The answer to Cardiovascular Genetics
The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British and Americans.
On the other hand, the French eat a lot of fat and also suffer fewer heart attacks than the British and Americans.
The Japanese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British and Americans.
The Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine and also suffer fewer heart attacks than the British and Americans.
CONCLUSION
Eat and drink what you like.  It is speaking English that kills you.

A team of specialists at St. Paul’s Hospital recently performed the world’s first minimally invasive “beating heart” aortic valve replacement surgery.

Seniors who are concerned about their safety on the street.  The following are some PREVENTIVE TIPS:
1. Walk only in well-lit areas.
2. Do not burden yourself with packages and a bulky purse.
3. Never display large sums of money in public.
4. Walk near the curb and away from alleys and doorways.
5. Go shopping in pairs or in a group.
6. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid areas that increase your chance of being assaulted.
7. Report problem areas to the police.
8. If you suspect you are being followed, cross the street; go to the nearest home, service station, or business and call the police.

Can You Reduce Your Risk of Having a Stroke?

DEFINITELY!
* Control your blood pressure.  As you grow older, your chance of having high blood pressure increases.  Have your blood pressure checked regularly.  If you have high blood pressure, follow you doctor’s advice for lifestyle changes and medication.
* Control your diabetes.  Keeping you blood sugar under control reduces your risk.
* Quit smoking.  Within a year of quitting, your risk is cut in half.
* If you have an irregular heartbeat, tell your doctor.  Diagnosing Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is easy and it can be treated with medications and other treatments.
* Control your blood cholesterol levels.  High cholesterol level can be reduced through a healthy lifestyle and medication.
* Be active.  Participate in physical activity every day.
# 60 minutes of light activity, or
# 30 to 60 minutes of moderate activity, or
# 20 to 30 minutes of vigorous activity.
* Moderate your alcohol intake.  The maximum intake for men is 2 drinks per day (total of 14 drinks per week) and the maximum for women is 1 to 2 drinks per day (9 drinks per week).  A drink is equal to 1 bottle of beer or 5 ounces of wine or 1½ ounces of liquor.
* Maintain a healthy weight.  If you are overweight, make a plan to improve your lifestyle such as reducing calories and walking daily to lose weight.

A minister who was fond of pure hot horseradish always kept a bottle on his dining room table.  He offered some to a guest, who took a big spoonful.  When the guest finally was able to speak, he gasped, “I’ve heard many ministers preach hellfire, but you are the first one I’ve met who passed out a sample of it.”

And then there’s the guy who said it was true that he married his wife for her looks, but not for the ones she’s been giving him lately.

Quotable Quotations:

Button-worthy thoughts on sewing ...
“One sewing project, like one cookie, is never enough!”
“The only place housework comes before sewing is in the dictionary!”
“Sewing mends the soul.”
“So much fabric, so little time.”
“The sewing machine joins what the scissors have cut asunder, plus whatever else comes in its path.” --- Mason Cooley
About chocolate:
“Chocolate is a divine, celestial drink, the sweat of the stars, the vital seed, divine nectar, the drink of the gods, panacea and universal medicine.” -- Geronimo Piperni, 1796
“The divine drink which builds up resistance and fights fatigue.  A cup of this precious drink permits man to walk for a whole day without food.”  -- Hernando Cortes, 1519
“It’s strengthening, restorative, and apt to repair decayed strength and make people strong.”  -- Louis Lemery, 1702
A little boy was overheard praying:
“Lord, if you can’t make me a better boy, don’t worry about it.  I’m having a real good time like I am.”
The best way for a woman to have time to herself is to start doing the dishes.

The Co-op advantage.

Co-ops have a unique set of advantages over other kinds of enterprises and organizations.  Co-ops and credit unions:
* are inclusive and accountable.  They are open to everyone regardless of income or social status.
* help build stronger communities.  Since most co-ops are community or regionally based, investment in, and surplus revenue from the co-op stays within the local economy.  Every dollar invested in a local co-op has a significant multiplier effect for the community.
* are loyal to their communities.  They are less vulnerable to takeovers and closures by outside decision-makers.  In fact, in many communities, co-ops have stayed to serve their members long after other businesses have fled to more profitable locales.  For example, there are numerous communities in B.C. where credit unions are the only source of financial services.
* have a higher survival rate than private business.  Statistics show that co-ops have a 64% survival rate in the first five years compared to 35% for private businesses.  Over ten years, co-ops have a 46% survival rate, compared to 20% for private businesses.
The discussion at The Co-op Atlantic AGM held in May of 2006, marks the third consecutive year the wholesaler and service provider puts a major focus on getting young people involved in the co-op system.  Garvie says that in the past two years Co-op Atlantic has been focused on getting feedback from youth;  this year they plan to start reaching out in a broader way.
“We know that we have to reach young people where they are, and today that means Internet,” he says.  A new web site in the planning stages is intended to be a meeting and sharing place for young people to expand their interest in where co-ops fit in their communities, and what part they can play.  Armed with that knowledge and support, they can begin playing a bigger role in their own communities.
Garvie notes that the hundreds of young people who have participated in workshops through Atlantic Co-operatives Youth Leadership (ACYL) programs will be an initial group to get involved in the venture.  In applying the co-operative values they learn about at those events.  Having this initial group of interested and motivated young people will likely be key, because although younger generations are on-line, their choices there are also limitless.
Garvie agrees that it will be a challenge to capture and retain interest.  But he also notes that it is not only east coast co-operatives that are facing the dilemma; “In talking with fellow co-operators in Quebec, they all tell me they are facing the same problem.  It’s just that we’re a little step ahead in addressing it.  They are going to be watching what we are doing.”
(Perhaps it would be to our benefit if we here on the west coast kept an eye on what takes place out on the east coast.  It wouldn’t hurt to copy their lead if it proves successful.)

Types of Co-ops in British Columbia

Credit Unions: Roughly one-third of British Columbians are members of credit unions.  Credit unions, like Integris Credit Unions, play important leadership roles in communities such as, Clinton, Fort St. James, Prince George, Quesnel and Vanderhoof.
Consumer Co-ops: in B.C. provide everything from food to clothing and benefit more than 71,000 members.  The largest consumer co-op in Canada, Mountain Equipment Co-op. has over 2 million members across Canada, and was started in B.C.
Housing Co-ops: In B.C. there are over 260 housing co-ops, providing homes for more than 13,000 families.  Housing co-ops continue to be the single most cost efficient way of providing affordable housing.
Childcare Co-ops:  There are more than 125 childcare co-ops in B.C. offering high-quality, affordable childcare to all types of families, with extensive involvement from their members - the parents.
Agricultural Co-ops: Co-ops have been key to helping farmers and producers to succeed in the dairy, flower and orchard industries.  Today a new generation of agricultural co-ops that provide value-added processing are ensuring co-ops will play an even stronger role in the economic development of rural and agricultural communities.
Insurance Co-ops: National co-operatively-owned insurance companies underwrite about 15% of property and casualty insurance in B.C.  One of them, The Co-operators has also taken a strong leadership role in supporting local communities through the creation of its $1.5 million Community Economic Development Fund.
Worker Co-ops: Worker co-ops in B.C. employ their members in such diverse fields as graphic design and homecare.  The Federation of Workers Co-operatives of B.C. is a leader in the creation of new jobs through the organization of employee-owned businesses.

I believe ... that just because two people argue it doesn’t mean they don’t love each other.
And just because they don’t argue, it doesn’t mean they do.
I believe ... that no matter how good a friend is they’re going to hurt you every once in a while, and you must forgive them for that.
I believe ... that true friendship continues to grow even over the longest distance, same goes for true love.
I believe ... that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

The Lady of the House had dropped into a coffee shop the other morning.  When she came home she was still smiling over a bit of conversation overheard from the next table.  A woman had joined her friend who was sitting waiting for her.
“Sorry I’m later than usual, love,” she said, “but my dishwasher wouldn’t work this morning.”
“Oh dear,” said the other.  “What’s wrong with him?”

Young Kenneth was very keen to have a baby brother or sister.  He kept asking his mother why they couldn’t get one.  After all, his pal’s mother got one.  His mum explained that they couldn’t afford one at present, but perhaps later...
One day Kenneth came home from school in great excitement.
“Come on Mum,” he cried.  “There’s a notice outside the church hall - ‘All Welcome - Children half-price’!”

Be on the outlook for the West Nile virus this summer!

West Buke  virus is a disease that first came into North America through New York in 1999.  It can infect people, birds and other animals, and is transmitted through certain mosquitoes.
Up until now, there have been no cases of West Nile virus originating in B.C.  However, it could arrive this year, likely in other parts of the province before it reaches the North.
If a mosquito bites you, it’s not likely you’ll get sick.  Many species of mosquito don’t carry the virus.  The greatest risk from being bitten is later in the season, from July to September.
Will give you more on this virus in the next newsletter.

A friend of ours had an addition to his family, a little sister for six-year-old Susan.  When he told Susan the news she was thrilled.  “Oh Daddy,” she said, “does Mummy know?  Lets go and tell her!”

I hope you have been using the disinfecting station near our shopping cart stations.  With all the various types of bad bugs floating around us these days, it becomes necessary for us to protect ourselves and our families, as much as possible.  It only takes a minute to stop and wipe the cart down with one of the wipes supplied at these stations.  This is a good example of the Co-op taking an innovative initiative step towards protecting our health while shopping.  Way to Go!

Doug Smith, Member at Large.