Friday, March 31, 2023

Robin Pacitti , Registered Dietition, Speak on Nutrition Topics

Robin Pacitti, spoke to us on weight loss and nutrition as it pertains to chronic disease prevention. 


She gave us ideas and suggestions on making diet adjustments for a healthier more satisfying lifestyle. Her goal was to help us achieve health and weight goals through eating delicious, nourishing foods.

To learn more about Robin Pacitti and Nutrition for a Heathier Life, Click here.


To get a copy of Robin's handout, Click Here

Friday, March 24, 2023

Doug Crawford part 2 - Speaking on the subject of child abuse

 Click here to view the recording of his presentation.

The slides used in Doug's presentation can be seen by clicking here

For the purpose of understanding child abuse, last week we first explored the functions of the Amygdala, the Motor Cortex, and the Prefrontal Cortex of the human brain.  The Amygdala is associated with Feelings, Affect and Temperance. The Motor Cortex is associated with Actions, Behavior and Courage.  The Prefrontal Cortex is associated with Thought, Cognitions and Prudence.


We discussed how our adult brain develops in the present by drawing on memories from the past and projections of the future.  We noted philosophical differences between the Platonic Ideal and the Aristotelian Real in knowing the past, present and future.  We defined the type of love that helps to facilitate meaning, purpose, insight.


Metaphorically, by examining the movie “Alfie,” we examined how psychological difficulties arise as a result of an imbalance among Feelings, Actions and Thoughts as we seek meaning and purpose of self within the context of life.  


We proposed that both the Abused and the Abuser experience psychological difficulty determining what is relevant and life-sustaining throughout life.


For the Abused and the Abuser to gain healthy functioning, they must incorporate propositions, procedures, perspectives and participatory ways of knowing.  By way of clarification we looked at the example of learning how to ride a bicycle.


To ride a bike a person must understand how a bike functions, learn the procedures necessary to pedal and maintain balance, adopt the perceptions of experienced riders who are less likely to fall and finally ride with others on the roads and bike paths. The rider seeks to attain the deepest level of knowing while rolling on the road of life.


Memory contributes significantly in attaining the deepest level of knowing.  Propositional knowing involves recalling Semantic definitions of words and concepts (bicycle, balance).  Procedural knowing enables performance of tasks (pedaling while maintaining balance).  Episodic Memory or Perspective knowing involves recalling earlier experiences within a specific context and the accompanying emotions (an adult teaching a child how to ride a bike for the first time). Participatory memories help us refine Identity and ability to manage Feelings, Actions, and Thoughts (riding with others in the bike club).


All types of knowing contribute to discovering purpose and meaning of life. They help us to survive and establish loving relationships.  


Now this week, we will examine their application within the framework of Child Abuse.


After examining intervention for the abuser,  you will see what could be done for Kenny, an abused, neglected, and objectified preschooler, who was propositionally mute, procedurally withdrawn, unresponsive to adult perspectives, and would not participate in normal childhood activities. 


Thank you for your participation 

Doug

Thursday, February 23, 2023

2-23-02-23 Bob Dugan and Umpiring

UMPIRING - Bob Dugan


 Bob Dugan tells the 65 Club how he got into umpiring and what it takes to be an umpire. He also shared with us some of the major league rules changes for the comming season.


Click Here to view this video



Friday, January 27, 2023

Finn Ritter and her mom, Megan Ritter tell us about their fundraising initiative

 

Click here to view this presentation

The Gift of Sport
 is an individual fundraising initiative created in 2021 by (at the time, 12 year old) Finnley Ritter to help support Camden student-athletes. Through her Donald Polk emPOWERment Program, Finnley is seeking to fund pre-paid training for Camden sports teams / athletes to attend the Parisi South Jersey speed school. She is also seeking to raise, donate, and provide additional funds and material goods to various Camden-based youth athletic organizations so that they are better able to serve their young athletes.  Finnley's goal is to help give Camden youth athletes the gift of sport, through which they can build mental and physical strength, self-confidence, and self-worth.  

PLEASE consider donating to The Gift of Sport / the Donald Polk emPOWERment Program.  
Your donation will help support Camden-based student-athletes:




Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Trip to Urban Promise 01-20-2023

 Trip to Urban Promise

Following a visit and presentation at our Club by Tam of Urban Promise, six members of the club visited the Campus of Urban Promise in Camden. It was a rewarding day to see the description of the school in action. 

It was very impressive to see what is being done for the children of Camden by this dedicated group of individuals. It gave us all thoughts of how we can help, not just with financial support, but with some hands-on involvement. It should be an interesting board meeting in February.






Thursday, January 19, 2023

K9 Companions by Marietta Harrington-Levy

  Marietta Harrington-Levy Shares Her Experiences Raising Dogs to be K9 Companions

 Click here to view this presentation

At K-9 Companions, the service dog training program is different than most in that they involve the dog owner in the actual training. If the owner is not physically capable, an assistant who will be involved in the day-to-day care of the dog must be present for the training.

Service dogs are specially trained to assist people with certain disabilities and conditions, including:

  • Mobility impairment
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Mental illnesses including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)