This last
week has felt like too many long nights in a smoky bar that you just want to
forget. Each morning I would wake up and wonder, “Will I be able to see the
Klickitats today?” (And who would have thought the air quality would be so bad
it would close school.) But after these weeks of smoky air, I am at least better
informed and prepared.
For
instance, I now know the type of mask to purchase (N95 respirator mask) and
that it needs to fit properly to be effective. (Breathing through the mask requires
greater effort and may feel uncomfortable. But if you find it easy to breathe
with the mask on, you are probably breathing the unfiltered air entering around
the edges of the mask.) I now know I can
go to the website www.aqicn.org to find the latest air quality index for
The Dalles (or any other major city in the world) to confirm that the air
quality is as bad as I think it is. And I now know that the North Central
Public Health District can lend portable air purifiers which were recently set
up at the Center.
But
enough of these lessons learned. Hopefully this week’s anticipated rain will end
this year’s fire season and cleanse the air of the unhealthy smoke that has
lingered around too long. And we can put on our sweaters and coats and enjoy a
sunny autumn before winter comes.
I’ve been
hearing that Pickleball (which combines elements of tennis, badminton and table
tennis) is the rage in town - as well as across the country. Tim McGlothlin has
been promoting the sport - and paid the price when he forgot he wasn’t the
young man he once was. But a little encounter with the bleachers hasn’t stopped
him from leading several CGCC Community Education Pickleball classes at the
Readiness Center starting September 28th and continuing for 12 weeks.
The beginning Pickleball class is from 5:00 – 7:00 on Thursday nights. And on
the same nights there are also two sessions of Competitive Pickleball for
intermediate and advanced players: 3:00 – 5:00 or 7:00 – 9:00. The total cost
is $44 for either class. You can find more information on page 24 in the CGCC Fall
Class Schedule that you received in the mail. You can register online or call
CGCC at 541-506-6011.
Besides
pickleball, there are other Community Education classes you may find worthwhile
including Medicare 101 from 1:00 – 3:00 on October 10th, or Social
Security 101 from 1:00 – 3:00 on November 8th - which are both free.
Or even Beginning Photography which teaches how to use a smartphone or other
inexpensive camera to take great pictures. This 10-week class starts on
September 27th and costs $69.
For several
years, the Center has scheduled northwest vocalist and crowd favorite Nehemiah
Brown to perform two Friday nights a year. But this time we have scheduled
Nehemiah to perform this Friday, September 22nd from 11:30 to 1:30
during the Meals-on-Wheel noon dinner. There is no admission charge for the
performance; we only ask that you buy the dinner for a suggested donation of
$3.75 for anyone 60 an older or $5.50 for everyone else. Nehemiah’s performance
is sponsored by The Dalles Health and Rehabilitation Center that provides a
continuum of care bridging the gap between hospital and home whether it is short-term
rehabilitation or long-term care.
In
1958 the American vocal group that recorded the number one hit “Smoke Gets in
Your Eyes” was the Platters. (I receive correct answers from Sandy Haechrel and
this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket, Betsy Ayres.)
While browsing
through the online version of my hometown newspaper, the Indianapolis Star, I
came across an article about one of Indy’s own who invented a shaving cream used
by millions. It was first sold as a white cream that came in tubes and during
WWII was a staple item in post exchanges and military ration kits. What was the
name of this shaving cream that gave you a “smooth, cool, clean, shave with no
rubbing, no lather, no brush and no hot water”? Email your answer to
www.mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or drop it off
with a recording by “Singin’ Sam”.
Well,
it’s been another week, wandering and wondering. Until we meet again, as my dad
always said, “Tomorrow is another day”.
“Some
days you’re a bug. Somedays you’re a windshield.” Price Cobb, race car driver
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