Archive for the ‘Events’ Category

In recognition of Heart Month (Feb.), an event titled “Heart Health,” will be presented by Michelle Burkett, RN, of Newsome Home Health Care at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, at The Timbers of Shorewood retirement community, 1100 N. River Rd., Shorewood.

The American Heart Association is promoting a heart healthy campaign by designating February as Heart Month. An additional campaign titled “Act in Time” is in place to increase people’s awareness of heart attack and the importance of calling 911immediately at the onset of symptoms.

Signs that indicate a possible heart attack is happening are:

• chest discomfort;
• discomfort in other areas of the upper body;
• shortness of breath; or
• cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. Every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event which is most often a heart attack. One person dies every minute from heart attack.

Fatty material and other substances form a plaque build-up on the walls of coronary arteries which supply blood and oxygen to the heart. This buildup causes the arteries to get narrow and decreases the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart. Without enough blood and oxygen, a heart attack can happen.

Some risk factors for heart disease like age, gender, genes, and race are factors that cannot change. Controllable risk factors, however, like diet, exercise, lifestyle and medical treatment can be changed and adjusted.

A healthy lifestyle and diet are the best weapons in the fight against heart disease. Simply walking more or participating in an exercise routine can greatly improve the overall cardiac health of an individual.

The Timbers of Shorewood is a rental retirement community which provides senior independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The lecture is open to the public and admission is free. For more information or to register, call Shelly Goggins at 815-609-0669.

The Timbers of Shorewood is a rental retirement community which provides independent living and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information contact Shelly Goggins at (815) 609-0669.

The Flat Cats Swing Band will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12, at the Timbers of Shorewood retirement community, 1100 North River Road, Shorewood.

The Flat Cats blend vintage and modern music including the hottest swinging jazz, jump blues, steamy standards, modern classics, ballads, and toe-tapping western swing.

The six–piece Flat Cats has performed at many different venues and events throughout the Midwest, including Navy Pier, the Drake Hotel’s Palm court, the Arcada Theatre, the legendary Willowbrook Ballroom, Pete Miller’s, Green Dolphin Lounge, and the Summer Dance Series in Grant Park.

The Flat Cats consist of Amanda Wolff, vocals; Jonny Kostal, tenor sax; Kevin Gawthorp, baritone sax; Stuart Olsen III, electric guitar; Nathan Kawaller, bass; and Barry Rose, drums.

The Timbers of Shorewood is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information call Shelly Goggins at 815-609-0669.

Accordionist Bob Doczak takes the stage for the July Concert in the Park from 6:30 – 8 p.m. Sunday, July 24, on the outdoor patio at The Timbers of Shorewood, 1100 N. River Rd., Shorewood. The public is invited to the free concert.

Born in Joliet, Doczak grew up in a neighborhood that consisted of Slovenians, Croatians and people of Polish descent so polka music literally filled the streets. With 42 years in the polka business, he is one of the key organizers of the annual Illinois Polka Festival held each February in Naperville.

The popular series of summer evening concerts called “The Timbers’ Concert in the Park” is a favorite event. A few years ago, neighbors with homes near The Timbers heard the music, and they started setting up lawn chairs in their yards. Staff at The Timbers invited them to join the residents, and today, concerts are an amiable blend of residents, neighbors, friends, families, and the public.

The Timbers of Shorewood is a rental retirement community which provides senior independent living and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

Again, the event is free and open to the public. For more information, call Shelly Goggins at 815-609-0669.

William G. Grant, O.D. of Vision Mission Group will present a ‘Quality of Life’ health seminar about the eyes at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 26, at the Timbers of Shorewood retirement community, 1100 N. River Rd., Shorewood. The public is welcome to join the residents for this free presentation.

As the economic crisis continues, some seniors may believe it’s reasonable to skip their annual eye exam. But for the older population, it’s critically important to keep tabs on the silent stealers of sight – cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease.

By age 65, one-in-three Americans have some form of vision-impairing eye disease.

By detecting and treating eye disease early through annual, comprehensive dilated exams, seniors can do so much to preserve their sight.

Cataracts

A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision. Most cataracts are related to aging and are very common in older people. In fact, by age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery.

The symptoms of early cataracts may include fading colors, poor night vision, cloudy or blurry vision, double vision, or frequent prescription changes. These symptoms can be improved with new eyeglasses, brighter lighting, anti-glare sunglasses, or magnifying lenses. If such remedies don’t help, surgery is the only effective treatment. Surgery involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. The visual results are typically excellent with modern surgical techniques.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a disease that can damage the eye’s optic nerve. It is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States and the most common cause of blindness among African-Americans. More than three million Americans have glaucoma, but half do not realize it because there are often no warning symptoms.

In most cases, there are no symptoms during the early stages of the disease. However, as glaucoma progresses, it slowly damages the optic nerve fibers of the eye and the peripheral field of vision narrows which can create “blind spots.” Anyone age 60 or older are at risk and especially so if there’s a family history of glaucoma

Medication in the form of eyedrops or pills is the most common early treatment for glaucoma. Laser procedures or surgery are available options when needed.

Age related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in Americans 50 years of age and older. ARMD is a disease that blurs the sharp, central vision you need for straight-ahead activities such as reading, sewing, and driving. ARMD affects the macula, the part of the eye that allows you to see fine detail.

ARMD occurs in both a wet and dry form of the condition. Slow occurring or “dry” ARMD affects 90 percent of those with the condition. Fast occurring or “wet” ARMD affects 10 percent of ARMD cases. Slightly blurred vision is the most common symptom of ARMD. Other symptoms may include wavy lines or a blind spot in the center of the field of vision. Those at risk are people over age 75, women, smokers, those with a family history of the disease, and people with elevated cholesterol.

Medication and/or laser surgery can aid some cases of wet ARMD. At the present time, there is no effective treatment for advanced dry ARMD, however treatment can delay and possibly prevent intermediate ARMD from progressing. More ways to slow the progression is to take a good multi-vitamin, stop smoking, wear UV protective sunglasses outdoors, and eat plenty of green leafy vegetables.

Diabetic eye disease

Approximately 16 million people in the United States have diabetes and one-third of them do not know it. People with diabetes are 25 times more likely to become blind. With early detection and proper treatment, severe visual loss can usually be prevented.

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease and is a leading cause of blindness in American adults. It is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. In some people with diabetic retinopathy, blood vessels may swell and leak fluid. In other people, abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina. Laser procedures and surgery are available options when needed.

People with diabetes should have a professional eye examination as soon as their diabetes is diagnosed and at least once a year thereafter. It is also extremely important to monitor and manage blood sugar levels. By detecting and treating diabetic eye disease early through annual, dilated eye exams, people with diabetes can preserve their site.

The Timbers of Shorewood is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

For more information, call Shelly Goggins at 815-609-0669 or visit http://www.timbersofshorewood.com.

The Timbers of Shorewood presents a “Quality of Life” seminar featuring Leslie Barna, RN, BSN. She will provide information about strokes at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 14, at The Timbers of Shorewood, 1100 N. River Rd., Shorewood. The public is welcome at this free presentation.

Barna is the coordinator of the stroke program at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet. She will share life saving information including important signs and symptoms of a stroke.

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted or severely reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. Within a few minutes, brain cells begin to die.

Stroke is a medical emergency, and prompt treatment of a stroke is crucial. Early treatment can minimize damage to the brain and potential stroke complications.

The good news is that strokes can be treated, and many fewer Americans now die of strokes than was the case 20 or 30 years ago. Improvement in the control of major risk factors for stroke — high blood pressure, smoking and high cholesterol — is likely responsible for the decline.

The Timbers, an independent and assisted living community, presents senior-related seminars, programs, and panel discussions on a monthly basis as a part of its “Quality of Life” series.

Again this event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit http://www.timbersofshorewood.com or call Judy Malin at 815-609-0669.

Joliet area senior citizens are invited to the 6th Annual Seniors’ Senior Prom titled, “A Tropical Summer Night,” from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 25, at The Timbers of Shorewood retirement community, 1100 N. River Rd., Shorewood.

The Jay Mau Orchestra will provide the music of the Big Band era, and the evening will feature dancing, raffles, and all the prom trimmings. A special moment will be the crowning of the king and queen of the prom.

As a part of the South Pacific-themed prom, the Royal Polynesian Revue will present a special show with hula dancers accompanied by the drums and ukulele. The dancers will show off several costumes from the Pacific Islands, and audience members will be taught dances and songs.

For 20 years, the Royale Polynesian Revue has been performing in the Chicago area. The troupe is composed of musicians, dancers, and host Pesi Mauga who is from the island of Samoa. Mauga sings dances, plays the ukulele, connects with the audience with personality and charm. The troupe performs dances from Hawaii, Samoa, Tahiti, and New Zealand.

The Jay Mau Orchestra

This 10-piece band has been tempting couples onto the dance floor at about 35-40 gigs a year, The Timbers being a favorite.

“It’s a wonderful sight to see so many people enjoying themselves,” said Judy Malin, activities director at The Timbers of Shorewood. “Jay plans an interesting mix of music to dance to – foxtrots, waltzes, Cha-Chas, and all the rest.”

While World War II tunes and Broadway hits were heard over America’s airways, little Jay Mau was slicing through the air with pointed index fingers leading other five-year-olds as the director of his kindergarten rhythm band. The clatter of those crayon-colored xylophones, trumpets, kazoos and tin drums were music to the ears of Jay Mau who would later find his way to instruments, a seat in several bands, and his ultimate beat as leader of his own orchestra.

Mau played trombone and tuba in grade school. As a member of The Jimmy Stevenson Swing Band, he got fellow classmates hopping during school ‘sock-hops” at Lockport High School. The band always wore black slacks, white dress shirts and lace up shoes called “white bucks.”

After two-years in the US Navy, Mau got a job with a polka band, then with The Al Piazza Trio. Mau worked with Donna Rae and The Gentlemen four nights a week, and for a decade, with the Roy Gordon Orchestra. When Roy Carlos “Gordon” died in the mid-1990s, Mau purchased the orchestra, its name and music book. He merged Gordon’s book of ‘30’s and ‘40’s tunes to include dance hits from the next 30 years. Then, he renamed it The Jay Mau Orchestra.

The Timbers of Shorewood is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The prom is open to the public and admission is free, but space is limited. Reservations are required. For more information or to register, call Judy Malin at 815-609-0669 or visit http://www.timbersofshorewood.com.

The Timbers of Shorewood will host a Senior Expo from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 26, at The Timbers of Shorewood, 1100 N. River Rd. A Heartland Bood Drive will take place during the expo.

The expo will highlight not-for-profit groups, government agencies, healthcare professionals and businesses providing services to seniors in the greater Joliet area.

Dozens of organizations will provide educational information, wellness consultations, financial tips, and more. Free diabetes testing, blood pressure screenings and chair massages will also be offered.

Organizations will include:

• ATI Physical Therapy
• Bank of Shorewood
• Basinger’s Pharmacy
• CVS Pharmacy
• Dive Providence
• Faber Dental Arts
• First Midwest Bank
• Groups on the go Travel
• Heritage Makers
• Hillcrest Healthcare
• Home Helpers
• Ingalls Hospice
• Investment Solution Services
• Jewel Osco Pharmacy
• Joliet Area Hospice
• Mary Kay Cosmetics
• Newsome Physical Therapy Center
• NiCor
• Pre-Paid Legal
• Provena
• Sax Shoes
• Shaklee
• Shorewood Family Medicine
• Signature Agency
• Sonja
• Tom Cross
• Vision Mission Group

The Timbers of Shorewood is a rental retirement community providing independent and assisted living apartments as well as a full schedule of activities and services.

Admission to the expo is free and open to the public. For more information, call Faith Varga at 815-609-0669 or go to: http://www.timbersofshorewood.com.