“Drunk driving isn’t an accident; it’s a decision that’s made without concern for the safety and well-being of others. Make one New Year’s Eve resolution early – don’t drink and drive.” – Mike Woods, Lawyer

Designating a sober driver has never been easier thanks to the Safe Night Cab Ride Program sponsored by Woods & Woods Injury Lawyers. Entering its 16^th year of service, the program provides free cab rides home for those who have been drinking or who don’t feel they have a safe way home this New Year’s Eve.

Need a ride? Here’s How
Safe Night Cab Ride will be available in Evansville and Newburgh, Indiana from 11 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 through 4 a.m. on Wednesday, January 1, 2014.

To request a free cab ride home in Evansville or Newburgh, call Unity Taxi at (812) 421-9999 and tell them Woods & Woods Injury Lawyers is picking up the tab. Please remember:

Cab rides are provided to adults who otherwise might attempt to drive home after drinking. People MUST call Unity Taxi and mention the Safe Ride program to get a free ride home.

• Cab rides are provided from a bar or restaurant to an individual’s residence – not to other drinking locations.
• Due to the high number of ride requests on New Year’s Eve, rides cannot be guaranteed to everyone who calls; however, every attempt will be made to accommodate all requests. Drivers have the right to use their discretion when accepting fares.

 About Woods & Woods
Based in Evansville, Indiana, Woods & Woods Injury Lawyers is a family-operated law firm dedicated to presenting the rights of individuals injured or disabled by the negligent conduct of others. Since its establishment in 1985, Woods & Woods lawyers and staff members have actively participated in the well-being of the community through many projects and by annually sponsoring the Safe Night Cab Ride program. Visit WoodsLawyers.com to learn more.

World’s premier classical Chinese dance company offers themes to live by in a burst of color and sound

By Zenon Dolnyckyj

Admittedly, I’m not Chinese, but when it comes to traditional Chinese culture—the food, the arts, the philosophies—you name it and I’m there. So it’s no surprise that every year I’m in attendance at Lincoln Center to watch Shen Yun Performing Arts. It’s often sold out, but what gets me most is the attentiveness of the children in the audience. This is by no means a “kids show,” but both my daughters (8 and 10) love it. It’s fun, thought provoking, and filled with compelling characters. The message is simple and accessible while being also touching and at times even profound.

Literally translated, shen yun is a Chinese term that means “the beauty of divine beings dancing.” Today, it also means an extraordinary performing arts company that embodies the beauty, virtue, and spiritual depth of China’s 5,000-year-old culture.

For millennia, China was known as “the Celestial Empire.” Myths and legends throughout history record that the Middle Kingdom was continually guided by celestial beings. But this ancient tradition has been all but completely destroyed. Today, where can you actually go to discover authentic Chinese culture?

Surprising enough, the answer is not China.

After more than 60 years of communist rule in China, and especially after the devastating Cultural Revolution of the 1960s and 70s, traditional Chinese culture has been all but lost there. But the deeper spiritual core of the ancient culture, with its values of benevolence, honor, propriety, and tolerance, lay deeply imbedded within the Chinese people.

In order to revive this traditional culture, a group of Chinese artists in New York established Shen Yun in 2006. The company quickly attracted talent from around the world to the point that, now, it counts among its artists many winners of international dance and vocal competitions and musicians from world-renowned conservatories and symphonies.

At the core of Shen Yun performances is classical Chinese dance, an age-old art form complete with its own system of training and movements. Dynasty after dynasty, it was passed down among the people, in imperial palaces, in plays, and even in martial arts techniques.

Alongside classical Chinese dance, Shen Yun also features a variety of folk, ethnic, and story-based dances, presenting China’s rich diversity and long-cherished legends. The show takes you riding with Mongolians across boundless grasslands one moment and climbing up into the Himalayas or drumming on an ancient battlefield the next.

Yet, perhaps Shen Yun’s most unique offering is its ability to capture the very spirit of

traditional Chinese culture. Ancient stories come to life on stage to celebrate compassionate, courageous, and even quirky characters. Audiences experience the thrilling triumph of the Song dynasty’s loyal general Yue Fei, cheer on the Monkey King as he tricks a stubborn foe, and witness inspiring scenes of courage from today’s China.

“I think the most unique aspect of a Shen Yun performance,” says Shen Yun Principal Dancer Miranda Zhou-Galati, “is that it has a very strong message of hope, which is something that really touches the audience’s hearts.”

Looking across the aisle at other members of the audience—young and old alike—and seeing the joy on their faces, I’m again reminded how universal is the appeal of traditional Chinese culture. It’s something not to be missed.

Shen Yun Performing Arts will come to The Centre, Evansville, Jan. 28-29. Tickets at: www.ShenYun.com/Evansville and 800-745-3000.

By

Roy M. Arnold MD

A recent article published entitled “9 Foods That Are Keeping You Fat” brings to light just how common and widespread consumption of fat-promoting foods is in the USA. Is it any wonder we are quickly becoming one of the fattest nations on the planet?

“9 Foods That Are Keeping You Fat,” by Dana Fullington. Published online at http://www.twincities.com/life/ci_24767598/9-foods-that-are-keeping-you-obese

1. Potato chips

A recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine stated that the food most strongly associated with weight gain is potato chips. Over time, potatoes in general were attributed with causing the most weight gain, though it was potato chips that were the worst. French fries came in a very close second. The Article suggests that if you’re going to eat potato chips or French fries, make them from scratch. If you make them from scratch, you can control ingredients and portion size as well, and you’ll only end up eating them on very special occasions. Better yet, make kale chips instead if you have to have something crunchy, and hold the salt.

2. Diet soda

How could this be? Diet soda is free of calories. Apparently, the artificial sweeteners in diet soda interfere with your body’s normal response to sugar, throwing off your body’s ability to know how many calories you have eaten, resulting in a craving for more caloric sweets. Researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center also recently presented strong data proving that diet soda makes us fat. They found that the more diet sodas a person drank, the more weight they gained.

3. Foods made with high-fructose corn syrup and corn syrup

Commercials may claim that high-fructose corn syrup is fine in moderation, but remember, marketing is also a part of the “food” industry. The syrup interferes with the body’s metabolism so that a person can’t stop eating. High-fructose corn syrup slows down the secretion of leptin in the body. Leptin is a crucial hormone that tells you that you’re full and to stop eating. That’s why it’s so closely associated with obesity in this country. It’s like an addictive drug.

4. Red and processed meats

The food quality study from The NEJM found that both red and processed meat caused weight gain down the line. Over the course of four years, weight gain was closely linked to both meat varieties and was also inversely related to the amount of vegetables participants ate.

5. Low-fat junk foods

Junk food in itself is a problem, but oftentimes when that processed junk becomes low-fat, it’s even worse, believe it or not. When foods are low-fat, manufacturers have to fill in the taste somewhere, so they add sugar, which is seriously worse than fat! Carbohydrates and sugar are the ingredients to beware of, not fat, if you are looking to lose weight.

6. Diet microwave meals

In the weight-loss game, the beauty of the microwave meal is that it’s portioned out for you, and it is super convenient. But that’s really the extent of the benefits. Instead, make yourself a real meal. It doesn’t have to be complicated, but in the end, whole fresh foods are what keep us thin.

7. Pasta

Lots of people think pasta is healthy — not so. All pasta is made from dough which is processed, no matter what. That makes it a simple carb, one of the most important things to stay away from if you are trying to lean out. Whole grain, not whole wheat versions are healthier and can fall into the heart-healthy grain category.

The biggest problem with pasta is usually the serving size. It is supposed to be 1/4-1/2 cup. This is a very small amount of pasta and NOT nearly enough for most people to feel satisfied with. The only way to be sure is to measure it out!

8. Cereal

Cereal manufacturers would like you to believe that enriching their cereal with a lot of vitamins makes it a good choice. But the bioavailability of all those added nutrients is dubious at best. Most cereals have way too much added sugar and preservatives, and very few are made with intact whole grains. If you are trying to lose weight, you need to eat lean protein, especially in the morning! Eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, and uncured meats are the choices that will help you get leaner.

9. Booze

The science is simple, according to Shapefit: Pure alcohol contains about 7 calories per gram, which makes it nearly twice as fattening as carbohydrates or protein (both contain about 4 calories per gram), and only just under the caloric value for fat (9 calories per gram).

This means that if you want to lose weight and reduce excess body fat, alcohol is not a good choice. It also contains no nutrients — hence the saying “empty calories,” which means your body is getting nothing from those alcohol calories to work with.

A balanced diet rich in colorful vegetables like spinach, eggplant, carrots, peppers, and low in carbohydrates, relying on protein from fish and poultry is the best for weight loss and for nutrition. Fat doesn’t make you fat – sugars and starches do.

Always consult with your healthcare provider or a dietitian before embarking on a weight loss program. Happy New Year from 21^st Century Healthcare. www.21centuryhc.com

January 3, 2014

11:00 A.M.

Location – Room 301

Call to Order – Pledge of Allegiance

1. Agenda Request
2. Roll Call
3. Minutes
4. Presentations 
   1. New Business – 2014 Coros ADA Community Grant

1. Old Business
   1. Icemen
   2. Transportation
   3. Strategic Planning Session

1. Employment/Job Opportunities for those with Disabilities

2. Public Transportation

3. Marketing & Awareness

4. Accessibility to City & County Facilities

1. Announcements
   1. Emergency Management and Preparedness – Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities Webinar Series (January 8th, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. ET). To Register: http://www.adaconferences.org/Emergency/ (click on the “Registration” web link to start)

1. Adjournment