Give the New Year a Heart Healthy Start
Every year around this time, people start to give serious thought to the resolutions they will make to improve their lives in the New Year. Among the more popular ones are: to save more money, to eat healthier and to exercise more.
For the more than 5 million Americans diagnosed with heart failure, a progressive condition in which the heart’s muscle becomes weakened after it is injured from something like a heart attack or high blood pressure, the latter two couldn’t be more important. ...Please see the Jan/Feb issue of My Town Seniors Magazine for the complete article.

What Women Should Know about Sleep Problems
Submitted by: Raymond Float, R.Ph., Good Neighbor Pharmacy
Most women are quick to dismiss sleep problems as a natural part of their hectic lifestyles. As many as 70 million Americans suffer from sleep problems. Women are twice as likely as men to experience problems falling and staying asleep. Current sleep research aims to explore the reasons for gender differences in sleep patterns.
Sleep is a basic human need, essential to our survival. Not getting enough can interfere with daily routines, alertness, memory and functioning. Ongoing sleep problems can strain relationships and may be a red flag for other serious med-ical conditions (e.g., obesity, hypertension, stroke, depression). Women who have difficulties sleeping should contact their health care providers. ...Please see the Jan/Feb issue of My Town Seniors Magazine for the complete article.

Craving a Ski Escape? Check Out an Unexpected Spot — Sunny California
If you’re heading west this winter to hit the slopes, you may be following many other ski bums who will be flying straight over the Rocky Mountains and landing in sunny California.
The Golden State is home to the most popular destinations for a growing number of skiers this season, according to the Orbitz Insider Index (www.orbitz.com). California boasts the two most popular spots for skiers and snowboarders for the 2007/2008 season, with Lake Tahoe taking over the number one spot, and Mammoth Lakes, Calif., checking in at number two. Online travel agency Orbitz compiles its Index based on future hotel and vacation package bookings. ...Please see the Jan/Feb issue of My Town Seniors Magazine for the complete article.

Family Pitfalls
By: Don T. Ratcliffe, Attorney
A family can be defined in any number of ways. For some people a family means a husband and wife. For others it means a husband, wife, children and grandchildren. Still for others it may mean a single person who has nieces and nephews. Regardless of YOUR definition, it’s important to protect the family.
Family pitfalls can typically be anticipated before they become a crisis or emergency. This article will explore common family pitfalls and provide a solution that can be installed before they actually occur. ...Please see the Jan/Feb issue of My Town Seniors Magazine for the complete article.

Senior Spotlight
Marian Gibson: Active senior’s true passion lies with global missionary work
By Abigail D. Malik
Marian Gibson, who will be 80 in June, doesn't just sit at home on the weekends. Or the weekdays. Or any day of the week, for that matter, though her ten-year-old cat Honey might enjoy that.
"I do a lot of volunteer work," Marian says. And that's an understatement.
Marian, a Danville native, lived in Florida for 33 years. When her husband passed away, she moved back to her hometown. ...Please see the Jan/Feb issue of My Town Seniors Magazine for the complete article.

Treat Your Sweetie to Brunch
Who hasn't looked for a way to express love to someone special on Valentine's Day or another special occasion? Having an easy but tasty recipe on hand to whip up for your loved one can show how much you care. ...Please see the Jan/Feb issue of My Town Seniors Magazine for the complete article.

An Appointment With Spring
By:?Howard Coop
As it always does without fail, February brings a special event. It will be joyously celebrated by a few, somberly observed by some, made the object of jokes by many, and downrightly ignored by others. But in one way or another, most folk will take note of the fact that the second day of February is Groundhog Day, a whimsical event that is deeply rooted in the folklore of our culture.
According to folklore, the groundhog will arouse from hibernation on this day and leave his den to take note of conditions in the outside world, and weather predictions will be made on the basis of his astute observations and deliberate actions. If the little brown woodchuck, also known as a marmot, sees his shadow, he will return to his den to sleep through another six weeks of bad weather. On the other hand, if he does not see his shadow, he will remain outside and better weather will prevail. ...Please see the Jan/Feb issue of My Town Seniors Magazine for the complete article.

Rx Advice: Maintain a Healthy Heart
Beth Coyle, R.Ph. | Michael Leach, R. Ph., Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy (Danville & Richmond)
Statistics show that heart disease is America’s leading health problem and the leading cause of death. At the Medicine Shoppe pharmacy, we are committed to helping you keep your heart healthy. Heart disease is caused by the narrowing of the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries carry blood, oxygen and nutrients to the heart. When these arteries get clogged by cholesterol and fat deposits, blood flow to and from the heart is compromised. ...Please see the Jan/Feb issue of My Town Seniors Magazine for the complete article.