I
have been a student at Leo Williams’ Mind, Body and
Spirit Martial Art Studio for quite a while.
I took classes for seniors that helped me learn how to
live my golden years without daily fears.
Recently, I was introduced to a class in Exercise and
Nutrition and one in Preventing Falling. As I listened
to a staff member explaining the new classes that began
on October 3, 2008, they sounded exciting. The
Preventive Falling class will help many seniors learn to
fall the correct way and avoid ending up in the hospital
with a broken hip.
The Nutrition and Exercise class will help us learn to
eat the proper foods and use exercise to have a healthy
body. This class is held on Fridays from 1:30 p.m. –
2:00 p.m. The members of the class are seniors
like you and me, and the coaches are seniors, too.
Pat Donovan informed us that the city of Springfield’s
Department of Elder Affairs and Leo Williams’ Mind, Body
and Spirit Martial Art Studio are offering a new
three-week course on the Basic Foundations for Senior
Martial Arts. The class will be held at the Greenleaf
Community Center at 1187 ½ Parker Street. To
pre-register, contact Kerri at 413-750-2873. You may
also call the Mind, Body and Spirit Martial Art Studio
located at 18 Maple Street, Springfield, MA. Their
number is 413-739-6596 and parking is free.
On August 26, 2008, I received a call from Juanita Allen
of the Human Resource Department in Governor Deval
Patrick’s office. Ms. Allen wanted me to work with her
in getting information out about the Commonwealth Career
Discovery Exposition that has been held in Boston for
the last four years. She said the Governor wanted
the job fair to be held statewide. I, along
with Nicholas Camarato; Arlene Rodriguez, Dean of
Humanities and Social Sciences at STCC; Rev. Karen Rucks,
Vice President of Programs and Andrew Teasley, Social
Services Manager Human Resources at the Martin Luther
King, Jr. Community Center; Dan Hall, Personnel
Department of city of Springfield; and Morris Jones,
former City Councilor, met with her. I would have
liked for more people to have taken part in this
important meeting with Ms. Allen. She plans to meet with
us again at a later date to be announced.
The job fair was held on October 27, 2008 from 10 a.m. –
3 p.m. at the UMass Boston Campus Center on the third
floor. Although the date has passed, anyone interested
in more information may call the Boston office at
617-878-9724 or visit the website at
www.mass.gov/hrd/expo.
Access and accommodations for persons with disabilities
were provided. Representatives from Executive Branch
Agencies, MA State Universities and Colleges, The
Transportation Authority and The Trial Courts were on
hand.
When I write my next column, you and I will have cast
our votes and, yes, we will be beginning to make plans
for our 2008 Holiday Season. We’ll also be looking
forward to the inauguration of the next president of our
United States. For me, as someone who has worked locally
with our Democratic city chairperson, E. Henry Twiggs,
along with many others in Springfield and across this
country for the election of African American Barack
Obama as our next president, I pray the work we have
done will make it a reality.
To a special little friend of mine, Happy Belated
Birthday Nashaly Charisse Russell Christmas will
soon be here for you to enjoy.