The Crow Museum of Asian Art and Mastermind Meditate have announced a two-day Mindfulness for Beginners mindful meditation seminar on January 19th and 20^th to help you keep that new year resolution to start meditating. Those enrolling before December 19 will save $50 on registration and all who enroll will receive a one-year membership to the Crow Museum of Asian of Art.

“If you’re new to meditation, Mindfulness for Beginners is a great introduction to mindful meditation. If meditation is a part of your life already, the workshop can help you focus your practice,” said Dorsey Standish, Chief Mindfulness Officer and Workshop Leader, Mastermind Meditate. “Resolutions are great, but how do you start to form new habits? This two-day seminar is a perfect way to start and it’s data driven – backed by brain health research because we know mental health is just as important as physical health.”

The curriculum covers the historical evolution of mindfulness, the research-backed health benefits of mindfulness practice, and the study of the pillars of mindfulness in a supportive, instructor-led environment. Participants will experience mindful living techniques such as mindful walking, mindful eating, and mindful communication as well as the powerful practices of intention and compassion. Each student will leave with meditation tips and tricks, inspiration for daily practice, and a cited course workbook for referral.

“We are honored to provide programs like this retreat with Mastermind Meditate,” shared Beth Reese, Ph.D., Director of Education and Mindfulness for The Crow Collection. “As part of our mission to love and celebrate the arts and cultures of Asia, we embrace and integrate into our workplace these ancient traditions and research-based transformational tools. I have experienced first-hand how mindfulness-based practices empower humans of all ages to actively practice being aware, present, focused, empathetic, and compassionate to self and other in the midst of any circumstance.”

The workshop will take place on Saturday, January 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Sunday, January 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Crow Museum of Asian Art. Save $50 and register for the workshop for just $199 by using the code NEWYEARNEWYOU by December 19 to receive this discount and a Mastermind swag bag. After December 19, registration is $249 per person. In addition to ten hours of mindfulness training and a brain health workbook, all participants will receive a one-year Access Pass membership to the Crow Museum of Asian Art with parking, and a guided mindful tour of the Crow Museum. A breakfast reception on Saturday and Sunday and lunch on Saturday is also included.  

Register at mastermindmeditate.com/programs or call 214-522-4575.

At age 12, Sydney Ewing, a member of the World Olympic Gymnastics Academy (WOGA) in Plano and current Allen High School senior, was already at the top of her game. A competitive gymnast, Sydney was placing at the top in her level at gymnastics competitions and won gold medals on uneven bars, balance beam and in the all-around at the 2011 State Championship. She overcame an ankle injury soon after that season but came back strong to qualify for the Junior Olympic Nationals.

She continued to compete, steadily advancing in her levels and placing in more competitions, but injury plagued Sydney again. In 2015, Sydney started experiencing back pain, a problem for many gymnasts because of the toll that intense training and competition takes on the body. While competing at a regionals event in Denver in 2016, Sydney fell from the uneven bars, further irritating her injury and causing a stress fracture in her back. She immediately began looking for a doctor that would be able to heal her without surgery, a move that could have put her budding career on hold. That’s when she turned to Dr. Stephen Courtney of Advanced Spine Center in Plano.

“We discovered Sydney had a stress fracture in her lower back, which in common terms is a break in the bone,” said Dr. Courtney. “It’s one of the most common causes of lower back pain in teenage athletes. After hearing Sydney’s ambitions for her athletic career, I wanted to take her down a path to full recovery without surgery. I told her we could get the bone healed and the issue resolved completely, without increasing her risk of future back problems.”

“Many doctors were telling us that Sydney would need surgery, which could have ended her aspirations for continuing gymnastics through college because of the impact recovery time would have taken on her training schedule,” said Steve Ewing, Sydney’s father. “But Dr. Courtney was able to treat her without surgery. He explained it would be a slow recovery – she missed a year of competition – but he put us on a non-surgical treatment plan that would allow her to fully heal and start competing again. He let us know what we would expect every step of the way and was truly passionate about getting Sydney back to what she loves to do.”

After a multi-step treatment plan to heal her broken back including low dose steroids, modified activity, rest and physical therapy, Sydney began to regain her strength and was able to start gymnastics again. She recently competed in the state meet where she finished in fourth place overall. But most exciting of all to Sydney are the opportunities she now has ahead of her. She just received the news that she was offered a full-ride scholarship to one of the top universities in the country for gymnastics, Michigan State University. Sydney will graduate in May and report to Michigan State in early July.

“We are so grateful that Sydney did not get surgery and that we found Dr. Courtney. The fact that she went from not knowing if she would ever be able to compete again to a full-ride scholarship to college for gymnastics blows us away,” continued Steve.

Dr. Stephen Courtney is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon who focuses on disorders of the neck and back. In recent years, he has expanded his reach and has improved the quality of life for patients across the country. Dr. Courtney has developed nine product lines, and has obtained nine patents and 14 trademarks on spine related products. His work ethic, outstanding outcomes, and personable approach to patient care have earned him a reputation as one of the best spine surgeons in Texas. To learn more about the Advanced Spine Center, visit www.advancedspinecenters.com.

The WeWork Creator Awards is a new start up competition granting over $20 million in funding to entrepreneurs, small businesses, growing companies, non-profits, artists or anyone with a great idea. The application process takes only 15 minutes, and entrants will be eligible to compete for $1.5 million at the South Regional Finals in Austin over June 26 and 27. The application deadline is June 5.

In addition to financial awards, the South Regional Finals brings together everything it takes to make a life, not just a living. The two-day public event will include a pop-up market with local sellers, series of master classes and workshops, a job fair as well as live pitches and an awards ceremony and celebration.

The Creator Awards are a new global initiative from WeWork, the world's largest co-working community and shared space provider, with three locations in the Dallas area. WeWork believes that the way we work is changing -- and that the way we recognize and reward work must change too.

To learn more and apply, visit www.creatorawards.wework.com.

Neighbors,

Only two days left to early vote in the HPISD bond election!

See what current and past members of the HPISD Board of Trustees are saying about the bond:  

"Our discussions related to the 7 schools in our district spanned several years.   We listened to the educators and experts in areas of demographics, school design and finance.  We engaged our parents, community leaders and just about anyone who would listen or talk about the issues at hand.  It was clear the right thing to present to the community was a long term plan that not only managed the continued growth of our district, but equally important, was comprehensive in its scope to improve the educational capability and functionality of all our schools; not just for our kids, but for our teachers and staff, as well.  Our community has proven many times over the past century its willingness to look to the future and make decisions that are right for those that will follow.  This is again one of those opportunities.  We firmly believe the bond proposal will allow coming generations of HPISD students to enjoy the same high quality experiences and opportunities.   We can and must think forward for them.  From your school trustees, thank you to everyone who has taken the time to learn about the bond, to those who have already voted and to those who will vote between now and election day.  We unanimously support this bond.  It is the right plan at the right time!"

Joe Taylor, Current President, on behalf of the entire HPISD Board of Trustees 

"For one hundred years, HPISD has provided unqualified educational excellence for our children.  We have an unprecedented opportunity to maintain the highest caliber of academic accomplishment for our second centennial era."

Leslie Melson, Trustee 2006-2015, past President 

 "What a privilege it is for all of us to be part of the Highland Park School District.  I hope that our community realizes that we need to take care of that privilege."

Jeff Barnes, Trustee 2001-2010, past President 

"The undeniable growth in HP student enrollment demonstrates that the quality of our schools remains strong. This bond issue gives our community the opportunity to make a long-term investment in maintaining that quality for generations to come...like our predecessors did for us!"

Guy Kerr, Trustee 1995-2001 

"I am supporting the Bond Proposal for three primary reasons: it will protect and enhance (1) the value of our homes, (2) the quality of our schools and (3) the strength and vibrancy of the Park Cities.  To embrace the smaller, band-aid approach that has been advocated by opponents of the Bond Proposal would only compound our facilities problems and cost the taxpayers a whole lot more in the end.  We cannot take the passage of the Bond Proposal for granted.  To do so would put our schools and in turn, our whole community at great risk.  Instead, we must all stand up and fight for the passage of the Bond Proposal by going to the polls with our friends and neighbors to VOTE YES!"

Michael Boone, Trustee 1989-1996, past President 

"The facility needs of the district have been clearly identified; a bold plan for addressing these issues has been proposed.  It is now up to the citizens of the Highland Park Independent School District to determine whether they choose to pursue a path of excellence for the school children of this district or have chosen to continue in overcrowded, under-equipped houses of learning.   My desire is to provide a space for our educators and our students that will enhance their work and eliminate conditions that now stand in their way.  I believe this bond proposal will accomplish that.  After listening intently to the Facilities Committee presentation, reading the materials and having my questions answered, I fully support this recommendation."

Judy Gibbs, Trustee 1986-1995, Past President

As Early Voting continues through Friday, and Election Day comes this Tuesday, please join with these leaders and so many across our community in voting YES!  Our Kids Are Worth It!

Foundations for the Future PAC, 3419 Westminster #351G, Dallas, TX 75205

Although alcohol and drug abuse is most commonly related to young adults, older adults are at high risk as well. According to a recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), an estimated 4.8 million adults age 50 and over had used an illicit drug in the past year. Furthermore, a national survey by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), reported the highest frequency of binge drinking occurred among adults age 65 and older – 5 to 6 times per month.

Marc Turner, CEO at Greenhouse, a leading provider of substance abuse treatment services for individuals with drug and/or alcohol addiction, offers these warning signs that your elderly loved one may be abusing drugs or alcohol:

• Rapid increase in the amount medication needed. If you notice your loved one is using more medicine than usual and needs to fill their prescription earlier than normal, or at an increased frequency, this may be a warning sign they are abusing their medication.
• Use of more than one pharmacy. Many people who abuse prescription drugs will fill their prescriptions at different pharmacies in order to avoid detection. If you suspect this is taking place, talk with the pharmacist.
• Visiting more than one doctor. In order to get their fix, many addicts will visit different doctors in an effort to get multiple prescriptions for whatever medicine they are addicted to. Try offering to attend doctor appointments with your elderly family members if you suspect this is happening.
• Unexplained personality or behavior changes. Oftentimes those suffering from drug or alcohol addiction will exhibit noticeable changes like a loss of interest in hobbies, decreased motivation, withdrawn behavior or sudden changes in relationships.  
• Uncharacteristic behavior including depression, irritability or mood swings. What once was a loving, bubbly family member may now have sudden mood changes, irritability or angry outbursts and may appear fearful, withdrawn, anxious or paranoid with no apparent reason.

If you suspect your loved one is abusing drugs or alcohol, the best way you can help them is by letting them know you are concerned about them and want to help. Educate them about the dangers and consequences of drug abuse and help them identify the reasons that led them to start abusing drugs. If you believe your loved one has gone past abuse to addiction, seek help from an in-patient or out-patient addiction treatment facility. 

About Greenhouse. As part of American Addiction Centers, Greenhouse treats individuals with substance abuse and behavioral health issues in the serene setting of a former luxury spa. Located in Dallas, Texas, Greenhouse supports recovery with an advanced research–based curriculum and robust alumni program. In addition to traditional treatment modalities, this CARF-accredited facility offers restorative activities such as therapeutic massage, personal training, and yoga. For more information, visit www.GreenhouseTreatment.com.