Can the lack of sleep be making me gain weight?

Recent research indicates that people who don't get enough sleep tend to
weigh more -- and that sleep can affect levels of the appetite-regulating
hormones leptin and ghrelin.
At the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's (UPMC) Sleep Medicine
Center, tests show that there is a strong relationship between good sleep
and good health. Not sleeping affects hormonal balance, appetite and mood
swings. Two out of three Americans are overweight, and almost one in five
are obese, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Researchers at the Sleep Disorders Center at Sentara Norfolk General
Hospital in Virginia conducted two studies, each included 1,000 men and
women, and they found that those who reported sleeping less tended to
weigh more.

"People who are overweight may have less restful sleep due to heartburn,
snoring or more serious sleep disorders like sleep apnea or night eating
syndrome," said Dr. Michelle May, author of Am I Hungry? What To Do
When Diets Don't Work. Studies of healthy young men indicated
that the levels of the hormone that tells your brain to stop eating (leptin)
and the hormone that turns on hunger (ghrelin) were out of whack when
there was sleep deprivation. Also, sleep deprivation affects memory, disease
resistance, and leaves people unable to stay alert in school, at jobs and while
driving vehicles. Sleepy people are also hungrier!
Information from the National Sleep Foundation

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The infection, Clostridium difficile, (C-diff) grows in the colon and is known to
cause diarrhea and colitis-type symptoms. When it grows in spores in feces,
it is difficult to destroy. It is resistant to household cleaners and antibacterial
soaps. It is also resistant to some antibiotics usually used for intestinal problems,
since it appears to work against the good colon bacteria. Instead, the C-diff
increases.

In Atlanta, Georgia, more than 10,000 cases were reported last year. It had
rarely been reported before 2000. Research is being published in the June issue
of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

In Florida, where there is a huge population of older residents, C-diff is raising
its ugly head. Doctors are looking for the symptoms, closely, so that inappropriate
antibiotics are not used.

C-diff is not only a problem here in the U.S., Canada has reported thousands of
cases, as well.

If you are experiencing gastrointestinal problems, discuss your symptoms
with your doctor. Ask about C-diff.

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Receiving a Summons for Jury Duty is by U.S. Mail. Some people, however,
have been receiving bogus phone calls from scam artists who want personal
information. Most of us take those summonses for jury duty seriously, but
some folks who may have discarded or ignored their civic duty, or even citizens
who have recently served on a jury, have become victims of a new fraudulent scam.

Someone claiming to be a jury coordinator, calls you at home to
tell you that you have NOT shown up for jury duty. If you protest that you
never received a summons for jury duty, the scammer asks you for your Social
Security number and date of birth, so he or she can "verify the information
and cancel the arrest warrant." If you supply your personal information or
Social Security number, your identity has just been stolen.

The fraud has been reported so far in 11 states, including Oklahoma , Illinois,
Florida, and Colorado . This fraud is particularly insidious because they use intimidation
over the phone to try to bully people into giving information by pretending they
are with the court system. The FBI and the federal court system have issued
nationwide alerts on their web sites, warning consumers about the fraud.

For more information: http://www.fbi.gov/page2/june06/jury_scams060206.htm
OR http://www.snopes.com/crime/fraud/juryduty.asp

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If you have an account at Bank of America, you will be able to visit over 70
museums across the U.S., on the first weekend of every month. In our area,
participating museums are:
Delray: Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
W. Palm: S. Florida Science Museum
Ft. Lauderdale: Museum of Art and Museum of Discovery and Science
Miami: Miami Art Museum.

For more information and a complete list of museums in states across
the nation, go to:

Bankofamerica.com/museums

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I found this ABC News article about tires very interesting. Here's an excerpt:

"The U.S. tire industry is refusing to give American motorists the same warning
given to car owners in Europe and Asia about the possible dangers of tires six
years old or older. More than 100 deaths in the U.S. have been attributed to aged
tires which dried out and lost their treads, even though they appeared to be
safe, according to Sean Kane, who heads a private auto safety firm and
consults with the federal government.

With no warning from the industry or the federal government, safety experts
say the only way for consumers to protect themselves is to learn how to read
the cryptic code embedded on a tire's sidewall which reveals the year and week
a tire was manufactured.

A full report on how to break the code appeared on the ABC News program
"20/20," a few weeks ago.

The code is at the end of a jumble of letters and numbers on the tire and,
until recently, was on the inward side of the tire requiring motorists to climb
under the car to read the number.

For example, the number 418 indicates the tire was manufactured in the 41st
week of 1998 and is 10 years old.

"U.S. consumers are left in the dark on this issue," said Kane.

A tire older than six years old, even if it's never been driven a mile, "is like a
ticking time bomb. You don't know what's going on inside. That's what makes
it so dangerous," said Kane in an interview for broadcast on "20/20."

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COBWRA Meeting Notice
Coalition of Boynton West Residential Associations (COBWRA)
will meet at 9:30 A.M. on Wednesday, June 18, 2008
The Bellaggio Clubhouse, 6525 Bellaggio Lakes Blvd
located on the south side of Lantana Road just east of State Rd 7 (441)
Program:

Hurricane Preparedness

Open to the public. No tickets or reservations required.
Information provided by Jack Leicher, COBWRA Program Chair
Call 561-789-8140 for more information.

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Poinciana Elementary Math, Science and Technology Magnet School
is proud to show you the OM WORLD winners:

Poinciana Odyssey Road Rally Vehicle Team.

Left to right in tree: Claire Collins, Mariah Joy, Giselle Vergera
standing l-r: Austin Pomianowski, Bryce Connolly, Angelo Sierra and Craig Carrier

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Ruth Rales Jewish Family Service Senior Center Planned
for West Atlantic Avenue

The non-sectarian Ruth Rales Jewish Family Service has obtained approximately
an acre of land on the grounds of Temple Anshei Shalom, West Atlantic Avenue
just west of Cumberland in Delray Beach.

A 22,000 square foot building will be built on this parcel of land. The center will
have a commercial style kitchen to provide food programs; therapy offices will
provide facilities for seniors needing comfort and privacy; a cafe' will offer
refreshments in a social atmosphere.

Land Design South is handling land planning and permitting; then, zoning
approval, then building permits and approval for construction. Ground breaking
may not begin until after summer 2008 with an estimated completion date
in the first quarter of 2010. The architectural firm of Stofft & Associates will
do the construction.

The following programs are planned when new facility is completed:
…Bereavement and caregiver support groups
…Mental health counseling
…Holocaust survivor services
…Case management services for the homebound frail elderly
…A significantly expanded food pantry
…Kosher Konnection, a congregate meal program for seniors
…“Welcome Home” drop-in center for chronically mental ill adults
…A café, operated by the higher functioning participants in the
Welcome Home program
…Community Education Programs
…Community Social and Recreational Programs such as the
Diamond Club and the Open Door
…Hurricane Registry and Support
…Shirley and Bart Weisman Center for Gerontology
…Volunteer Services

Thanks to Mort Mazor, Delray Beach Blogger for this
information

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Poinciana Elementary Math, Science, and Technology Magnet
School is located in Boynton Beach, on N. Seacrest Blvd. Last year, the school's team entry into each of the local, state, national, and world competitions for creative problem-solving was a first place winner. Every year, five new competitive problems are presented for the teams to solve. These long-term problems are solved over weeks and months. This year, the Odyssey of the Mind (OM) Team again won world Championship. They finished First In Vehicle Design at the 29th Annual OM World Competition, out of 57 teams. In addition, they were also awarded the prestigious Ranatra Fusca Creativity Award.

Millions of students (grades K-college) from around the world competed in the 29th OM World Finals. This competition emphasizes creativity and teamwork. It has grown into the largest international creative problem-solving competition, because OM makes learning fun, while giving kids the chance to explore their imaginations and to express their creativity. The group of Seven Poinciana students presented their solutions to their problems along with students (on same grade level) from all over the world. Participants included teams from over 15 countries, and practically every state in the U.S. The annual Odyssey of the Mind World Finals is an event to behold. It embodies the international spirit of creativity!
This year’s team members, coached by Gloria Gibson, Poinciana’s SACC
Director, and Scott Pomianowski, a supportive parent, are:
Angelo Sierra, Claire Collins, Giselle Vergara, Mariah Joy, Austin Pomianowski,
Craig Carrier, and Bryce Connolly. Kudos also goes to the Principal, Peter Slack, who has
always provided the time and support the teachers and students needed
to accomplish this awesome achievement!

For more information about Odyssey of the Mind go to www.odysseyofthemind.com
For more information regarding Poinciana Elementary Math, Science, and Technology Magnet School go to www.PoincianaES..com

If you would like to Support Poinciana’s Odyssey of the Mind Program, (561) 739-5700
or send contributions to Poinciana Elementary 1203 North Seacrest Blvd. Boynton Beach, Florida 33435.

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This Month at WEST BOYNTON Library branch: 9451 Jog Road,
Boynton Beach 561 734-5556

Adult Programs

WEST BOYNTON ADULT PROGRAMS
Tues., June 10, 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
SUMMER BOOK DISCUSSION “Bridge of Sighs” by Richard Russo
Russo’s first book since the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Empire Falls” is a typically
stunning portrait of three small town families struggling – like the town itself
– to strike a balance between embracing their own history or shunning it entirely.
Imbued with Russo’s trademark humor, insight and ear for dialogue, it is a
story true to the tenor of small town life, but rife with the cares and crises
of people everywhere. Judy Kamiat will lead the discussion. (90 min.) Preregister.

Tues., June 17, 2:00 p.m. MEET THE AUTHOR

Author Leon Rubinstein will talk about his book, “Escape to Freedom,” a
personal narrative about fleeing Germany to the south of France with his parents
in 1933. After his father’s arrest, the author and his mother set out on a
torturous and danger-filled journey which ultimately led them to the Swiss
work camps. A book signing will follow. Free tickets available at the reference
desk on a first-come, first-served basis beginning June 9. (60 min.)

Thur., June 19, 2:00 p.m. THE PLAY’S THE THING
Challenge local residents, Ethel and Seymoure Goldstein, with your knowledge
of American plays and musicals. Here is the opportunity to demonstrate your
dramatic reading skills, or to just have fun listening and solving the puzzles.
(60 min.) Preregister.

WEST BOYNTON CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
June 9 - August 1 SUMMER STORY TIMES

Summer Story Times start on Monday, June 9, and go through Friday, August 1.
Sign up began Monday, May 26, and will continue until full.

Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m. CHESS CLASS
Are you interested in playing chess? We have volunteers who can give you tips
on how to play. Come to the Youth Services Desk and sign up each Wednesday
afternoon starting at 3:15 p.m. Ages 8-12. (60 min.

Thurs., June 12, 1:00 p.m. HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

Listen to great stories about Father’s Day and make your Dad a special
surprise. Ages 4-8. (45 min.) Preregister.

Fri., June 13, 10:30 a.m.
SUMMER READING PROGRAM KICK-OFF PARTY WITH TALE TWISTERS
Children help to create “tales” and wear “twisted” balloon costumes to tell stories.
This show features lots of underwater marine life made from balloons. Fun for
the whole family! Ages 4 & up (60 min.) Preregister.

Sat., June 21, 12:00 p.m. DAZZLING DRAGONFLIES
Learn about this distinguished bug and design
one of your own. Ages 6 & up. (45 min.) Preregister

Fri., June 27, 10:30 a.m. BIKE DECORATING FOR THE
4TH OF JULY* Bring your bike to the library and wrap it in colorful crepe
paper streamers, and we’ll have our own 4th of July parade (*if it rains call for
alternate date). Ages 5 & up. (40 min.) Preregister.

Sat., June 28, 11:00 a.m. GEDDY, THE GECKO
Geddy teaches multicultural dances from around the world. Children will
participate and learn Salsa, Cha-Cha, Tango, Greek dance, the Macarena
and more! Super Geddy closes each show with his own breakdancing solo.
You’ll have to see it to believe it. Ages 4 & up. (45 min.) Preregister.

Tues., June 24, 2:00 p.m. TRAVEL ON THE CLICK
Do you love to travel? Are you looking for good travel resources and tools?
Do you want to find good prices for tickets and hotel rooms? Then you don’t
want to miss “Travel on the Click.” Some computer experience is recommended.
(60 min.)

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