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FRIENDS SPEAK OF DEMOCRACYYMCA YOUTH & GOVERNMENT

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A newsletter for members and volunteers of the Y

NORTH VALLEY FAMILY YMCA

11336 Corbin Ave, Northridge, CA 91326

October2012

www.ymcala.org/nv

OURVOICE

FOOD FORTHOUGHTA HEALTHIER HALLOWEEN

It actually IS possible to have a healthier Halloween for your children. Start by passing out kid-friendly treats contain-ing whole grains, 100% fruit juice and other essential nutrients. Here are 10 great ideas that all come in snack-size packages:1. Whole-grain cheddar flavored crack-ers2. Fruit snacks made with 100% fruit with added vitamin C3. Fruit leathers made with 100% fruit4. Sugar-free gum5. Animal-shaped graham crackers made without trans fat6. Mini rice cereal treat bars7. Cereal bars made with real fruit8. Individual fruit cups9. Mini 100% fruit juice boxes10. Baked, unsalted bags of pretzels

YOUTH & GOVERNMENT PROGRAMNOW AT NORTH VALLEY FAMILY YMCA!Youth & Government (Y&G) teaches the values of democracy by creating citizen leaders to experience government first-hand and learn how to solve community problems through the democratic process. The program also de-velops in these youth an attitude of self-help and self-confidence for their personal future.

Y&G is a six-month program in which high school delegates role play various positions within California State Legislature and the State Court Systems.

Join your local North Valley Family YMCA Delegation and create bills to be submitted to the Model Legislature, research and practice court cases, and attend the three annual Model Legislature and Court conferences.

INSPIRINGLEADERS

DEMOCRACY MUST BE LEARNED BY EACH

GENERATION

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OUR VOICE | A newsletter for members and volunteers of the Y

COLOR OUR WORLDY ARTS WEEK

For the 4th year in a row, we’ve joined the nation-wide Y Arts Week. But, we’ve taken it a step further, working to include the whole school population in the event. This year’s theme for Y Arts Week was “Renaissance Around the World” and it was a huge success! Each school was assigned a country and participated in arts activities specific to their assigned country. At the end of the week art pieces and projects were displayed at the North Valley family YMCA in preparation for our Y Arts Week culminating event.

The 4th Annual Art Walk took place on Friday October 5th at the Y, showcasing the work of students from 14 elementary, 4 middle schools and 2 preschools. In addition, community artist came out to display their art work and craft pieces. The Club Mid program from Porter Middle school hosted an “Israeli Bakery” that sold baked goods to raise money for the Model UN program that they are involved in. The Art Walk was also a place to come and try your talents in dance classes like hip hop, Hawaiian and Tahitian dance taught by volunteer teachers from the community! With each year that passes, Y Arts Week is an anticipated event, and we look forward to spreading our love for the arts with our community through quality programming.

INSPIRING LEADERS

CONTINUED FROM P. 1Y&G teaches the values of democracy by creating citizen leaders to experience government first-hand and learn how to solve community problems through the democratic process. The program also develops in these youth an attitude of self-help and self-confidence for their personal future.

Students will be given an arena to test their beliefs, share their frustrations, examine their ethics and broaden their knowledge.

• While 66% of the general population reported being reg-

istered to vote, 96% of Y&G alumni were registered to vote.

• 54% of the general population voted in the last presiden-

tial election, 86% of Y&G alumni voted in that same election.

• 43% of Y&G alumni worked with others on a community

issue, only 17% of the general population did so.

• 36% of Y&G alumni are members of a board, compared

with 3% of the general population.

Every Wednesday, 6:30-8:30pm, delegates meet at the North Valley Family YMCA to discuss issues facing California, as well as ways to implement their solutions through the legislative and judicial processes. Delegates will write and debate bills, prepare briefs, practice public speaking, all while making new friends and traveling across the state of California.s.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK & CHECK OUT OUR VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE. FIND LINKS AT: WWW.YMCALA.ORG/NV

WHY YOUTH & GOVERNMENT?

OUR VOICE | A newsletter for members and volunteers of the Y

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS• Fall Child Care: Sign Up NowProviding a safe, nurturing environment for children to learn, grow and develop social skills, we provide before and after school licensed childcare at 13 schools throughout the valley. Featuring fun, theme-oriented curriculum including arts and crafts, sports, recreation, homework time, enrichment and a dedication to helping kids reach their personal potential. Speak to Nicole Casper for details at ext 2390.

• Summit Seekers Hike: October 13, 9amHike Level: Moderate Join us at Serrano Canyon in Sycamore Canyon for a 5.5-mile, moderate hike. All the hikes are free and open to the community and geared for beginner/intermediate hikers. Children are welcome to attend as long as an adult accompanies them. As always, remember to bring plenty of water and snacks. See you on the trail! Contact Jody Guerrero for details: JodyGuerrero@ymcala.org

• Member Appreciation Day: October 24thYou make us special! Join us between 8am & 12pm or 2pm & 5pm for healthy foods from Ed DeSouza and let us thank you for being a part of our Y family.

• National Character Counts Week October 21-27, 2012. Join us as we partner with our local schools to celebrate our youth through different activities, skits, projects and songs around the 6 pillars of character

• Parents’ Night Out: October 19th Parents, want a night out? Bring the kids to the YMCA for fun, games, sports, arts and crafts, snacks and swimming (ages 8 and up) while you enjoy time to yourself! Register at the Welcome Center. Only $17 per child.

• Harvest Festival: October 27th, 2-5pm Read more pn P.4

• NOVEMBER TO REMEMBER: November is Diabetes Awarenes MonthJoin us for a host of acitivities to build awareness and help families understand and cope with diabetes in their lives. Events include: Diabetes Awareness Day on Wednesday, November 14th, Active Older Adult Sympo-sium, Member Incentive Game and more.

• 25th YMCA Booster Club Dinner: November 15th Read more to the right!

• Thanksgiving Baskets: November 19thBaskets given to families in need. Donations welcome. To donate or recommend a family in need, please call Debi Mayer at the Y.

• Turkey Tri: November 22ndHere’s your chance to compete in a triathlon! Come to the Y on Thanksgiving Day to burn off those pre-turkey calories! The distance for adults is a 5 lap swim (250 yards), 5 mile bike, 1 mile run/walk outside. All ages can participate. For kids, 9 years or younger, enter the Tiny-Tri: 2 lap swim (100 yards), 3 mile bike, 1 mile run/walk outside. All par-ticipants receive a Turkey Tri t-shirt! Sign up at the front desk by November 15. Only $15 per participant.

Thursday, November 15th, Knollwood Country Club

Chair: Councilmember Mitchell EnglanderThanks to contributions from this unique event, the North Valley Family YMCA provides nearly 13,000 children with programs that promote youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, so that kids of every age grow into compassionate, healthy and successful adults.

Sponsor packages and tickets still available. Contact Debi Mayer at 818-368-3231 x2335 or DeborahMayer@YMCALA.org

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK & CHECK OUT OUR VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE. FIND LINKS AT: WWW.YMCALA.ORG/NV

FOOD FOR THOUGHTCONTINUED FROM P. 1 For more fun at home try this great PIZZA MUMMIES RECIPE

What you’ll need• English muffins• Pizza sauce• Black olives• Scallions• Red or green pepper• Cheese sticks or slices

How to make it:1. Heat the oven to 350º F. For each mummy, spread a tablespoon of pizza sauce onto half of an English muffin (toast it first, if you like).2. Set olive slices in place for eyes and add round slices of green onion or bits of red or green pepper for pupils.3. Lay strips of cheese (we used a pulled-apart cheese stick) across the muffin for the mummy?s wrappings.4. Bake for about 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the muffin is toasty.

Source: http://www.eatright.org and http://spoonful.com

SPOOKYSAFE FUNHarvest Festival: Saturday, October 27th, 2-5pmNORTH VALLEY FAMILY YMCAOPEN to the COMMUNITY! FUN for ALL AGES!Only $15 or 3 bags of candy per family

Dress up and come together for the most spooktacular fun you’ll have this fall! Bring your own trick or treat bags and don’t miss out on:

• The Ghost Busters Car will be here!• InflatableObstacleCourse• WiffleBallContestforKids• Trunk or Treat Cars and Contest• YMCA Youth Class Performances • “Get Shaved” Ice Truck & Sugar Shack goodies for $1 each•Halloween Arts and Crafts for kids, Spooky Games, Face Painting and more!• YMCA Thanksgiving Basket Give Away Program• Tour our Y and get a Free 7-Day Guest Pass!

Join us!11336 Corbin Avenue Northridge, CA 91326(818) 368-3231 | www.ymcala.org/nv