Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
Wednesday, September 1st, 2010
Lawsuits. They could be the end of swings on some playgrounds. The story that’s being told by many newspapers and web sites right now is from Charleston, West Virigina. That’s where they made the decision to remove swings from playgrounds at several elementary schools.
I think it’s sad.
“County schools safety manager Tim Stewart says the swing sets are being removed from 17 schools starting this fall.” Yes, 17!
The reason? Recent lawsuits and the expense of “installing proper safety barriers.” I’m not really sure what he means by safety barriers. My guess is the issue was children falling off the swings.
There were 2 lawsuits filed in the past year. I think I know one of the problems. The area under the swings is wood chips. They don’t make for a cushioned fall and are not recommended. Stewart said that rubber mulch would be better but that it’s not in the budget. So they decided to remove the swings.
I hope this isn’t a trend. What about playground grants?
For the whole story see: http://www.wvva.com/global/story.asp?s=13081358
Tags: Mulch, playground, Swing
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Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
SFGate.com just reported on Michelle Obama’s recent address to the NAACP a civil rights organization. She called obesity a race issue citing how black children are more likely to be obese. Half are expected to get diabetes.
She spoke about her “Let’s Move” anti-obesity campaign calling obesity, “one of the greatest risks to our children’s future is their own health.” And she blamed cultural changes: children are inactive, watch hours of television every day and eat junk food.
She said:
“Our parents made us get up and play outside. Had to get up, get out, didn’t have to — just couldn’t be inside. And we would spend hours riding bikes, playing softball, freeze tag, jumping double-dutch. Kids nowadays don’t even know how to jump double-dutch!”
She also talked about how she walks the talk with her two girls Malia and Sasha. Michelle Obama is correct and health officials are concerned as obesity rates keep going up, up, up.
Tags: Let's Move, Michelle Obama, Obesity
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Monday, August 9th, 2010
No one thinks about surfing the internet as a way to lose weight. In fact, we usually blame that sort of thing for weight gain. Here’s some good news: new research says that the Internet can help people keep weight off and fight obesity.
Did you know that Over 70% of Americans Want to Lose Weight?
The study was conducted over a 2.5 years, found that that the internet can be part of a support system for people. They found that the “more often people logged on to a website, the more likely they were to maintain weight loss.”
The site is no longer there, but it helped people stay accountable. “Users were asked log in once a week to enter their weight and the amount of exercise they’d done. If they didn’t log in regularly, they got a little nudge by e-mail, then an automated phone call. Once on the site, users could chat with other participants of the study in a kind of mini-Facebook setting.”
Results
The study began with 1,600 overweight or obese participants. About 350 of the group lost an average 19 lb. during the first six months and qualified to continue with the study. People who logged on the most regularly — at least once a month for 28 months — kept off the most weight. They kept off an average of 9 lbs. compared to others who lost an average of 3 lbs. So in total about 30 lbs!
Features of an effective weight loss web site
If you want to find a web site to help with weight loss, look for with these features:
- the site has a feedback mechanism and support resources from experts or others who can offer support
The best part is the lack of judgment (people can’t see what you look like so you avoid the shame factor) and low cost of online communities that support weight loss. The bad news is – just like Wii Fit and other high tech ways to help you lose weight – they only work if you use them – and are consistent.
Sound off: has a web site or online program helped you lose weight?
Read more: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2007222,00.html
Tags: Health, Obesity, Weight loss
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Monday, August 2nd, 2010
I’ve been watching a documentary called “Killer at Large” (you can get it on Netflix or http://www.killeratlarge.com). It starts with a discussion on how we fear attacks from others – like terrorists. But what is really happening in our country is happening from within. We’re killing ourselves with food.
I talked to John Borski today – he’s a farmer who is featured in the film. He said the doctor who sponsored it spent over a million on production. The film crew stayed with John for 20 days during filming and helped him on the farm.
The best part of the movie is that it doesn’t simplify the issue. There are many reasons and it’s not just diet and exercise. It has to do with policies – including the worst – that we started to put corn in all of our food because farmers were being paid to produce more and more of it.
There are many famous people in the film and it’s been featured on Oprah and has been written about on Huffington Post. Most of all it shows real life people struggling with weight. It illustrates how difficult it is to resist eating food that makes us fat when our kids can’t walk a few feet without seeing a vending machine. Or, if you’re poor it’s a lot less expensive to eat packaged foods rather than healthier ones.
I’ve been trying to lose weight and it isn’t easy. I haven’t finished the film so I’m not sure if it goes into this but my biggest challenge is eating out. It costs more money and calories than it should. Even if you exercise you will gain weight if you eating too many calories. Obesity has a long list of consequences from diabetes to premature death.
We have challenges with our environment, with security and with war in this country. What about obesity – do you think it’s as serious of an issue as these? What have you done that’s worked for you in keeping weight off?
Tags: Obesity, Weight loss
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Monday, May 17th, 2010
Students at New Tech High in Dallas Texas created fashion out of what others think of as garbage. The students participated in the 2010 Recycled Fashion Show as part of the state’s Earth Day celebrations.
The students really get into the competition and the resulting designs are like wearable art. One example is a dress made out of garbage bags and newspaper. Everything had to be made from recycled materials like cardboard or even magazines. The designs were modeled to a large crowd.
This is a great idea for Earth Day next year – or for school projects throughout the year. It would even work for a green prom night or dance where all of the outfits were to be made out of recycled materials.
What can you do that is creative to reduce and recycle?
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Wednesday, April 7th, 2010
I’ve been seeing many more stories like this one recently — communities are rallying together to build accessible playgrounds for residents. Since a lot of cities are hurting right now, citizens are taking action to try to get the services they want. In this case, it’s to build a playground for people with disabilities.
The community is rallying together to raise funds at a fund-raising event. It will be held June 18 at Belchertown High School. They have already made progress on the event, which will likely feature a giant game of Twister. Citizens have contacted Hasbro, Inc., has authorized a large-scale event based on its game, Twister (smart marketing). The volunteers hope to beat the record for the largest Twister surface and get into the Guinness Book of World Records.
The School Committee has voted in favor of replacing the Playground at the Chestnut Hill school with one that is accessible to children and adults with physical disabilities. They will need to form a non-profit organization to collect donations for the project.
It’s inspiring to read about these playgrounds – which can be costly – but are good for communities. The These are the types of projects that attract families to cities and strengthen communities. I propose that cities plan for playgrounds like this by saving a little bit each year and then working with citizens to do the work when a new playground needs to be built.
How much do they need to raise? Their goal is $350,000 along with many hours of volunteer work.
Related articles
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Wednesday, March 31st, 2010
Playgrounds are rarely controversial – but this one is. When this playground in a housing project in Brooklyn New York was built in 2004, the word “jail” was written across some of the equipment. Not many people complained but the ones that did didn’t get much of a response. Until now.
Creating a playground in a predominately black neighborhood with a jail theme doesn’t quite send a message of hope. It doesn’t project hope at all.
People near Tompkins Houses, a city housing project in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn started complaining about it last week. This time people listened. Once the story hit the New York Times, it’s become an even bigger issue. Bloggers and the city have responded.
One writer suggests the message could be changed to a better theme – asking How about replacing the city’s only jail playground with its very first White House playground?
He points out how this would be a significant change because we now have an African-American President. The playground could have pictures of Obama and others who have made history such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.
I’m not sure how they could accomplish this as the city and state budgets have been cut, but in the meantime they have painted over the “Jail. Also gone are the fake bars. Hopefully they can get a new playground soon – one that sends a more positive message.
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Tuesday, December 15th, 2009
What’s better than perfect management of tendon injuries? Preventing them in the first place, of course!
As all dedicated horse owners know, the prevention of tendon injuries is largely dependant on the type of footing arranged in the arena. Footing plays a major role in the health of horses. Poor or uneven footing causes injured tendons, increases the risk of broken bones, and speeds the advent of premature arthritis.
Luckily, there is a masterful solution for the equestrian footing dilemma. Rubber mulch, already touted as the most shock-absorbent material available for playgrounds, has been successfully used in horse arenas across the country. Mixed with sand, equestrian rubber mulch reduces dirt and dust, keeps moisture at bay, and– most importantly– creates a footing soft and flexible enough for even the most mature horses.
Rubberecycle, a Lakewood-based plant, produces an excellent version of arena footing, aptly named Surefoot. Surefoot has been proven to reduce injuries and strengthen performance. So give your horse an advantage that will reap dividends for years to come. Try Surefoot, the ultimate equestrian arena footing.
Tags: arena footing, equestrian arena footing, equestrian rubber mulch, horse arena footing, horse injuries, horse tendon injuries, surefoot
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Monday, December 7th, 2009
If this were a word association test, ‘Tire’ is not necessarily the first word to come to mind in connection with ‘Playground’. Nevertheless, tires have a long history in the playground– and the relationship is only growing.
For years, old tires have provided children with enjoyment as tire swings, whether at an official playground or even just tied to a sturdy tree in the backyard. At the swimming hole, tire swings were often suspended from an overhanging tree branch, leading to delicious splash landings.
Nowadays, children swim at their local swimming pools– and you’re not likely to find too many recycled tires around there. But old tires have only metamorphosed into an even greater part of children’s play. Playsafer Rubber Mulch, manufactured of 100% recycled tires, provides the safety, security, and incredible bounce that every child loves.
Rubber mulch, ranked #1 in shock absorbency, has become an integral part of playgrounds across the continent. Not that you would necessarily recognize it as a new incarnation of recycled tires; Playsafer comes in a variety of colors, and blends into the playground scene perfectly. Nevertheless, playground rubber mulch is one of the nation’s most innovative and effective methods of recycling tires.
Tags: playground, playground mulch, playground rubber mulch, recycled tires, rubber mulch, tire recycling
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Friday, December 4th, 2009
It’s no coincidence that so many playground photos feature a child just emerging from the bottom of the slide. That precious look of utter glee forms the basis of fond childhood memories for almost all of us.
It also brings back memories of the ‘ouch’. When we were kids, reaching the bottom of the slide usually meant jouncing our ankles, hard, onto the packed dirt surface on the ground.
Playground slides haven’t changed all that much over the past thirty years, but thankfully, hard-packed surfaces are a thing of the past. These days, kids can have their slides and their comfort too, thanks to Playsafer Wear Mats.
Designed to provide additional cushioning for high-impact areas, Playsafer Wear Mats are the ideal finishing touch for every playground. Wear Mats provide an additional layer of protection, allowing children to land with a bounce, rather than a thud.
Durable and affordable, Playsafer Wear Mats are 30” square mats with a 1.5” depth of super shock absorbent rubber material. Placed under slides, swings, and monkey bars, Wear Mats may be positioned either above or below playground surfacing to allow for maximum security.
As a matter of fact, if you take a look at the photos of the new playground installed at the White House, you’ll notice that Sasha and Malia Obama are enjoying the benefits of Wear Mats every time they use their playground. The White House play area has Wear Mats set down in all the critical areas, including swings, slide, and trapeze apparatus.
Safety, security, and a bounce instead of a thud—it’s no wonder that today’s kids are smiling more than ever. Seems like digital cameras were invented just at the right time.
Tags: high impact zones, playground safety, playsafer wear mats, rubber wear mats, safety in high impact zones, wear mats, White House playground
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