of both. When shopping, travel
plans or family issues make you feel like you’re ready to lose it, you need a quick way to regain your sanity. Here are some tools for “instant” stress recovery.

Do everything slowly

Stress overload shows up in subtle ways. When you drive past your highway exit, run into doorways, or threaten to kick the dog, you need to regain a sense of control. Whenever you feel
pushed to the breaking point, intentionally slow yourself down.

For a couple of hours or even the rest of the day, consciously talk, move, drive, even clean house at a slower pace than usual.  Slowing down puts you back in charge and prevents you from
adding more hassles on top of coping with your overwhelmed life.

Give total focus

When stress makes you feel scattered and unable to concentrate, take a few minutes to mentally shut out everything around you and give total focus to someone or something. If you’re with
other people, look into their eyes and listen to the conversation as if there was no one else in the world.

With your children, kneel down at their level and be totally present with them and their needs. If you are reading a book or working on a project, concentrate entirely on what’s in front of you.  A few minutes of total focus will calm you down and give you a sense of emotional control.

Light a candle

When your mind is racing, here’s a great way to calm it back down and quiet your spirit. Stop your activity and light a candle. Then sit quietly and gaze at it for several minutes.  Notice the way the flame moves and shifts. Watch for the tendrils of smoke rising from it.

Allow yourself to feel warm and cozy inside, as though the flame slipped inside your body and became part of your heart. When you finish, notice the sense of renewal that comes from allowing
quietness and light to replace the noise in your head.

Want to comment on this ezine? Click 'Reply' and send me a note.

Linda's blog: www.theweightlosscafe.com/blog

If you are new to the Wt. Loss Minute, go here to read the
previous issues:
http://weightloss-forlife.com/wt-loss-minute_317.html

Know others who've got a minute? Forward this ezine and
brighten their day.

© Linda Spangle, 2011. #1219, Weight Loss for Life, Inc.

For the rest of the story, click HERE.

We all know we should get rid of expired prescriptions and those that are no longer needed.   But did you know it is dangerous to toss them in the trash or even flush them down the toilet?

On October 29^th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Elk Grove Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.  Bring your medications for disposal to the Elk Grove Police Department at 8380 Laguna Palms Way #100. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Last April, Americans turned in 376,593 pounds - 188 tons - of prescription drugs at nearly 5,400 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,000 state and local law enforcement partners.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.  Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

Four days after the first Take-Back event in September 2010, Congress passed the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010, which amends the Controlled Substances Act to allow an “ultimate user” of controlled substance medications to dispose of them by delivering them to entities authorized by the Attorney General to accept them.  The Act also allows the Attorney General to authorize long term care facilities to dispose of their residents’ controlled substances in certain instances.  DEA has begun drafting regulations to implement the Act, a process that can take as long as 24 months.  Until new regulations are in place, local law enforcement agencies like the Elk Grove Police Department and the DEA will continue to hold prescription drug take-back events every few months.

The route is along Laguna Creek Parkway through pleasant greenways and residential areas and through historical Elk Grove.  Strollers, Wheelchairs, and well-behaved Pets are welcome.   On this walk you may see artistic heritage, authors and literary landmarks, historic churches and railroad heritageon this walk.   The start is at  Starbucks, 8868 Bond Road, Elk Grove and the  Start box is near the front counter in the seating area.     Water and restrooms available at StarBucks.

All Walking Sticks events are open to everyone, free, non competitive, and you don't even have to be a member to participate.

Location: Starbucks, 8868 Bond Road, Elk Grove, CA 95624

For more information contact: Martha or Ronnie Morris (916) 685-9901

E-Mail Contact: mrcattle@gmail.com

From Walking Sticks website

Be sure to send us your email address so that you get our Walk Alerts! Walk Alerts give you all the information you need to participate in our events like location, times, driving directions, etc. This email list will never be sold or used for non-club purposes and you may unsubscribe at any time. (We don't like spam either.)

If you prefer using regular mail, our address is:

Sacramento Walking Sticks

P.O. Box 277303

Sacramento, CA 95827-7303

50 Tips for keeping your mind active:

Travel. Anyone who has ever gone anywhere will tell you that traveling is one of the most exciting and life-changing activities that you can do. Observing a different culture will expand your mind while making you further appreciate the life you already live. This goes back to becoming an explorer: this world is your jungle so go explore! Who knows, maybe you’ll find a place you love so much that you decide to move. Imagine the positive repercussions a new environment could have on your life.

1. Develop the ability to forgive.Forgiveness is something that most people fail miserably at even thought it’s so simple. Grudges only bring more misery to those who hold them and prevent good relations with the target. YOU makes mistakes all of the time so why not have mercy when other do? Remaining angry feels horrible while forgiving someone brings a refreshing sensation to the mind and healing to the relationship.
2. Be the person that makes others feel special.Be known for your kindness and sympathy.
3. Learn to lucid dream, or to realize when you are dreaming so that you can control your dreams. Sleep feels good, but it’s rather boring and unproductive. With lucid dreaming under your belt, night-time can be even more exciting than when you are awake. You can do anything: fly, travel to other planets, party with a celebrity, get intimate with your dream boy/girl, etc. Many lucid dreams have also reported being able to speak directly with the subconscious during dreams by demanding to be taken to it after becoming lucid. For those that know a thing or two about your subconscious, that is a BIG deal.
4. Visualize daily.It has been said and proven time and time again that what you focus on is what you get. If you complain all of the time, you will run into more of the things you complain about. The same goes for good things like health, wealth and happiness. So spend some time in the morning imagining yourself achieving whatever it is that you currently desire. Focus is key in this exercise, so choose a quiet environment where you won’t be disturbed. If you’re having trouble focusing and continually find that your mind has wandered to something else, read about meditation in the following life tip. There is a lot more to this concept, so check out the full article on visualization and the law of attraction here.
5. Meditate everyday for at least 20 minutes.In this modern world where everyone is so connected to everything else via cell phones, TV and internet, most people rarely enjoy the beauty of silence. The ability to quiet your mind and relax your body is an art and skill that everyone should develop. Simply sit somewhere, preferably in nature, and focus on your breathing or try to think about nothing. This is going to be extremely hard at first! You might find it boring or just plain impossible to think of nothing, but you will get better and you will learn to love it. Post-meditation, you will feel extremely clear-headed and.. well, just plain wonderful. The only way to really understand this sensation is to try it.
6. Learn to control your mind.What kind of skilled human are you if you cannot even control your own thoughts? While the human mind is described as being a stream of consciousness, that does not mean you can’t decide where your stream flows. Techniques like meditation and the 3 ways to flush out negative thoughts will aid you immensely in learning to control your mind.
7. Learn to control your emotions.The only person that can make you unhappy is you! You are the one that decides to be affected by the words and actions of others. Realize this so that the next time you experience a negative emotion, you can find the strength within yourself to overcome it.
8. Take a class in speed reading.Books are full of information that can enhance your knowledge-base, vocabulary and yourself as a person. Speed reading is an easy way to get at this info faster so that you can have more time for other endeavors.
9. Relax!This one is for you workaholics out there (myself included). Yes, work is very important and productive but you need to take some time to chill out everyday or you are going to burn out faster than a candle with no oxygen. Additionally, you need to reward yourself for a job well done. What’s the use of doing all of that work if you can’t have a little fun from time to time anyways?
10. Work on making good first impressions.Practice a strong, firm handshake and the small talk that generally goes along with meeting someone for the first time. People won’t know what to think of you if you have nothing more to say beyond “My name is _______, nice to meet you.” Also make sure you remember names, as mentioned previously. Who knows, you may be going into business with or marrying this person you’re meeting for the first time if you make a good impression. Be sure and make an excellent one.
11. Learn to use your eyes to their full potential:
    • Make constant eye contact when in conversation. Looking away (especially down) is a sign of inferiority and uncertainty. Instead, look at your conversation partner dead in the eyes and keep them locked on
    • Master the piercing stare. You know when someone looks at you and it feels like they can see into your soul? Well that’s not a hereditary characteristic, it just takes practice. Work on sharpening your gaze in the mirror. You’ll know you have it when it’s intimidating to continue looking at yourself
    • Master the one-eyebrow raise. This one isn’t necessary by any means, but hey, why not? Pick a brow to learn with and go look in a mirror. Raise both of your eyebrows but use your hand to hold down the brow that you want to stay down. This will probably feel very stupid at first but if you keep trying, you will eventually pin down the muscle you need to flex to get that one brow up
12. Be mysterious.Don’t let off everything about you and definitely leave out some major details. There is something both alluring and mesmerizing about someone who no one knows fully about. I’m not saying to confide in no one or to alienate yourself. Just think James Bond.
13. Come up with a life mantra.You know, like “Carpe Diem” or “Live life to the fullest,” but not as cliché. Make it something that really hits home with you so that you will actually stick to it. Make sure it’ not so specific that it rarely applies but also not so general that it’s not personal.
14. Get good at something.Call it a hobby or a passion, whatever it is, just get damn good at it. Your occupation does not count! Make it something that you can practice often enough to excel at. Examples: Magic tricks, surfing, ping-pong, creating short films, and unicycling. It can be anything but I would recommend choosing something that: 1) You are passionate about 2) You can bust out at any moment to display your skills for any discerning crowd. My mind goes immediately to aerobatics and break dancing, but that’s just me.
15. Work out those abs.Above any other muscle group in the entire body, the abs are the most important. They constitute your core, the center point of your body. Your ability to balance comes almost completely from the strength of your abdominal muscles and balance is vital to performance in any physical activity. Summary: they’re very important. For more info on how to work out your abs, check out this video.
16. Keep your brain sharp.The majority of people are stuck in ruts. They go to the same job everyday, hang out with the same friends and eat at the same places. While that may feel safe, it’s not the most stimulating lifestyle for your brain. Those synapses have been built up enough, so try something that you do NOT know how to do! Buy a model car kit, master the art of sudoku or crosswords, or go pick up another major at your nearest college. The point is you need to be learning new things to keep your brain honest. Form new synapses by forcing your mind to work in ways it has not worked before. Just like physical workouts, doing too much of the same exercise will eventually give no results. Switch it up!
17. Read something inspirational right before bed and after waking.This will set get you in a great mood for sleep and for the day. Read anything from a famous speech to your favorite self-improvement book. Try to read something that get’s you really excited in the morning especially so that you’ll leave your house beaming with energy and wonder.
18. Do what you love.There is a huge difference between making a life and making a living; which one are you making right now? So many spend their entire lives trying to make as much money as possible so that they can afford to do what they really want later. It makes no sense to settle in life until you’re 65 so that you can retire and do what you want when you’re already WAY past your prime. We only live life once so why wouldn’t you want to spend it pursuing your bliss? To do anything else would be a tragic waste of the freedom you are allowed if you are reading this right now. Follow your bliss and you will be a thousand times more happy than your retirement date and 40+ years younger.
19. Choose your friends wisely.You are affected far more than you think by the people you spend your time with. Do your friends share your values? Do they encourage you when you speak of your goals and dreams or do they scoff? Make sure the people around you are conducive to the lifestyle you want to lead or you will find yourself being dragged again and again into behavior that distances you from your desires. Friends with a habit of producing negative thoughts will especially hinder you. This can be a hard task to follow through with if you realize you good friend is one of these saboteurs, but you must be firm! Don’t let anyone get in the way of you being all that you can be.
20. Don’t burn bridges.By that I mean maintain your relationships with people even if you think you are never going to see them again. For example, if you are quitting your job, don’t chew out your boss before leaving! You might run into him/her again later and life and wish you had never severed ties so harshly. You never know when you might need the help of someone you knew in the past. Plus there is already too much hatred in this world, why add more towards the people you interact with?
21. Keep a journal/diary.It sounds like a very monotonous habit at first, but when you get into it, that little book will become a great way to organize your thoughts and track your growth over the years. Most of us already stay awake in bed at night pondering the events of the day anyways so why not document those thoughts in an organized fashion? That will allow you to look back and observe how your way of thinking has changed over time.
22. Read “New Pyscho-Cybernetics” by Dr. Maxwell Maltz.This book will explain why the content of your thoughts has such a profound effect on your life through religious, philosophical and scientific arguments. A must read for completely understand who this life thing works.
23. Learn to use and trust your subconscious/intuition.When you spend time in silence everyday, listen not for words but for a feeling that tells you to do something. Do not mistake your own reasoning and thoughts for those of your subconscious. If you can track where the thought came from, (this thought led to that thought which led to this thought, etc.) then it was not from your subconscious. Learning to accurately discern between the two will allow you to tap into knowledge that you don’t consciously have.
24. Develop a charismatic personality.You know, the kind of personality that is surrounded by people constantly and is the life of the party. Start visualizing yourself as THAT person. Maybe take a short course on dynamic speaking and learn some jokes. Take the time to learn some party tricks and sleight of hand. Most importantly, believe that you already are charismatic even if you fail at being the center point of the next party. Lie to yourself constantly and tell yourself that you are more warm and gregarious than Ronald Regan. Belief is the first step! Reality will come soon after.
25. Love is all there is.If you truly want to be a master of life, let love be in your every action. Love your friends, family and enemies alike. This is the most difficult thing to do out of this entire list, which is why it is listed at #50. But if you accomplish this, you will be seen as a leader among everyone that allows hate, envy, disgust and all other negative emotions into their lives. Think Gandhi. Love is so rare in this world when compared to the massive presence of hate that by exuding love, you will immediately see yourself and the people around you change. Love. Love. Love.

**Edit: Check out Part 2 — 50 (More) Life Secrets & Tips!**

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The league will start on Thursday, September 22nd at 10:30 AM.  The cost is $12.00 per week.

For more information on Glenbrooke teams, contact  Dick Towers/Diane Huff, (see their story HERE) or Joyce Byers (all listed in the 2011 resident directory).    To contact Strikes Center, call 226-BOWL.

League Bowler Benefits:

- 2 FREE games per week
- Half OFF Practice Games (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
- 15% OFF in COACH’S Restaurant
(With Your League Appreciation Card)
- FREE Rental Shoes Anytime