Friday, May 18, 2012
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Local seniors set unofficial ‘Soul Train Line’ record
Still gettin' down: Local seniors set unofficial ‘Soul Train Line’ record
By Curt Yeomans (360)
As of Friday, May 11, 2012
© Copyright 2012 Clayton News Daily
© Copyright 2012 Clayton News Daily
Photo by Curt Yeomans Conley resident Lurlean Stewart (center) shows off her dance moves Friday in an attempted, world-record-setting, 328-member “Soul Train” line at Clayton County International Park, in Jonesboro.
The television dance show, “Soul Train,” was must-see television for Conley resident Lurlean Stewart in the 1970s.
As a young woman, Stewart, now 61, tuned in week after week to see people her age dancing to their heart’s delight, to the latest funk, soul and dance tunes, on the nationally televised show. She watched the show’s host, Don Cornelius, introduce successful superstars, including Chaka Khan, James Brown, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, and the Jackson 5 as guest performers of the week.
And, of course, Stewart’s favorite part of the show was watching the dancers do the “Soul Train Line,” where the youngsters formed two lines and pairs of dancers — one male and one female — got to show off their moves as they made their way between the two lines.
“You’d see all kinds of crazy outfits — really crazy outfits,” said Stewart, as she left out a robust laugh.
Hundreds of local senior citizens, including Stewart, shook their groove things in Jonesboro Friday in an attempt to do what the late Cornelius himself might have called the “hippest trip” in Clayton County’s history. The elderly citizens set out to set a new Guinness World Record for the largest “Soul Train “ line ever — and they may have succeeded.
Although it still has to be certified by Guinness officials, 328 senior citizens, local elected officials and employees of Clayton County’s Senior Services Department participated in a “Soul Train” line during the senior services department’s annual Mayfest celebration at Clayton County International Beach. That is way higher than the exiting record of 211 people set last year at a school in California.
“Give yourselves a hand, everybody, because you just set a new world record,” an announcer proclaimed as the final member of the train made her way down the line. “We’re going to send a picture of you all to ‘Jet’ magazine, for their ‘Photo of the Week’ feature.”
Although the 2012 theme of “National Older Americans Month” — which is this month — is “Never Too Old to Play,” the theme locally might have been aptly stated as “Never Too Old To Get Down.” Elderly residents, some of whom were in wheel chairs, danced their way down the line to a plethora of 1970’s dance tunes, such as “Got To Give It Up,” by Marvin Gaye.
“We have a lot of events at the facilities, but no matter what event we have, they [the seniors] always form a ‘Soul Train’ line,” said Clayton County Senior Services Director Mary Byrd, as she explained the reasoning behind the record-breaking attempt. “We just realized the lines are longer, and longer. They just love ‘Soul Train’ ... so we just decided ‘Let’s make this thing official.’ ”
The record was actually broken when Atlanta resident Eva Whiters, 64, sashayed her way down the line. As she got to the end of the line, she held up one finger on both of her hands and waved them in the air. Afterward, she said she was ecstatic to be a part of the attempt to set a new world record.
“It feels wonderful, fantastic [to be the record-setting dancer],” a jubilant Whiters proclaimed just as she finished her dance. “I’m just elated ... That was my hobby [in the 1970’s] — dancing. Dancing was my love, and I was so happy to be a part of this.”
The potential record setting dancer, however, was Rex resident Erma Wyatt, 58, who was mobbed by photographers eager to take her picture as she got to the end of the line. “It feels really good [to set a new record],” she said. “I’ll never forget this. I’ve been a fan of ‘Soul Train’ since I was a little girl. I never thought I’d be in a ‘Soul Train’ line, though.”
The attempt to set a new world record brought out several elected officials from across the county. Clayton County Commission Chairman Eldrin Bell, and Commissioner Gail Hambrick, danced side-by-side at the start of the line. Occasionally they gave high-fives to people lined up on either side of them as they shuffled down the line.
They were followed by State Reps. Sandra Scott (D-Rex) and Darryl Jordan (D-Riverdale), and State Sen. Valencia Seay (D-Riverdale), who got down to the beat of the music a little bit more than her fellow elected officials. Clayton County Board of Education member Jessie Goree also participated in the line.
“Congratulations Clayton County, you did it,” an enthusiastic Bell yelled as he addressed an ecstatic group of seniors after the dancing ended.
Now that the dancing is over, Byrd said the arduous process of filling out required paperwork for Guinness officials begins. County officials had a professional counter present for the attempt to count, and certify the number of people who participated in the “Soul Train” line.
She added that county public safety officials, who acted as stewards for the attempt, will have to fill out and submit paperwork and a video recording of the attempt to Guinness. If it is confirmed as a new record, she explained, Guinness officials would travel to the county to make the formal proclamation.
“We’re not sure [how long the certification process could take],” Byrd said. “It could be six, to eight weeks to complete the process from here.”
And as the seniors got in their cars and left the park at the end of the celebration, they did so with a little bit of love, a little bit of peace, and a whole lot of sooouuuul.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
America's 1st general population Sentao training -MY EXPERIENCE!!
IT'S A CHAIR 'THANG' --ZUMBA SENTAO
I've been waiting for this Zumba Sentao format ever since it was hinted on during the early part of 2011.. perhaps as early as 2010. Having all Zumba specialty licenses prior to this NEWEST FORMAT, was a challenging feat in itself. My sister (also a Zumba Instructor licensed in all formats available) and I actually became weary of waiting for this mystery new ZUMBA form to be released to us regular instructors. So life went on and on and on......My sister and I got busy, and busy and busier..in between requests for classes and more classes and both working demanding full time jobs.
SAY WHAT???? When we found out that Instructors were going to get licensed in Sentao during the London Convention, I have to admit, I was jealous, jealOUS, JEALous!! I was thinking---how is this happening? When will it be OUR TIME here in America? And still we waited. By the time it was announced that Crunch members would be exposed and licensed in Sentao 1st in the USA--I didnt really care about this format anymore. My enthusiasm had been destroyed by what seemed to be an eternity of waiting.
Suddenly, my sister called me and found IT on line ---that registration for Zumba Sentao with a licensing date of April 21st IN MIAMI!! This was to be the first Sentao licensing in AMERICA opened up for the general population(i.e. us regular ZUMBA instructors). My sister signed up and so did I. Now I am glad I did!!
I didn't know what to expect --I hadn't even pre-viewed the few videos clips that appeared on line about Sentao..I went to Miami for Sentao not really knowing what to expect.
April 21st --EARLY AM...RAINY...My sister and I drove from her place to reach our training location, a small studio positioned very close to Calle Ocho in downtown Miami. There was NO Parking, so we took our chances by leaving the cars around a street corner and next to an apartment complex close by.
ENTERING THE STUDIO---That sea of brightly colored apparel, hats, and shoes told my sister and I that we were in the right place-That we were amongst ZUMBA FAMILY!!. All the instructors attending America's 1st general population Sentao training were amazing--Coming from all over the USA. We were a photo taking bunch--stylin' and profilin' for ANYONE'S camera. Zumba Instructor and 'Legal Beagle' Diane Felkenes was in the house, as she is now working for ZUMBA FITNESS in its Legal department, as well as DJ Francis and many other nationally recognized Zumba talent!!
Zumba Educational Specialist Marcia Gill is amazing, fun and talented!! We started training 1st by discussing the safety aspects of Sentao (chair use, chair type, positioning etc) before starting the MASTER SENTAO CLASS. (Marcia strongly advised that Instructors use a wireless mike for Sentao). The Master Class was a blast AFTER I FINALLY decided to move AROUND the chair, to stop moving the chair back and forth, to stop bumping into the chair and into other licensees AND TO QUIT FREAKING OUT ABOUT MY LACK OF PERSONAL SPACE (there were a lot of people and chairs in this training).
Men? There were several MALE Zumba Instructors in the house and this brought that special energy to the training that only men can bring... PURE POWER!!! I need to give a special shout out to homeboy 'MIAMI ZUMBA'--who took the time to show me where to RE-park during a break, so I wouldn't get my car towed!!
After getting licensed in Zumba's latest format I know now that SENTAO (which means 'sitting' or to sit ) IS AWESOME!!
It's not the more subtle chair workout appropriately created for our precious senior population. Nor is it drop-it-like-its-hot exotic chair dance coming straight out of a Hotlanta BOOTY club.
In my opinion, I feel that Zumba students will get a lot more out of this format than any other Zumba format thus far, because Sentao incorporates in basic aspects of resistance training and stretching using ones own body weight....Pushups, leg lifts, core work,dips, squats, bicep curls, etc. UTILIZING THE CHAIR IN ADDITION TO adding in that Zumba format dance to keeps the party going...Its an aerobic and anaerobic fitness JAM...
SENTAO IS THE ULTIMATE WORKOUT... YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE IT!!
Thursday, April 26, 2012
The 21-minute Ab Makeover
Provided by SHINE (Yahoo(r))
This super-effective workout routine designed by Susan Moran-Perich, vice president of Power Pilates in New York City, combines cardio and pilates to beat belly flab.
The routine: Do all of the core exercises, followed by two minutes of cardio. Repeat the sequence three times; it'll take about 21 minutes.
What you'll need: An exercise mat and a jump rope (optional).
Single Leg Stretch1. Single-Leg Stretch
Minute 0:00-1:00
Strengthens abdominals, stretches, hip flexors
• Lie faceup, knees into chest, abs engaged.
• Lift head, place left hand on right knee, right hand at right ankle, and extend left leg 45 degrees.
• Pull right knee into chest while reaching left leg out and up.
• Switch legs and hands.
• Do 20 reps total, continuing to alternate legs.
Related: Flat Abs Fast: Core-Strengthening Workout
Double-Leg Lower/Lift2. Double-Leg Lower/Lift
Minute 1:00-2:00
Strengthens abdominals
• Lie faceup, abs engaged.
• Place hands under the bottom of your spine.
• Lift head and extend legs over hips.
• Lower legs toward floor for 3 counts, then lift up for 1 count.
• Do 10 reps.
Saw3. Saw
Minute 2:00-3:00
Strengthens obliques, stretches back and hamstrings
• Sit with legs a bit wider than mat, arms out to sides at shoulder height, abs engaged, back straight.
• Twist to the right for 3 counts, reaching your pinky finger past your pinky toe, keeping butt on floor.
• Return to center; twist to the left.
• Do 3 reps on each side.
Related: The 10 Best Foods for Flat Abs
Sidekick4. Sidekick
Minute 3:00-4:00
Strengthens abdominals, hips, hamstrings
• Lie on your right side along the back of the mat, with legs, hips, and shoulders stacked.
• Lean on your right elbow and bring legs to the front corner of the mat. Kick left leg forward twice, then swing leg behind you in a sweeping motion.
• Do 10 reps; switch sides and repeat.
Related: Best Ab Exercises from Around the World
Double-Leg Stretch5. Double-Leg Stretch
Minute 4:00-5:00
Strengthens abdominals, stretches lower back and hip flexors
• Lie faceup, head lifted, knees into chest, abs engaged.
• Straighten arms overhead, in line with ears, while extending legs 45 degrees. Keep legs still and head lifted as you circle arms wide to your sides, then hug knees back into chest. Do 5 slow reps, then 5 faster reps.
6. Cardio Burst
Minutes 5:00-7:00
• Jump rope, jog in place, or do high knee or butt kicks.
• Repeat full sequence 2 more times.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
4 Year Old Girl with an IQ score only one point below Albert Einstein's.
13 April 2012 Last updated at 07:54 ET (from BBC.CO.UK)
Heidi Hankins taught herself to read A four-year-old girl from Hampshire has been accepted into Mensa with an IQ just one point below Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking.
Heidi Hankins from Winchester has a 159 IQ. She taught herself to read and was able to count to 40 at two years old.
British Mensa chief executive John Stevenage said Heidi's parents "correctly identified that she shows great potential".
According to Mensa, the average adult IQ score is 100.
In 2009, Oscar Wrigley, aged two and a half at the time, from Reading in Berkshire became the youngest ever child to join Mensa with an IQ of 160.
Mr Stevenage said: "We aim to provide a positive environment for younger members to develop."
According to Mensa, the signs of a gifted child include an unusual memory, reading at an early age, intolerance of other children and an awareness of world events. A gifted child will also ask questions all of the time.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Nature Fat Burners
These foods will help you burn fat.With rising temps come rising hemlines, bare shoulders... and eventually, bikini season. Add these metabolism-boosting foods and drinks to your shopping list, and you'll score a leaner and sexier bod. By Carolyn Kylstra
Chicken Breast
Meet the ultimate wonder food. Chicken is packed with protein, which is essential for maintaining muscle mass-and the more muscle mass you have, the more efficient you are at burning calories. Even better, protein takes more time to digest than carbohydrates, so you'll feel full longer than if you ate the same number of calories in a carb-or fat-heavy meal. An ideal serving: the size of a computer mouse or a deck of cards.
Greek Yogurt
Calcium consumed in tandem with an amino acid found in dairy products has been shown to burn fat. Consider it a fab excuse to add more yogurt, milk, and cheese to your meal plans. What makes Greek yogurt a standout dairy option is that it has more protein that the regular kind-so you boost the fat-burning benefits.
Green Tea
Research suggests that consuming two to four cups of fresh brewed green tea daily can help you burn about an extra 50 calories a day. It's teeming with catechins, nutrients linked to increased metabolism and a smaller waistline.
Eggs
Scramble up two eggs for breakfast tomorrow-it's a fat-melting morning meal. Part of the reason is that eggs are loaded with protein (which will keep you feeling full for longer), but also, eating in the a.m. means you end up taking in fewer calories during the day, research shows.
Cold Water
You've probably heard the tip to drink water when you're hungry, in case the pangs you're feeling are actually thirst. Well, here's another reason to down the H2O: When you drink ice water, your body actually expends energy, warming the water up to your natural temperature.
Chili Pepper
Capsaicin, the ingredient that gives chili peppers their fiery kick, can also fire up your fat-burning furnace. Order more hot curries and other spicy dishes when you eat out, or just add a tablespoon of chopped chilis to your pizza or soup at home.
Pistachios
These nuts contain the right balance of healthy fat, protein, and fiber, and together they rev your metabolism and keep you feeling satisfied. About 50 pistachios equals one serving, so pop some in a bag and munch when you're feeling snacky.
Sources: Lisa Drayer, MA, RD, nutritionist and author of Strong, Slim, and Thirty: Eat Right, Stay Young, Feel Great, and Look Fabulous! Stephanie Middleberg, RD, nutritionist and founder of Middleberg Nutrition
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