AACOG Region April 2005 Newsletter

2005 Texas Conference on Aging
comes to San Antonio

We are “Blazing the Trail … to Aging Texas Well!” at the 2005 Texas Conference on Aging that will be held April 24 through April 27, at the Omni Hotel in San Antonio, Texas. The Texas Conference on Aging is the premier state conference devoted exclusively to successful aging and effective service delivery for mid-life and older adults.

This will be the 24^th conference sponsored jointly by the Texas Association of Area Agencies on Aging, the Department of Aging and Disability Services, A.A.R.P., and the Texas Association of Aging Programs. This year's conference invites you to choose from 29 workshops offering a variety of education opportunities. With stimulating workshops, motivational plenary sessions, and numerous networking opportunities, this year’s conference is sure to engage and inspire.

Bexar Aging Point of contact: Debbie Billa

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Administration on Aging Recognizes
Bexar Area Agency on Aging as a
You Can! Program Champion

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On March 10, 2005, the U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA), announced the selection of 17 You Can! Program Champions, including the Bexar Area Agency on Aging, at the 2005 Joint Conference of the American Society on Aging and the National Council on the Aging. The You Can! Steps to Healthier Aging campaign aims to boost physical activity and improve food choices among older Americans, and has enrolled more than 1,850 partners nationwide since the campaign launch last September.

Click here to find out about the Bexar Area Agency on Aging's Diabetes Prevention Program in San Antonio, Texas, that is taking the You Can! message to seniors.

Bexar Aging Point of contact: Debbie Billa

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Area Agencies on Aging Announce
New Alamo Area Gold Pages

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AACOG Alamo and Bexar Area Agencies on Aging have just released a new resource directory called The Gold Pages. The Gold Pages is filled with information for seniors and/or their caregivers. This is a comprehensive listing of products and services available in the AACOG region. There is even a listing of physicians and surgeons that work with seniors. In addition to the resources available in the area, you will also find a lifestyle guide, which includes information about activities of interest, attractions, and a calendar of events. Both Area Agencies on Aging are very excited about The Gold Pages and feel that it captures a broad view of what is available in the AACOG region to seniors and/or their caregivers. The Gold Pages is free of charge. Contact the AACOG offices to request a copy of The Gold Pages, or access www.aacog.com/goldpages.

Gold Pages Point of contact: Tina Smith

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Air Quality Health Alert Fair

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The 2005 Air Quality Health Fair, formerly called Ozone Season Kickoff, will be at San Pedro Springs Park (1315 San Pedro Blvd.) on April 9, 2005, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is an event for the whole family to learn how they can do their part in cleaning-up the air.

There will be about 20 educational tables with FREE giveaways. Take a drive through Car Care Alley where anyone can learn how to perform basic maintenance checks on their car to get better gas mileage. Come see the Hybrid Electric Vehicles on display like the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic. There will be all kinds of games and activities for the kids: VIA Classroom on Wheels, Face Painting, Kite Making, Scavenger Hunt, Air Quality Bean Bag Toss, and more… Come get a FREE bike tune-up by Bike City. Get a FREE tree from City Public Service. MAGIC 105.3 FM and other organizations will be there with FREE giveaway items!

Air Quality Health Fair Point of contact: Alison Young

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Weatherization Assistance Program
focuses on Outreach

Housing and Weatherization News.

On Sunday, February 27, 2005, staff from the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) participated in an after-Church service program focusing on services available to the elderly and low-income eligible members of the St. Paul United Methodist Church, 511 N. Cherry Street, San Antonio. More than 100 residents participated. WAP staff signed up eligible residents, explained the program and distributed brochures and applications throughout the afternoon.

Gloria Ray, an AACOG Housing Advisory Committee and Housing Roundtable Group member, and the Executive Director of the St. Paul Area Development Corporation, coordinated the event. As a result of everyone's effort, City Public Service (CPS) will be taking their volunteers to do external weatherization on every qualifying house in the neighborhood--on both Center Street and East Crockett. More than 70 volunteers from CPS, as well as AACOG WAP staff, will be working on Saturday, April 2 in the area. As Gloria Ray says: "God works through all of us. He is good!"

The WAP staff also branches out to rural communities. On Monday, March 14, the WAP staff attended a Campbellton city event coordinated by Atascosa Judge Diana Bautista. WAP's purpose is to reach out to as many eligible residents in the AACOG service area as possible. For more information about the WAP, please contact Bertha Garza at 1-800-749-2010 toll free or (210) 362-5245.

WAP Point of contact: Bertha Garza

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Earth Day 2005	Go to webpage
On April 22, 1970, Earth Day was born. Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day founder, proposed the first nationwide environmental protest because he wanted to bring environmental quality and resources conservation issues to the political level. He manifested the nation’s environmental cause through what started as a 'teach-in' to protest the government’s environmental ignorance. His accomplishment in the environmental arena eventually led to fundamental legislation, including the Environmental Policy Act (1969), the Clean Air Act (1970), the Clean Water Act (1977) and fuel efficiency standards for automobiles. Annually on April 22nd, millions of people unite to participate in environmental events, all in the name of Earth Day.
Earth Day Point of contact: Georgia Zannaras	Top

AACOG seeking applications for the
2005 Regional Awards

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AACOG is now accepting nominations for the 2005 Regional Awards. Recipients will be honored at a special ceremony on June 22, 2005. Any person, corporation, community project, or governmental regional project that has contributed to the significant positive advancement of the region and/or any communities in the twelve counties of the Alamo Area (Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Medina, and Wilson Counties) is eligible for nomination. Current elected officials and public sector employees are not eligible for nomination, unless involved in a governmental regional project. Nominations are due Monday, May 2, 2005. For more information on how to submit a nomination, click here.

Regional Awards Point of contact: Tiffany Pickens

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Newsletter and calendar submissions are encouraged. Please submit any newsletter ideas to mail@aacog.com.

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