Happy Thursday everyone! Here’s what’s going on this weekend:
 
9/29-Jackson Brown Concert
7-10pm  Wente Vineyards  Livermore
Legendary singer/songwriter Jackson Browne closes out Wente Vineyards' summer concert season with songs from his extensive career
 
9/30-Winemaker Dinner
6:30-9pm  Concannon Vineyard  Livermore
You're invited to an evening of exquisite food and wine in the final celebration of Cabernet Month at Concannon Vineyard!
 
9/30-Pirates of Emerson Haunted Themed Park
7-11pm  Alameda County Fairgrounds  Pleasanton
Get spooked at this haunted themed park! Open through 10/31.
 
10/1- Livermore Airport Open House, Air Show, and Wine Tasting
10AM-4PM  Livermore Airport
Twirling planes and a glass of wine, a day of fun for the whole family! Join Livermore Valley wineries and The City of Livermore in celebrating the 20th annual Airport Open House and Air Show on Saturday, October 1, 2016  at the Livermore Municipal Airport. The Open House features wine tasting by Livermore Valley wineries, local vendors, vintage cars, music, a fabulous display of aircraft, and an array of food options by Food Truck Mafia. 
 
10/1- Craftoberfest Craft Beer Festival
3-6pm  Alameda County Fairgrounds  Pleasanton
Participating Breweries: Altamont, Alameda Island, 8 Bridges, Main Street, Elysian, 10 Barrel, Golden Road, Sierra Nevada, Kona, Stone, Speakeasy, Mendocino and Ninkasi. More to be announced at a later date!
 
10/1-Tinsel and Treasures
10AM-4PM  Danville Senior Center  Danville
30+ renowned craftswomen offering unique one-of-a-kind handmade gifts. See craft demos, listen to live entertainment and win raffle prizes!  Come for breakfast, lunch or dinner in one of Danville's many fine eatery's and explore local shops. $5 entry fee to the Boutique supports the Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area Sponsored by GFWC Danville Women's Club in partnership with Cottage Jewel and the Town of Danville.
 
10/2-Dogtoberfest
11AM-2PM  Robert Livermore Park  Livermore
A doggone good time for dogs and their humans!
 
Have a great week!

Happy Thursday! Here are some local events happening this weekend:

9/23- The Phantom Tollbooth Jr.
7:30-8:30pm  Firehouse Arts Center  Pleasanton
Family theater performed by local youth!
 
9/23- San Francisco Comedy Competition
8-10pm  Bankhead Theater  Livermore 
Enjoy an evening of laughter at the event that has helped launch a Who’s Who of comedic champions.
 
9/24- Sip, Savor, & Wager
1-4pm  Alameda County Fairgrounds Pleasanton
Watch live horse racing and taste amazing wines.
 
9/24- Chroma Exhibit and Gala Reception
5-7pm  Blackhawk Gallery  Blackhawk
Please join the Alamo Danville Artists' Society at the Blackhawk Gallery for Appetizers and Wine. 40 artists are participating in this new exhibit. The exhibit will be on display from September 23rd through November 27th, 2016. Gallery Hours are Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m to 6 p.m.
 
9/24- Red Carpet Casino Night Benefiting Jake Javier
5-11pm  Blackhawk Plastic Surgery  Blackhawk
This casino night fundraiser will benefit a Danville teenager paralyzed this past June in a tragic swimming pool accident. Jake Javier is a former San Ramon Valley High School football player who was paralyzed from the chest down after he fell into a pool, injuring himself at a graduation party the day before he was to graduate. Join Blackhawk Plastic Surgery for a fun-filled "Red Carpet Casino Night" fundraiser. The event will feature an auction, casino games, cocktails and dinner. For information on how to donate a raffle item or purchase your ticket, visit the following website: http://www.jakestrong54.com/about-us.html
 
9/25- Yoga in the Plaza
9:30AM-12:30PM  Blackhawk Plaza
On Sunday, September 25th starting at 9:30AM, CorePower Yoga is having a party with Lululemon on the Plaza Green located by the play area. This will be their last class in the Plaza of the season! Katerina's class will begin at 9:30AM with DJ ben Gershen. Please arrive with plenty of time to get a space on the Green. Post Yoga, Brunch at the Little Pear, right across the Duck Pond. Following Brunch there will be a Nutrition Seminar and a Vision and Goals Workshop. Let's make this the best outdoor class yet. See you there!
 
Have a great weekend!

Thursday September 22 is the autumnal equinox and first day of fall.

This day is also the 9th annual  Falls Prevention Awareness Day. 

This day, sponsored by the National Council on Aging, is to raise awareness about how to prevent fall-related injuries among older adults.

Falls threaten one’s safety and quality of life.  Unfortunately, falling is common and affects around 30% of community-dwelling individuals over the age 651.

Some common factors that can lead to a fall include: decline in balance and gait, impaired vision, use of medications (ie: may lead to dizziness or dehydration as side-effect of medication), environmental hazards (ie: presence of easy to trip over items), and chronic medical conditions (ie: arthritis, diabetes, stroke).

Physical therapists play an instrumental role in preventing falls.  A recent study related to various interventions to prevent falls determined that exercise is effective at reducing the risk for falls, reducing the rate of falls, and reducing the rate of injurious falls (falls which resulted in a fractured bone).  Exercise was shown to be beneficial despite whether it was performed in a group setting or at home2.

A physical therapist can help design a specific exercise program which focuses on gait, balance, strengthening, and functional training for you or your aging loved one.  Your P.T. can also help determine if an assisted device, such as a cane or walker, is appropriate for maintaining better balance.

If you have a history of falls or are concerned about falling, we encourage you to discuss your concerns with your primary care physician.  You may be a good candidate for physical therapy and we are here to help!

Check out the National Council on Aging webpage to access more information on healthy aging and falls prevention.  https://www.ncoa.org/healthy-aging/falls-prevention

Have a safe and wonderful week!
-Stephanie
 
References:

1. Deandrea S, Lucenteforte E, Bravi F, et al. Risk factors for falls in community-dwelling older people: a systematic review and meta-analysis.  Epidemiology. 2010;21:658-668.
2. Stubbs B, Brefka S, Denkinger M. What works to prevent falls in community-dwelling older adults?  Umbrella review of meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Physical Therapy. 2015;95:1095-1110.

Here are some local events for this weekend!
 
9/16- Pleasanton Harvest Festival
September 16-18  Alameda County Fairgrounds  Pleasanton
Shop hundreds of artisans of American handmade and embellished art, crafts, holiday, jewelry, specialty food, blown glass, and much more at the Pleasanton Harvest Festival® Original Art & Craft Show.
 
9/17- Cancannon Cab Camp: Concannon Legacy Tasting
11:00-2:00  Concannon Vineyard  Livermore
Join this retrospective tasting of Concannon Cabernet Sauvignon from the last 20 years.
 
9/17- Splatter Festival
12:00-8:00  Emerald Glen Park  Dublin
Come celebrate the end of summer with a colorful burst of food, wine, art and music.
 
9/17- Riedel at Rubino
6:30-8:00  Rubino Estates Winery  Pleasanton
Experience a professionally led tasting from a Riedel Glass representative.
 
9/17- Knockin’ Boots Country Concert
5:00-9:00  Blackhawk Plaza  Danville
Grab your partner and do-si-do down to Blackhawk Plaza for an evening of downhome fun! 
Join in the family fun with face painters, balloon twisters, corn hole and a mechanical bull at 5pm.
The Diablo Road Band takes the stage at 7pm. 
 
9/18- Danville d’Elegance
Downtown Danville 
Join us Sunday, September 18, 2016, when the streets of historic downtown Danville will overflow with the sights, sounds and smells of classic and exotic automobiles for the annual Danville Concours d‘Elegance.


Have a great week!

Flies, press, band work, push ups...All are great shoulder stability exercises.  But if you are looking for a new exercise that gets your middle and lower trap firing, try the horizontal abduction with press.

It is a 5 step exercise that should be held at each step for 2-3 seconds.  Try 3 sets of 10.

​There should be no pain....only fatigue.