The LMY Community Connection

Last Wednesday, hundreds of Coloradans participated in “Bike to Work Day!”

As described on the City of Longmont's official webpage - "The City of Boulder first celebrated Bike to Work Day more than 25 years ago. The Colorado Department of Transportation then began promoting it statewide, and, in 1995, the Denver Regional Council of Governments began helping the area's cities and counties link their individual events together. Bike to Work Day is celebrated in Longmont as well as many other communities along the Front Range and in the mountains."

This year, the Longmont Y was one of a dozen local businesses to provide "breakfast stations" for biking commuters. Many riders stopped by the Longmont Y's breakfast station to enjoy a smorgasbord of tasty breakfast treats. Coffee, energy bars, popcorn... Santiago's burritos were a particularly hot commodity!

Bicycle riders were thrilled to stop fueling their cars with expensive gasoline and start fueling their bodies with tasty breakfast snacks! The Y's pitstop also distributed information about Longmont's extensive bike routes, cycling safety, and other bike-friendly resources.

Though "Bike To Work Day" has passed, its never too late to strap on a helmet and enjoy the endless benefits of biking your daily commute:

* Biking cuts commuter costs (i.e. gas, vehicle maintenance, parking, etc.)

* Biking improves physical fitness

* Biking is GREAT for the environment!

* Biking is therapeutic, alleviating stress and improving overall wellbeing

* Biking is FUN!

Still not convinced? Click here for 60 great reasons to shift gears and pedal!

He is 10 years old and attends Y Camp.  No matter how many times staff ask him to stay with his group, he wanders away. Most often, it’s not very far. But, for safety reasons, camp rules require him to stay close.

The camp counselor finds that talk and reason do little to keep the camper engaged.  If the youngster is not interested in trying something new, he will not stay. He has had numerous talks with the camp counselor, site director, and even the Youth Development Director.

Last week was the first time the camper wandered beyond the confines of camp. He walked toward the street and out of view. He was sent home under the stipulation that he could return to camp only if he agreed to follow the rules and stay among his fellow campers. But would that be enough to ensure his safety?

Camp staff asked Longmont Police Officer Alan Baldivia if he would speak with the camper about the dangers of leaving camp unsupervised. Officer Baldivia agreed.

He came to camp in uniform and introduced himself to the wander-prone camper.  The boy was nervous, but Officer Baldivia quickly made him comfortable. He spoke about what can happen to kids who are alone in the heat without adult supervision. He described how police respond when there is a missing child and how many officers it takes to search the premises. Officer Baldivia also explained the consequences of wasting police resources unnecessarily and the importance of being a good citizen so police can concentrate on other responsibilities.

The camper listened closely. What he took most seriously was when Officer Baldivia asked him to promise not to wander away from camp. “A promise is a man’s word. It’s his honor and all a man truly has. When a man gives his word, he can’t go back on it. He seals it with a handshake. Promise me we won’t leave camp any more.” The camper solemnly shook Officer Baldivia's hand, agreeing to stop his wandering ways.

Alan left camp having made a difference. Not only did he ensure the wander-prone camper's safety, but he also merited boundless gratitude from our Y camp staff.

We can all sleep better at night knowing that Longmont police officers demonstrate outstanding respect, caring, and community-mindedness.

The Longmont Y would like to extend a resounding thank you to the Longmont PD and one of its finest: Officer Alan Baldivia.

Love potatoes? Try substituting fingerling potatoes in your favorite dish. Fingerling potatoes are a good source of potassium just like regular potatoes, but they are also high in antioxidants, which help protect your body’s cells from damage that can lead to heart disease or cancer.

Need an idea of how to prepare fingerling potatoes? Try this potato and turkey sausage skillet recipe.

Turkey Sausage and Fingerling Potato Skillet

• 1 pound fingerling potatoes, cubed
• 3 tablespoons water
• 3/4 pound smoked turkey sausage, cut into 1/4-inch slices
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 4 cups fresh baby spinach or mixed greens

Place potatoes and water in a microwave-safe dish. Cover and microwave on high for 4 minutes or until tender; drain.

In a large skillet, saute sausage and onion in oil until onion is tender. Add potatoes; saute 3-5 minutes longer or until sausage and potatoes are lightly browned.

Combine the brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, thyme and pepper; stir into skillet. Bring to a boil.

Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 2-3 minutes or until heated through. Chop spinach by rolling several leaves into a tight bundle and slicing at ½ inch increments. Add spinach and cook, while stirring, until spinach is wilted. Serve immediately.

Yield: 4 servings.

When you enter the Longmont Y, you will almost certainly be welcomed by one of our friendly Welcome Desk Representatives. They may smile, wave, and chat as they check you in. By offering a warm welcome and friendly conversation, these men and women strive to leave you with good feelings and improve your workout.

Though you may see the Welcome Desk staff on a weekly (perhaps even daily) basis, have you ever stopped to wonder who you're chatting with? Behind every smiling face, there is a unique person with passions, skills, and interests.

Recently, I was lucky enough to learn of a secret doodling society! An underground club whose members are Y employees by day and doodling artists by night (or late afternoon at least)!

Amazing doodles are being drawn and exchanged by employees. Doodles are being stashed in folders and mailboxes. Little "somethings" to brighten one another's days.

Welcome Desk Representatives Mallory Hochwender and Francisco Sandoval have exposed their doodling artist identities.

Mallory leaves Glen the Grizz for Francisco:

And Francisco responds with Sheryl the Sheep:

The cycle continues, from one to the other, until folders and mailboxes are stuffed with fantastic doodles!

One might ask, how can I infiltrate this super-cool and not-so-secret society? If a doodle were left on the Welcome Desk counter for Mallory or Francisco, I’m sure its creator would be welcomed.

Only one question remains. Who else is participating in the underground doodle club?

Need reprieve from Colorado's scorching summer heat? Visit the Longmont Y and bask in the shade of our newly-completed pavilion!

As Longmont residents experience one of the hottest Junes in recorded Colorado history, the pavilion's completion could not be more opportune! Already, this beautiful structure is providing a shady haven for Y Summer Camp participants. For the first time in 8 years, the Longmont Y has its own cool, comfortable, and spacious location for Summer Camp activities, eliminating the need to rent space from St. Vrain Valley School District.

The pavilion, generously funded by the Boulder County Worthy Cause Fund, is truly an oasis! Pack a picnic, bring a friend, and visit the pavilion today!

Although Y campers occupy the structure weekday mornings and afternoons, the pavilion is open for visitors weekdays after 6:00pm and all weekend long!

We played! We ate! We met new friends!

Wednesday, June 20th marked the first "official" day of summer! It also marked the debut of Longmont Y's "Play Every Day Outdoors" program!

It was a beautiful summer's evening in Carr Park. Local kids retired from the playground and volunteered to help prepare for the event. After decorating and setting up activity stations, our young helpers bolted home and begged their parents to join the festivities. They did... in DROVES!

Together, families snacked on fresh fruit and vegetables. They played catch, frisbee, and soccer. They hula hooped, jumped rope, and designed family t-shirts. As the evening drew to a close, participants shared ideas for future sessions. Many family members were thrilled by the prospect of sharing food, playing games, and going on occasional excursions!

“I’m having so much fun!” one dad yelled to me as I took his picture. “This is so cool. Why didn’t we think of this?”

In a sense... he did! "Play Every Day Outdoors" is designed by Longmont families, for Longmont families. That means each Wednesday-night event is tailored to meet the unique needs of our Longmont community. Every week, we invite local families to share with us their favorite ways to play. We ask, "in a world without barriers or obstacles, how would you choose to interact with your family and community?" From camping to kick-the-can, parents remember how they used to play as children and recall how important it is to do things as a family.

As for the aforementioned barriers? We remove them.

"Play Every Day Outdoors" is a FREE program. With weekly sessions lasting only 1.5 hours, every family can make time to play. Healthy snacks are provided, giving parents and children the energy they need to have a rollicking good time. And an added bonus: Play is good for mind, body, and soul. What better way to celebrate the summer, embrace your family, and strengthen your community!?

"Play Every Day Outdoors" was devised by The Longmont Y in partnership with Northridge Elementary School. The program is made possible by generous funding from the Northwestern Mutual Foundation. This grant-funded initiative is designed to promote healthy living, outdoor play, and family fun.

Come learn what "Play Every Day Outdoors" is all about! Event are hosted in Carr Park every Wednesday (excluding July 4th) between June 27th and August 15th. Festivities last from 6:30pm to 8:00pm.

Come play with us! I promise you’ll be glad you did, or your money back!

When I think about it, it brings visions of playing outside; discovering weird bugs and the virtues of mud; making friends I could never have met anywhere else; and creating crafts I’d keep forever as mementos of my youth. Camp is much the same today, minus awful 70’s fashions and a lack of safety concerns.

This year, Longmont Y summer camps are introducing something new and exciting! What makes Y Camp so different, you ask? Global Learning!

Global Learning may not sound exciting, but read on! This amazing initiative is revolutionizing the summer camp experience!

Global Learning helps kids identify their own culture, celebrates and educates about a variety of other cultures, and recognizes that each and every one of us is an active participant in today's global community. How do we teach Global Learning? THAT’S the exciting part. We do it through fun!

Before delving into the HOW, let's take a moment to discuss WHY. Why is Global Learning important? I’ll let YouTube explain:

With everyone and everything just a click away, our world is growing “smaller." Kids are paying more attention to the space between their thumbs than the world around them. Why not use youngsters' natural curiosity and love of technology to educate rather than placate?

Most of us learn better when subject matter pertains to us. That's why camp participants began by researching their own personal and familial cultures. From there, Y kids broadened their horizons.

During the second week of camp, kids focused on their neighborhoods. Do our neighborhoods have cultures? Are we friends with our neighbors? How are our neighborhoods similar to and different from others?

One of the kids' favorite activities was building an American grocery store. The kids created shelves, food, and money, before "going shopping." The activity fueled discussions about grocery shopping in other countries. What do other grocery stores look like? What do they stock? How often do we consider countries where there are no grocery stores? We thought hard about this subject and imagined how life might be if we were born outside the U.S.

Last week, Y campers researched the culture of Longmont. Longmont certainly has its own history and quirks. Together, we discovered the secrets of the Longmont Geese, created our own hometown attractions, and even learned about Longmont's humble beginnings.

In the coming weeks, campers will celebrate the cultures of Colorado, the Southwest, and the greater United States. Then we'll venture across the globe to other mysterious and exciting lands! During "Asia week," kids will perform an ancient tea ceremony and discuss China's population crisis. We’ll discover South American sports and learn why the rainforest is so important. We’ll understand why Antarctica is unfit for human survival, but perfect for penguins!

Global Learning is all about our place in the world. By understanding other cultures, we can make the global community a better place for everyone!

Knowledge is power. This great video says it best:

We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but how many of us are bored of cold cereal and buttered toast. It’s time to make breakfast more exciting!

Whole Wheat Crepes

• 3 Eggs
• 1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
• 1 Cup 2% Milk
• 3/4 Cup Water
• 1 Tablespoon Honey
• 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 1/4 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
• 1 Tablespoon Butter (melted), plus more for cooking

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend on high until well mixed. Let the mixture stand in the refrigerator for 15 minutes (or over night if more convenient).

Melt butter in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Hold the pan at an angle and pour 1/3 cup of batter. Quickly swirl the pan in a circular motion so that the batter coats the surface evenly. Cook for about 1 minute, using a spatula gently peel up the edge and flip, being careful not to tare the crepe. Cook for 1 more minute. Repeat with remaining batter. Best when served immediately!

Crepes go wonderfully with a variety of toppings and fillings so keep breakfast exciting by experimenting with fresh fruit, cream, maple syrup, or even savory dishes like scrambled eggs. The great thing about these crepes is they are made with whole wheat flour, which incorporates fiber and protein into your breakfast.

Over the past few weeks, I have been spending a lot of time in the pool area. It’s true that we’ve had a shortage of lifeguards, but this gives me an opportunity to re-connect with kids, families, lap swimmers and others that use our pool for fitness or recreation.

As busy as our pool gets with Day Camp, aerobics classes, and multitude of families, it always amazes me how quiet and peaceful it is on weekend mornings. So this past Sunday morning as I was waiting for swimmers, I thought of a few tips that I wanted to share.

Here are a few things you can do to have a better experience in the YMCA pool.

• Get to know the lifeguard. They are here to keep you safe and monitor the many uses and users of the pool. Ask questions. Share comments. Let them know about your experience at the pool. Did you know that one of the lifeguards is going to school to be a paramedic?
• If you like a quiet pool for swimming laps or exercising, I would avoid week day afternoons. Open swim starts at noon each day and the Y Day Camp fills the place with tons of energy and excitement.
• At least 2 lap lanes are available at all times in the Y Pool.
• We have swimming lessons for all ages.
• We aim for a temperature of 84.5 degrees. This is a compromise between lap swimmers, water aerobics classes, and youth swim lessons.

Enjoy the pool, be safe and remember our 4 character values: respect, responsibility, honesty, and caring.

FROM LIVE WELL LONGMONT:

Fed up with spiking prices at the petrol pump? Want to ditch the car, reduce your carbon footprint, and add  more fresh air and exercise into your day, too? You’re not alone. The City of Longmont feels your pain, and has launched a Bike Share Program for City employees.  The small pilot program allows city employees the opportunity to check out bikes to ride between campuses, or for short errands, such as at lunchtime.

There are significant benefits to commuting by bike, especially when it comes to running short errands; it’s no wonder these environmentally friendly programs are sweeping the country. Cyclists who take advantage of bike-share systems can save money, offset emissions, and burn calories, all in one. What’s more, such a combination can’t help but reap rewards in the form of less stress, a little added exercise, and greater happiness, too.

Made possible by the City of Longmont Wellness Program, a fleet of 13 B-Cycle bikes are now stationed at several City facilities, available for employees to borrow during regular working hours. Each bike is equipped with a basket, a bell, a lock, front and rear lights, and an adjustable seat. Adjustable helmets are also provided…and required. Longmont’s choice to take measures to ensure bicycle safety is commendable, and perhaps trendsetting, too. According to a recent study published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine, only a tiny minority of bike-share bicyclists in the cities of Boston and Washington wear helmets. The study’s author, emergency room doctor Christopher Fischer, concluded that as bike share programs become more popular, efforts to increase helmet usage among riders will surely increase.

Routine maintenance will be performed on the bikes, so all you need is a pre-ride check, and you’ll be ready to go. "We're very excited about our employee bike share program, and the way it encourages healthy living and a clean environment, which the City supports," says Erin Fosdick, a Senior Planner with the Economic Development Department and part of an informal committee of City employees who undertook the effort of building and launching the program. Fosdick says there is interest in exploring the potential of a larger bike share program in Longmont for the future. So far, the outlook is promising. "During our first month, we've already logged about 250 miles!" Fosdick shares.

Read the rest of the article here.

On Thursday, June 14th a volunteer team from Google Boulder assembled at the Longmont Y. "Google Serve" chose the Longmont Y as their community partner for a day of volunteer service. THANK YOU, Google Serve, for your hard work, generous spirit, and logistical expertise! You're magnificent problem solving has greatly enhanced our Educational Farm! Case in point:

1) Lumber was woven into new compost bins. They look like large wooden baskets!

2) Our "chicken tractors" were outfitted with wooden, pull-down doors. Now our feathered friends will be shaded on hot, sunny days.

3) Need a level? There's an app for that! The Farm's new garden plots are straight and true, thanks to one Google volunteer and his smartphone's handy level application.

4) The Google team developed a mathematical algorithm to optimize orchard layout! Okay... maybe not. But they DID use their phones to triangulate tree position!

5) Google volunteers put their heads together to overcome the challenge of growing carrots in rocky soil. Their solution? Plant each start in a bottomless plastic cup! What simplicity and finesse!

Here are some shots of the Google team in action:

Can't get enough? The Google Serve team was also featured in this video and a newspaper article within the Longmont Times-Call!

FROM LIVE WELL LONGMONT:

New Vegetables: Boost Your Cooking Confidence by Mary Collette Rogers

Ollin Farms, just south of Longmont, is growing a new Asian green called Hon Tsai Tai. Ollin's Mark Guttridge was telling me about it at the Farmers' Market. Our conversation was a perfectly pleasant one--until he plopped a bunch of greens into my hands and said, "Try 'em!" While I smiled my thanks, inside I groaned. What in the world was I supposed to do with that gangly bunch of vegetation?

Step 1: Get after it The closer to rotting an odd veggie gets, the harder it is to tackle. So I pulled it out for experimentation the very next day.

Step 2: Learn from similar vegetables Although I'd never seen Hon Tsai Tai, it shared the basic characteristics of other Asian greens, i.e., tender leaves and sturdy stems. So I applied the same cooking approach: separate the two, then cut the stems fairly small and cook them for 5 to 10 minutes before adding the leaves, which need only a few minutes to wilt.

Step 3: Season and combine with familiar ingredients Again, taking a cue from other Asian greens, I figured I'd be safe seasoning Hon Tsai with my standard Asian trio of garlic, ginger and Thai chili paste (the bottled varieties for speed). I also combined the greens with brown rice and ground turkey--versatile additions that go with practically anything. The result was a perfectly balanced and healthful skillet stew.

Step 4: Take a flying leap. Life holds little in the way of certainty, but trying a new vegetable is pretty low on the scale of potential risks. At some point, you just have to take a flying leap and experiment. What's the worst that can happen, after all?

At least 75% of the people I work with cite boredom as a significant cooking barrier. Today's Hon Tsai adventure reminded me that it doesn't take much to replace mealtime boredom with a little interest and pizzazz. Have fun!

Mary Collette Rogers runs Every Day Good Eating, a non-profit dedicated to creating a new culture of delicious cooking and eating with seasonal, local and healthful foods. Through its New Kitchen Cooking School, the organization offers an interesting range of classes and events.

Has your life been touched by a staff member, program, or experience at the Longmont Y? We'd love to hear about it! Already, dozens of members have shared their uplifting and inspiring stories:

"The Y has literally saved my life. I needed to shower, but had no money. They let me shower so my first day of work would be great! It was the next step out of homelessness and toward the life I had before the lousy economy. All due to kindness from the YMCA."

"My child feels (and is) safe here. She says 'at the Y we,' not, 'at the Y they.' She takes ownership, because she loves it here!"

"I love the instructors. I love the classes. I love the Welcome Desk people. I love it ALL!"

You can find these stories (and many more) on our "Why We Love the Y" bulletin board.

Do you have a story to share? Visit the Longmont Y Welcome Desk today. Share your story and read those shared by other community members. Whether a silly sketch, quick comment, or sincere anecdote, your words strengthen our mission, our YMCA, and our community!

Check out this interesting article from the Times Call, that briefly features the Longmont Y.

Smoke from High Park Fire Chases Longmont Camps Indoors

Summer is a wonderful time! It means fun activities, exciting places to visit, and a long break from school. Unfortunately, summer doesn’t mean a break from work or lots of extra time on your hands. So if you are looking for a quick and healthy summer dish to prepare before the baseball game or bring to the potluck, this recipe is perfect for you!

I chose fresh Mediterranean ingredients for my pita pizza, but the wonderful thing about this recipe is it can be altered for any occasion or any taste. Just remember that if you choose to add meat, extra cooking time may be required.

• 4 Whole Wheat Pita Pockets

• 1 Cup Marinara Sauce

• 2 Cups Mozzarella Cheese (grated)

• ½ Red onion (chopped)

• ½ Cup Kalamata Olives (sliced)

• ½ Cup Marinated Artichoke Hearts (sliced)

• ¾ Cup Cherrie Tomatoes (cut in half)

• Salt, pepper, and oregano to taste

• Olive oil for brushing

Lightly brush the edges of the pita pocket with olive oil so that it will brown nicely in the oven. Spread an even layer of marinara sauce over the pita bread then simply layer on the other ingredients: tomatoes, onion, olives, artichoke, and finally the cheese (saving the cheese for last will help keep the other toppings in place after cooking). On top of the cheese, sprinkle salt and pepper to taste and don’t forget the oregano! This little herb gives the perfect final touch to the dish.

Now slip the pita under the oven’s broiler for about 30 seconds to one minute (be sure to watch the pizza carefully because it can burn in no time). Remember you are just browning the cheese on top, so it won’t take long.

There you have it, a delicious summer meal in less than 10 minutes! The added bonus of this dish is its high amounts of monounsaturated fats. These “good fats” have been shown to decrease the risk of heart disease and assist with blood sugar control, which is vital for people with type 2 diabetes.

Looking for an excellent day camp? Don't settle for anything but the best!

The Times-Call's "Readers' Choice Awards" have named the Ed & Ruth Lehman YMCA home of the "Best day Camp" in St. Vrain Valley!

Each year, the Times-Call gives readers an opportunity to vote for their favorite businesses in St. Vrain. Categories run the gamut, from restaurants to auto mechanics. The Longmont Y is honored to have earned the distinction of "Best Day Camp," as well as "Best Health Club" runner-up.

After learning of the Y's recent achievement, Youth Development Director Giselle Lehmann shared words of gratitude:

"Many thanks to the wonderful Longmont Times-Call readers who voted for 'Summer Y Camp!'  We are honored to be chosen by our community and strive to provide the fun, educational, value-oriented, and safe camp experience that families have come to expect!"

From all of us at the Longmont Y: Thank you for your votes and ongoing support! We are proud of our strong community ties and will to continue strengthening individuals, families, and the Longmont community at large.

It's not too late for your family to experience the best Summer Camp in St. Vrain! Learn more about Summer Y camp by visiting our website!

Summer Camp registration takes place at the Longmont Y every Tuesday from 5:00 to 6:30pm. Alternative appointments may be made by contacting Giselle Lehmann at 720-652-4731 or glehmann@longmontymca.org.