While some may get over sentimental about the ending of one year, and way too serious about being a better person in the New Year, others are just looking for a good laugh. Laughing is allegedly the best medicine, and its most certainly good for the soul, so what better way to end 2014 and start 2015 by enjoying a good joke. Here are few Quotes for New Year with a twist of humor.

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.

“Tomorrow, is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.” ~ Brad Paisley

“And now we welcome the New Year, full of things that have never been.” ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties." ~Helen Keller

and remember...

"Every time you tear a leaf off a calendar, you present a new place for new ideas and progress." ~ Charles Kettering

Ask almost anyone to name one of the healthiest breakfasts you can have, and many will say, "oatmeal." Ask why it's so healthy, and they would probably answer, "fiber." While getting more fiberis a good reason to reach for that packet of oats in the morning, there's a lot more to oats, nutritionally speaking.

WebMD tells us that oatmeal, and other foods made from whole oats, such as oat bran and oat flour, can do a lot of good things for us.
Lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol - soluble fiber from whole oats, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease.

Help dieters' cholesterol - Weight loss lowers LDL cholesterol, and oatmeal may lower it even further.
Improve LDL cholesterol profile - Oatmeal may curb small LDL cholesterol particles, which may be riskier than bigger LDL particles.
Curb inflammation- Lab tests show that antioxidants in oats have anti-inflammatory properties.

Reap whole-grain perks against high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and weight gain. Many athletes eat rolled oats for the high level of complex carbohydrates and water-soluble fiber that assist slow digestion and help maintain stable blood-glucose levels.

Early identification of a child with a birth defect coupled with early intervention services typically improves the child’s quality of life and may even save his or her life. All women of reproductive age must take a multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid every day, be physically active, eat a healthy diet, work with their providers to manage chronic conditions appropriately prior to conception and during pregnancy, and seek to limit unneeded medication use to ensure a healthy pregnancy.

For more information and materials available please visit the National Birth Defects Prevention Network (NBDPN) and the  March of Dimes websites.

Join a Local Feeling Fit Club! The Feeling Fit Club is a functional fitness class intended for seniors 60+ years of age to improve mobility, strength, balance, and flexibility with the ultimate goal of maintaining independence and activities of daily living.
You can be part of the Feeling Fit phenomenon! The clubs offer social interaction and build self-esteem in a relaxed, non-threatening environment. Participants say they have better balance, greater strength and flexibility, enhanced sleep, improved mood, better digestion, more relief from arthritis and more resistance to chronic illnesses.
All ability levels are welcomed, please help us spread the word to all older adults in the area about this wonderful free program. To join a class near you, call (858) 495-5500, ext. 3 and leave your name, number and address.

Join Ranger Kory for a night full of campfire stories, riddles, and games designed to trick and deceive. The program is open to all children and adults that like solving puzzles and brain teasers. Bring a warm jacket and the ability to think outside the box. Leave with laughs and a lot of new activities for your own campfires. Free for campers; $3 day use fee for others. When- Jan 10 2015- Time-3:30pm-Where- Agua Caliente Regional Park 39555 Great Southern Stage Route of 1849 Anza Borrego Desert- Info- Please call (760) 765-1188 for more information.

The Department of Environmental Health has issued a General Advisory for the coastal waters of San Diego County due to recent rainfall. Swimmers, surfers, and other ocean users are warned that levels of bacteria can rise significantly in ocean and bay waters, especially near storm drains, creeks, rivers, and lagoon outlets that discharge urban runoff. Urban runoff may contain large amounts of bacteria from a variety of sources such as animal waste, soil, and decomposing vegetation. While many coastal storm drains within San Diego County are permanently posted with white metal warning signs, additional temporary warning signs are not posted for General Advisories. Activities such as swimming, surfing and diving should be avoided in all coastal waters for 72 hours following rain. This includes all coastal beaches and all of Mission Bay and San Diego Bay. Elevated bacteria levels can persist after a rainstorm depending upon the intensity of the storm, volume of runoff and ocean and current conditions.

Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge north including Silver Strand State Beach

A water contact closure is currently in place for the ocean shoreline at the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge north including Silver Strand State Beach due to sewage-contaminated flows from the Tijuana River entering the United States. Signs will remain in place until sample results indicate the ocean water is safe for recreational use. For updates on beach closure information, visit www.sdbeachinfo.com, check out the County App Center or call the 24-hour hotline at 619-338-2073

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid.With Graves’ disease, theimmune system makes antibodies that act like TSH, causing the thyroid to make more thyroid hormone than your body needs. This is called an overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism.An overactive thyroid causes every function of the body to speed up, such as heart rate and the rate your body turns food into energy.

Graves’ disease occurs in people of all ages, but most often starts in the 20s and 30s.Without treatment, Graves’ disease can lead to heart problems, weak and brittle bones, and even death. Learn more (PDF)

Do you remember who taught you to read? Do you remember how it opened up the world to you? Help a child open up their world—volunteer! Each year OASIS places adults in local San Diego Unified, La Mesa-Spring Valley, Chula Vista and Cajon Valley elementary schools helping children grades K-4 enhance their reading and writing skills.
We would love to have you join us! Volunteer Tutor Training-When: Tues Jan 13 and Wed Jan 14 -Time:12:00-3:00pm-Where: San Diego OASIS 1702 Camino del Rio North Macy’s Mission Valley-third floor- Info:RSVP-Contact Kathryn Gray Tutoring Coordinator (619) 269-8014 kgray@oasisnet.org to reserve your spot! (please attend both days)
Once you’ve completed the training you’ll be placed in a local elementary school. You will be asked to volunteer approximately 45 minutes one day a week, working one-on-one with a child. No teaching experience is needed, your enthusiasm, patience and compassion are far more important. We provide you with free books, teaching materials and journals to use with your child.

The San Diego Continuing Education assists job- seeking San Diego residents age 55 and over and helps local employers to find experienced, dedicated and reliable employees. Services are free to both job seekers and employers.
San Diego area jobseekers age 55+ are invited to attend a workshop to learn about: Establish a brand/mission statement, Discover the hidden job market, Learn the importance of sending thank you notes, Networking/Marketing, Resumes and cover letters that work, and Toastmasters/Master Mind Alliance.
Where:Educational Cultural Complex, South Metro Career Center location- Chavez Room. 4389 Imperial Avenue/92113
INFO- Please call: 619-388-4956 for: Registration. The classes are free. You can enroll anytime in class. Visit sdce.edu for more information

The County’s Health and Human Services Agency Behavioral Health Services Division is hosting a series of open sessions to get feedback and input on mental health programs funded by the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) for fiscal year 15-16 (July 2015 to June 2016).

In December, Behavioral Health Services (BHS) Division hosted a series of regional Community Program Planning sessions during the first two weeks of December to gather community and stakeholder input on MHSA funded programs. This January BHS will be hosting three additional sessions during evening hours for the convenience of stakeholders that were not able to attend the sessions during traditional business hours.

Persons living with mental illness and their family members are encouraged to participate in this very important process. The forums are offered in North Inland, Central and South regions of San Diego County. Additionally, light refreshments, child care and translation services will be provided.

Southern Caregiver Resource Center and San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts invite you to attend this FREE informational workshop for family caregivers. With Keynote Speaker: Paul Greenwood Deputy District Attorney, Elder Abuse Unit. Come and learn more about preventing senior scams, learn stress managements techniques, obtain helpful resources and get answers to your most pressing questions.This course meets the qualifications for 3 hours of continuing education credit for MFTS and LCSWS as requiered by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (#PCE 646).
When-January 20, 2015- Time: 9:00am-12:30pm- INFO-For more information and to RSVP please call: 1800-827-1008 or (858) 268-4432- Where- First United Methodist Church, Linder Hall 2111 Camino del Rio South San Diego, CA 92108

Planning Ahead: Crucial Conversations,” a free workshop to help families navigate end-of-life decisions. Helping families & seniors navigate end-of-life decisions. Produced with the San Diego Community Action Network (SanDI-CAN), this six-hour FREE conference helps families and seniors with end-of-life planning. Participants will be able to identify their end-of-life values and goals of care and acquire the communication skills necessary to make informed health care planning decisions! **refreshments, lunch provided & community resource tables** Day: Wednesday, January 21, 2015- Time: 9:30am to 3:30pm- Place: Balboa Park Club- 2150 Pan American Road West San Diego, CA 92101

Join a Local Feeling Fit Club! The Feeling Fit Club is a functional fitness class intended for seniors 60+ years of age to improve mobility, strength, balance, and flexibility with the ultimate goal of maintaining independence and activities of daily living.
You can be part of the Feeling Fit phenomenon! The clubs offer social interaction and build self-esteem in a relaxed, non-threatening environment. Participants say they have better balance, greater strength and flexibility, enhanced sleep, improved mood, better digestion, more relief from arthritis and more resistance to chronic illnesses.
All ability levels are welcomed, please help us spread the word to all older adults in the area about this wonderful free program. To join a class near you, call (858) 495-5500, ext. 3 and leave your name, number and address.

The San Diego Conference focuses on multi-disciplinary best-practice efforts to prevent, if possible, or otherwise to investigate, treat, and prosecute child and family maltreatment.

The objective of the San Diego Conference is to develop and enhance professional skills and knowledge in the prevention, recognition, assessment and treatment of all forms of maltreatment including those related to family violence as well as to enhance investigative and legal skills. Issues concerning support for families, prevention, leadership, policy making and translating the latest research into action are also addressed.

When: Where: Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina,
San Diego, California- Info: Please visit chadwickcenter.org for more information and sandiegoconference for reservations and brochure

Re-invent your plate with these practical and delicious recipes. Learn how to use the power of good food to rejuvenate yourself from the inside-out.

Food to Warm Your Soul by: Gordon Saxe, MD, PhD, Preventive Medicine Physician, UCSD Center for Integrative Medicine; and Diabetes and Dessert without the Blood Sugar Spike, by: Renee Lewis, Coordinator, UCSD Center for Integrative Medicine.
When:Wednesday, January 28 -Time: 6:30 -8:30pm-Where:Preuss School 3750 Voigt Drive La Jolla, CA 92037- INFO- Register: Call 800.99T.COYD (800.998.2693) or send an email to rsvp@tcoyd.org to reserve your spot.

Support Our Community Seniors. Free Suicide Prevention Training.Come and learn about : Behaviors that should concern a visitor,Prescription interactions and safe disposal of medications, Alzheimer’s Disease, Fall Prevention, and Community resources to help seniors with staying active and safe, mental health issues and minor home repairs.

The training is designed to support volunteers, caregivers, family and friends who visit seniors in their homes and care facilities. Complimentary Box Lunch Provide.This includes:
• Family, friends and caregivers of seniors
• Service organization volunteers
• Faith-based care teams and Stephens’ ministries
• Ombudsmen, Meals on Wheels and Senior Volunteer Patrol /YANA
When-Thursday, January 29, 2015- Time: 9:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.- Place- San Marcos Community Center, Main hall 3 Civic Center Drive, San Marcos, CA 92069

We cordially invite you! To our Share and Learn gathering en Español. Directivas de Salud. “Inicie el año planeando su salud”

Se ha preguntado alguna vez “¿Qué es lo que quisiera que se hiciera por mí en dado caso que yo no lo pueda comunicar”? Este 2015, hay que empezarlo dando el mejor regalo a nuestros familiares, preparando nuestras "instrucciones anticipadas de salud" y comunicando nuestros deseos. Al preparar estas “instrucciones” comunicamos lo siguiente:
- Seleccionamos e informamos a nuestro agente de salud sobre nuestros deseos
- Nuestras preferencias personales conforme a nuestros valores y creencias
- Nuestros deseos sobre el tratamiento o cuidado de salud que nos gustaría recibir
Nuestro tratamiento puede ser un poco más fácil y eficaz cuando comunicamos nuestros deseos sin que nuestros seres queridos tengan que “adivinar” que es lo que quisiéramos que se hiciera por nosotros. Para registrarse o para más información llame al (858) 499-4950. Este evento educativo es gratuito y abierto para toda la comunidad y aquellos interesados en este tema. Este evento es solo para adultos. Habrá desayuno ligero. Cuando- El Jueves 29 de Enero-Hora: 8:30am – 10:30 a.m. -Lugar: San Diego Country Club 88 L St. Chula Vista, CA 91911-Info-Reserve su lugar registrándose antes del viernes 23 de enero porque el cupo es limitado. Por favor contacte a Jessica.Lopez@sharp.com o (858) 499-4950 o al fax (858) 499-4666 para registrarse o más información.

Would you like to audition for a spot in the 40th Annual San Diego’s Got Talent Show? Seniors, 50 years and older, will perform their best number in one of the following talent categories: dance, vocal, instrumental, or variety.
San Diego's Got Talent will be held onThusrday March 19, 2015 from 12:30-3:30 at The Balboa Park Club.
$3 prepaid and $5 at the door. Auditions will be held on Friday, January 30, from 12:00-3:00 p.m. at the War Memorial Building (3325 Zoo Dr., north end of zoo parking lot). Please register for an audition by calling (619) 236-6905.