AQUATICS

Our swim team, the Sea Turtles, is gearing up for championship season.  If you are interested in cheering on our team, please check out our website www.clevelanymca.org, click on the West Shore branch and then on Sea Turtles Swim Team for the schedule. 

There will be two sessions of YMCA Swim Lessons this winter.  The sessions will run January 7 through February 9 and February 10 through March 17.

Swimming lessons are offered for everyone ages six-months and older. 

If you are an adult who would like to learn consider joining our Teen and Adult class which meets on Tuesday evening at 7:15.  This class is for anyone 13 years or older and includes all ability levels.

Have you ever considered becoming a lifeguard?

We have classes that begin January 5, February 2 and March 9.

To take the classes you need to be able to swim 300 yards continuously (100 yards breaststroke and 100 yards freestyle), tread water without using your hands for two minutes and be able to swim 20 yards, retrieve a 10-pound object from the bottom of the pool, and swim 20 more yards in less than one minute, 40 seconds.

Once you have successfully completed the class you will be certified in Lifesaving, CPR, AED and First Aid by the American Red Cross.

STAYING HEALTHY THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS

By: Pamela Bartz, RD, LD, CSCS

The holidays don’t have to be a drag when it comes to staying healthy. You can still enjoy social events with your family and friends without gaining weight. Take a healthy approach by following these simple tips, and you will have a successful holiday season.

The best way to avoid overeating at large dinner parties is to consume breakfast.

Starting the day with high fiber foods such as; whole grains, fruits, and vegetables will increase satiety. Consuming small, frequent meals throughout the day and not skipping meals will prevent eating large portions.

Holiday meals are typically buffet style and consist of large portions that add extra pounds. Using a smaller plate will help limit the amount of food that can be put on the plate and helps portion control.

A key strategy is to start at the salad bar and vegetable dishes first and then add the entrees and sides. Color your plate with lots of vegetables, which are loaded with essential vitamins and minerals your body needs.

Eating slow, drinking during your meal, and waiting at least ten minutes before getting second helpings will ensure you’re still hungry.

Keeping on track during the holiday season can be successful by putting exercise into your schedule. To ensure you get daily activity, block out 30-60 minutes a day to walk with your family or play sports with your kids.

For more information on nutrition classes and one-on-one counseling, contact the French Creek and West Shore Family YMCA’s.

A MESSAGE FROM THE BRANCH DIRECTOR

The West Shore Family YMCA has been serving Westlake and its surrounding communities since 1966.

Since that time, there have been many changes with the actual structure of the building, equipment, class offerings, fitness options, instructors and staff.

But one thing that has not changed is the purpose of the YMCA.

The Y is an organization of people joined together by a shared commitment to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.

This year, I have been witness to many incredible things at the West Shore Family YMCA which have impacted many people.

I cannot say enough about the generous giving by our members, as well as members of the community to support others, while fulfilling their health and wellness needs through our Annual Campaign.

A few examples to cite:  members coming together at the branch every morning for coffee and conversation; a group who ventures to lunch every Thursday together, after completing their morning workout; the numerous success stories I’ve heard from our 90-Day Weight Loss Challenge, which continues until December 31; pre-school readiness; and the generosity of our members who routinely volunteer and donate their time wherever and whenever asked.

It saddens me to be leaving all this behind.

At the beginning of the year, my family will be relocating.  I wanted to take this opportunity with profound humility to tell everyone how satisfying and what a privilege it has been to serve you during my time here.

As Branch Director at the West Shore Family YMCA, I’ve had the opportunity to meet many terrific people and have enjoyed many good experiences and conversations.

It is my hope that in this instance of change, we will all continue to support the West Shore Family YMCA, the YMCA of Greater Cleveland, and have that this branch will have a most successful future.

I wish you and your family a blessed holiday season, and all the best in the coming new year.

Paul Rogerson, who has most recently served as the Director of Operations at the Southeast Family YMCA branch in Bedford, will succeed me in the role of Branch Director here at the West Shore Family YMCA.

Sincerely,

Cory Wonner

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:
THE PETKOVIC FAMILY

My name is Dragan Petkovic.  My wife Jasmina and I started our family a little later in life and it was quite a long and arduous process.  We are now blessed with three special children.  However, there have been difficulties which have resulted in me working less to be home to help with my family.

Mila, who was born at 35 weeks, is now five and in kindergarten.  She was a little slow to develop at first, but she is doing well.

Our twin boys Nickola and Milosh are 3 ½.

Nickola and Milosh were born at 30 weeks and they spent a long time in the hospital because they each had medical difficulties and were small and weak for their age.

When they were babies, they needed physical therapy and were very stiff for a long time.  They are a little delayed still and the physical therapist at “Help Me Grow” suggested swimming lessons for their therapy.

That is why we had them join the West Shore Family YMCA.  They have been participating in private swim lessons with Aquatics Director Monica Zayd.

They have had seven lessons and we can already see a difference in their behavior both physically and mentally.  They are so much more active at home now and they talk about swimming with Monica and anxiously anticipate their swim lessons with her. 

The Y staff explained their scholarship program and how this could assist with the cost of the memberships for the kids and any programs they might be interested in participating in. During that discussion, we talked about the opportunity for me and my wife to join as well.  Because of this scholarship we will now be able to participate at the Y as a family.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Exciting things are happening in Wellness at West Shore. We have expanded our exercise schedule with two new classes for members to try out. 

On Monday mornings we have created a “Mom and Tot Fun Fitness” class.  We have so many wonderful families at West Shore that we want to find fun ways that all family members can be active together.

Taught by our instructor, Jessica, (who is a mother of two girls), we invite you to bring your children between  the ages of two and five years with you to this class.

It’s not just for Moms.  Dads, Grandparents, or any guardian is welcome to join in the class with the child.  The class will focus on fun activities that both parent and child can do together (think piggyback squats or other fun partner activities). 

Come try out this new class and start promoting a healthy active lifestyle for your young ones today.

We’ve also added a new Saturday morning class.  Our Thursday evening Yoga Pilates Blend class has become so popular that we’ve now brought Yoga Pilates Fusion to the 8:30 a.m. slot on Saturday mornings. Using core strengthening techniques of Pilates with the flexibility and serenity of yoga get a great workout.

SPORTS NEWS

Pickleball is now offered at the West Shore Family YMCA. Our members are taking full advantage of staying fit through exercise and playing one of the most evolving sports-Pickleball. Drop-In playing times are Tuesdays from 5:30-7 p.m. and Wednesdays from 1 –3 p.m.

The best part about this amazingly-fun game is that it only costs $2 for Full Members and $4 for Program Members to play per day.

Haven’t heard of it before? Check it out at www.usapa.org for more details.

Pickleball is one of the featured sports in the Senior Olympics that will be held in Cleveland 2013. 

There will be two sessions of YMCA Sport and Arts programming this winter.  The sessions will run January 7 through February 9 and February 10 through March 17.   Programs are offered for everyone ages 12 months and older. 

Some of the programming that will be offered is as follows:

• Softball Skill Classes
• Volleyball Skill Classes
• Basketball Skill Classes
• Soccer Skill Classes
• Tot Tumbling Skills
• Art & Craft Classes
• Art Expression
• Guitar Lessons
• HarmoniKids
• Isshinryu Karate
• Shotokan Karate
• Parents Night Out.

We also offer one-on-one individual trainings for each sport.  have clegian Contact Program Coordinator Jamie Lynn Hall, for more information.

Don’t forget about our YMCA Winter Basketball Leagues.

YOUTH BASKETBALL LEAGUE

Our winter youth league is going to be the best yet. Officially partners the Y with, and is sponsored by, the Cleveland Cavalers. The Jr. Cavs program participants  will be able to take full advantage of not only playing in our league, but also receiving a free Cavalers Game ticket. Space is limited, sign up now.

AAU BASKETBALL LEAGUE

If you are looking for a travel league with great competition, this league is for you. It is specifically for those in grades 5-12. Open try-outs will take place Feb. 18 and 22, 2013.

For more information, contact: Director of Competitive Sports Matt Darby at 440-842-5200; or via e-nail at  mdarby@clevelandymca.org.

ADULT BASKETBALL LEAGUE

Our Adult League is at its peak and is still growing.There are many discounts on the league fee, including  -- $50 League Champion;

$25 Runner Up; $25 Player of the League; and $25 Team of the League. Stats are recorded and posted at www.leaguelineup.com.