Travel Day -> CA, MN, OR & KS

31.California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state. California's diverse geography ranges from the Pacific Coast in the west, to the Sierra Nevada mountains in the east – from the Redwood–Douglas-fir forests of the northwest, to the Mojave Desert areas in the southeast. The center of the state is dominated by Central Valley, a major agricultural area. California contains both the highest and lowest points in the contiguous United States (Mount Whitney and Death Valley), and has the third-longest coastline of all states (after Alaska and Florida). Earthquakes are a common occurrence due to the state's location along the Pacific Ring of Fire: about 37,000 are recorded annually.
Admission into statehood: September 9, 1850
Abbreviation: CA
Nickname: The Golden State - Between California's explosive growth following the discovery of gold in 1848, the fields of golden poppies that appear each spring throughout the state, the golden gate bridge, and the clear, golden coastal sunsets over the Pacific - California truly is the golden state! Capital: Sacramento CLICK HERE FOR FUN FACTS ABOUT CALIFORNIA
CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT ANCIENT REDWOOD TREES
CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT DEATH VALLEY

32. Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state on May 11, 1858. Known as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes", the state's name comes from a Dakota word for "sky-tinted water". Those waters, together with forests, parks, and wilderness areas, offer residents and tourists a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities.
Admission to statehood: May 11, 1858
Abbreviation: MN
Nickname: Land of 10,000 Lakes
Capital: Saint Paul
CLICK HERE FOR FUN FACTS ABOUT MINNESOTA

Minneapolis Skyway System is a pedestrian walkway system that is located on the second level of buildings located in downtown Minneapolis. Minneapolis is home to the largest continuous skyway system in the world. The system is all climate controlled and links 69 blocks over seven miles. The skyways are owned by building owners with varied opening and closing times. The Minneapolis skyway connects hotels, restaurants and venues such as; the Target Center, Nicollet Mall, Block E, IDS center, Foshay Tower, Minneapolis Convention Center and more. The first Minneapolis skyway was designed by Edward Baker, whom is considered "the father of the skyway system". CLICK HERE TO VIEW A SLIDESHOW OF THE SKYWAY

CLICK HERE TO VISIT WALNUT GROVE, THE LITTLE TOWN WHERE LAURA INGALLS WILDER GREW UP

33. Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern boundaries, respectively. The area was inhabited by many indigenous tribes before the arrival of traders, explorers, and settlers who formed an autonomous government in Oregon Country in 1843. The Oregon Territory was created in 1848. Admission to statehood: February 14, 1859
Abbreviation: OR
Nickname: The Beaver State, originating in the early 19th century when fur hats were fashionable and Oregon’s streams were an important source of beaver pelts. The trapping routes used by early "mountain men" later became known as The Oregon Trail, traveled by thousands of pioneers in the 1840's. The beaver is also Oregon's official state animal and appears on the state flag.
Capital: Salem
 CLICK HERE FOR OREGON FUN FACTS

Multnomah Falls is a waterfall on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge. The falls drops in two major steps, split into an upper falls of 542 feet and a lower falls of 69 feet, with a gradual 9 foot drop in elevation between the two, so the total height of the waterfall is conventionally given as 620 feet. Multnomah Falls is the tallest waterfall in the State of Oregon. It is credited by a sign at the site of the falls as the second tallest year-round waterfall in the United States but that claim is debated among waterfall experts. CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE MULTNOMAH FALLS

CLICK HERE FOR SOME SCENIC VIEWS OF OREGON

34. Kansas is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States.[5] It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name (natively kką:ze) is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south wind," although this was probably not the term's original meaning. Residents of Kansas are called "Kansans." Admission to statehood: January 29, 1861
Abbreviation: KS
Nickname: Sunflower State
Capital: Topeka
CLICK HERE FOR FUN FACTS ABOUT KANSAS
CLICK HERE TO PHOTOS OF KANSAS
71 UNKNOWN FACTS ABOUT THE WIZARD OF OZ

Healthy Habits -> Vitamin B1 Thiamine

Vitamin B1, also called thiamine or thiamin, is one of 8 B vitamins. All B vitamins help the body convert food (carbohydrates) into fuel (glucose), which is used to produce energy. These B vitamins, often referred to as B complex vitamins, also help the body metabolize fats and protein. B complex vitamins are needed for healthy skin, hair, eyes, and liver. They also help the nervous system function properly, and are needed for good brain function.

All B vitamins are water-soluble, meaning that the body does not store them.

Like other B complex vitamins, thiamine is sometimes called an "anti-stress" vitamin because it may strengthen the immune system and improve the body's ability to withstand stressful conditions. It is named B1 because it was the first B vitamin discovered.

Thiamine is found in both plants and animals and plays a crucial role in certain metabolic reactions. Your body needs it to form adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which every cell of the body uses for energy.

It' s rare to be deficient in thiamine, although alcoholics, people with Crohn' s disease, anorexia, and those undergoing kidney dialysis may be deficient. Symptoms of thiamine deficiency are fatigue, irritability, depression and abdominal discomfort. People with thiamine deficiency also have trouble digesting carbohydrates. That allows a substance called pyruvic acid to build up in their bloodstream, causing a loss of mental alertness, difficulty breathing, and heart damage, a disease known as beriberi.

Beriberi

The most important use of thiamine is to treat beriberi, which is caused by not getting enough thiamine in your diet. Symptoms include swelling, tingling, or burning sensation in the hands and feet, confusion, trouble breathing because of fluid in the lungs, and uncontrolled eye movements called nystagmus. People in the developed world usually don' t get beriberi because foods such as cereals and breads are fortified with vitamin B1.

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a brain disorder caused by thiamine deficiency. Wernicke-Korsakoff is actually two disorders: Wernicke's disease involves damage to nerves in the central and peripheral nervous systems. It is often caused by malnutrition due to alcoholism. Korsakoff syndrome is characterized by memory problems and nerve damage. High doses of thiamine can improve muscle coordination and confusion, but rarely improves memory loss.

Cataracts

Preliminary evidence suggests that thiamine -- along with other nutrients -- may lower risk of developing cataracts. People with plenty of protein and vitamins A, B1, B2, and B3 or niacin in their diet are less likely to develop cataracts. Getting enough vitamins C, E, and B complex vitamins -- particularly B1, B2, B9 or folic acid, and B12 -- may further protect the lens of your eyes from developing cataracts. More research is needed.

Alzheimer's disease

Lack of thiamine can cause dementia in Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. So researchers have speculated that thiamine might help Alzheimer's disease. Scientific studies have not always shown any benefit from thiamine, however. More research is needed before thiamine can be proposed as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

Heart failure

Thiamine may be related to heart failure because many people with heart failure take diuretics (water pills), which help rid the body of excess fluid. But diuretics may also cause the body to get rid of too much thiamine. A few small studies suggest that taking thiamine supplements may help. A multivitamin, taken regularly, should provide enough thiamine.

Dietary Sources:

Most foods contain small amounts of thiamine. Large amounts can be found in pork and organ meats. Other good dietary sources of thiamine include whole-grain or enriched cereals and rice, legumes, wheat germ, bran, brewer's yeast, and blackstrap molasses.

Available Forms:

Vitamin B1 can be found in multivitamins (including children's chewable and liquid drops), B complex vitamins, or if can be sold individually. It is available in a variety of forms, including tablets, softgels, and lozenges. It may also be labeled as thiamine hydrochloride or thiamine mononitrate.

How to Take It:

As with all medications and supplements, check with a health care provider before giving vitamin B1 supplements to a child.

Daily recommendations for dietary vitamin B1 according to the National Academy of Sciences are listed below.

Pediatric

• Newborns - 6 months: 0.2 mg (adequate intake)
• Infants 7 months - 1 year: 0.3 mg (adequate intake)
• Children 1 - 3 years: 0.5 mg (RDA)
• Children 4 - 8 years: 0.6 mg (RDA)
• Children 9 - 13 years: 0.9 mg (RDA)
• Men 14 - 18 years: 1.2 mg (RDA)
• Women 14 - 18 years: 1 mg (RDA)

Adult

• Men 19 years and older: 1.2 mg (RDA)
• Women 19 years and older: 1.1 mg (RDA)
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women: 1.4 mg (RDA)

Doses for conditions like beriberi and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome are determined by a doctor. For Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, thiamine is given intravenously.

A daily dose of 50 - 100 mg is often taken as a supplement. Thiamine appears safe even these doses but you should talk to your doctor before taking a large amount.

Precautions:

Because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications, you should take dietary supplements only under the supervision of a knowledgeable health care provider.

Thiamine is generally safe. Very high doses may cause stomach upset.

Taking any one of the B vitamins for a long period of time can result in an imbalance of other important B vitamins. For this reason, you may want to take a B complex vitamin, which includes all the B vitamins.

Possible Interactions:

If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use vitamin B1 without first talking to your health care provider.

Digoxin -- Laboratory studies suggest that digoxin, a medication used to treat heart conditions, may reduce the ability of heart cells to absorb and use vitamin B1. This may be particularly true when digoxin is combined with furosemide (Lasix, a loop diuretic).

Diuretics (water pills) -- Diuretics, particularly furosemide (Lasix), which belongs to a class called loop diuretics, may reduce levels of vitamin B1 in the body. It's possible that other diuretics may have the same effect. If you take a diuretic, ask your doctor if you need a thiamine supplement.

Phenytoin (Dilantin) -- Some evidence suggests that some people taking phenytoin have lower levels of thiamine in their blood, and that may contribute to the side effects of the drug. However, that is not true of all people who take phenytoin. If you take phenytoin, ask your doctor if you need a thiamine supplement.

SOURCE ARTICLE HERE

Many natural food sources contain thiamine.

• Asparagus
• Avocado
• Brown rice
• Brussels sprouts
• Eggs (in the yolks)
• Fish
• Leafy, green vegetables
• Liver
• Mushrooms
• Peas
• Poultry (general)
• Quorn (myco-protein)
• Rice bran
• Spinach
• Wheat germ
• Whole grains – bread, pasta
• Yeast

The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of thiamine for a woman is 1mg per day, whilst for a man it is 1.5mg. People who are deficient in thiamine may experience fatigue, irritability, depression and abdominal discomfort.

Medical ID Cards

It is VERY important that you keep a medical ID card with you at all times. In the event of an emergency, emergency responders (even doctors/nurses!) need to know how to treat you and/or your symptoms. By providing them with an easy to read ID card they will have a list of your medications, medical history, allergies and your emergency contacts right at their finger tips.

CLICK HERE TO START YOUR MEDICAL ID CARD

Follow the link above to make your ID card. When you are finished, print out the card then give it to me (Sharlotte) and I will laminate it for you!

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August Schedule

Weds. August 1  & Thurs. August 2 

CLOSED
 

Tues. August 7 

9:15-12:00 One-on-One By Appointment Only

1:15-2:15 Top-Secret Project 

2:15-4:45 Open Lab

Weds. August 8 

9:15-12:00 Open Lab

1:15-2:15 Home Users Club – Meet in the Community Room for interesting discussion on computers/technology. If you have computer questions or are having a problem with your computer this class is a great opportunity to get answers!

2:15-4:45 Open Lab

Thurs. August 9 

9:15-12:00 Open Lab

1:15-2:15 Emergency ID Cards
2:30-3:30 Emergency ID Cards

3:30-4:45 Open Lab

Tues. August 14

9:15-12:00 One-on-One By Appointment Only

1:15-2:15 Top-Secret Project
2:15-4:45 Open Lab

Weds. August 15 

9:15-12:00 Open Lab

1:15-2:15 Travel Day - This month we’ll be visiting California, Minnesota, Oregon & Kansas.  Sign-up sheet on bulletin board.  As always, the links will be posted on the BLOG for the home users!

2:15-4:45 Open Lab

Thurs. August 16 

 9:15-12:00 Open Lab

1:15-2:15 Fun with Keyboarding – Learn the keyboard using thought-provoking exercises.  Not only is this class helpful for your typing skills, it gets your brain going AND we have a lot of fun!

2:15-4:45 Open Lab

Tues. August 21

9:15-12:00 One-on-One By Appointment Only

1:15-4:45 Open Lab

Weds. August 22 

9:15-12:00 Open Lab

1:15-2:15 English As A Second Language

2:15-4:45 Open Lab

Thurs. August 23 

9:15-12:00 Open Lab

2:00 Monthly Birthday Party – Meet in the Community Room.

3:15-4:45 Literati Challenge! – Sign-up sheet on bulletin board.

Tues. August 28

9:15-12:00 One-on-One By Appointment Only

1:15-4:45 Open Lab

Weds. August 29 

9:15-12:00 Open Lab

1:15-2:15 T-Shirts, Totes & Aprons

2:30-3:30 T-Shirts, Totes & Aprons

2:15-4:45 Open Lab

Thurs. August 30 

9:15-12:00 Open Lab

1:15-2:15 Newsletter/Bulletin Board Class – Help with the monthly newsletter and the bulletin board in the lobby. Sign-up sheet on bulletin board.

2:15-4:45 Open Lab