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FEBRUARY 2015 BRANCH NEWSLETTER
EXECUTIVE CORNER
ERIK VAN DE POLL
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
February is all about love and love comes
from the heart! Although heart disease is the
number one cause of death in the US, there
are many ways we can keep our heart
healthy. The two key elements to
maintaining a healthy heart are regular
exercise and a healthy diet. According to
fitness industry standards, 30 minutes of
rhythmic, aerobic (cardiovascular endurance)
exercise of at least moderate intensity, on
most days of the week, is best in terms of
improving heart health. Heart-pumping
activities like walking, jogging, cycling, and
dancing (yay for Zumba!) can all be found at
the Y’s more than 50 weekly Group Exercise
classes!
SPOTLIGHT: BRAZIL
Dancing is very popular in Brazil, particularly
Capoeira, Samba and more! In honor of our
monthly spotlight, try out a dance exercise class,
such as Zumba. We even have a family fun
Zumba class on Saturdays from 11.15am12.10pm.
February 13th – 17th is Carnival, Brazil’s most
famous festival.
For an Brazil-inspired games for the whole
family, try Charades. Or for a delicious
healthy snack cook up some Oven-Baked
Sweet Plantains. Look for more
information!
IN THIS ISSUE
Executive Corner
Spotlight: Brazil
Member Spotlight
Staff Spotlight
Volunteer Opportunities
Program Updates
Important Dates
Branch Board
Branch Staff
MOST UP TO DATE
INFORMATION?
Please visit us at:
www.ymcadc.org/Arlington.
ENJOY THIS ISSUE?
Feel free to share this
newsletter with anyone who
you think may find it useful.
QUESTIONS,
COMMENTS, IDEAS?
Contact Liz Nason at
[email protected]
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT!
LESLIE JEWELL
With a cross country move from Oakland, California
to Arlington in 2009, Leslie began working from
home, cooking more, and putting on weight. She
enrolled her two daughters in Y summer camps in the
summer of 2009, and decided to try a few Y classes
later that year. Leslie had never taken a dance class,
but she loved the Y’s Zumba class and didn’t feel
pressure to be a great dancer. Soon after that, she
started personal training with Y trainer Larry, even
though she had never really lifted weights. Personal
training, weight lifting and a “no pressure”
environment inspired Leslie to try many other Y
classes including Body Pump, Cross Training, and Spin. Leslie started taking Yoga at
the Y last year and not only has seen improvement with her flexibility but also feels
more relaxed. Working out is just one piece of the puzzle, though, and healthy
eating - including trading recipes with her Y personal trainer Larry - is important to
her. When she made a commitment to working out at the Y, Leslie also took
cooking classes that encouraged her to eat fewer processed foods and more whole
foods. It’s not easy to stay on track with a family of four, but the Y plays a key part
in getting back on track when Leslie’s had date night out with her husband or pizza
night with the kids. “We all have so many balls to juggle, but working out and
staying healthy - while it does take time - really can make you feel so much more
energetic, happy and healthy,” finds Leslie.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT!
NANCY NUNEZ
Head Gymnastics Coach, YMCA Arlington Angels
A member of Dominican Republic’s National
Gymnastics Team (1986), Nancy Jimenez Nunez
started working as a gymnastics instructor at the
YMCA Woodmont Center in 1994. Mrs. Nunez
originally came to the USA to train elite gymnastics
at the South Texas Gymnastics Academy (STGA).
She moved to the DC area in 1993 and has since
dedicated her time to helping strengthen the
YMCA’s youth gymnastics competitive program.
Mrs. Nunez is the head coach of the YMCA Arlington
Angels Team, one that includes both state and
national champions. Through Mrs. Nunez’s
leadership, the YMCA angels Team program
expanded, providing higher level training for level 8
& 9s. Currently, the YMCA Angels team now has
grown to include gymnasts competing at level 3 to
level 9 competitive gymnastics. Also, YMCA Angels
Team has participated at the YMCA Nationals
competition for the last 15 years; this year alone
the YMCA Angels placed 7th out of 113 teams. Mrs.
Nunez is humble and genuine, always available to help gymnasts and their families
as well as she can. A point of reference here at the YMCA, her kindness,
understanding, professionalism, and passion for the sport of gymnastics exemplifies
her dedication to YMCA values regarding the development of youth, families, and
community.
Nancy is married and has two children. She and her family live in DC.
VOLUNTEER
OPPORTUNITIES
We are continually
looking for people who
are dedicated to
making their
community a better
place. There are
volunteer needs in our
business office,
housekeeping team,
membership team,
child care team and
anywhere you feel your
talents could be an
asset!
If you would like to
meet to discuss
potential opportunities
to partner, please
contact our Executive
Director, Erik Van de
Poll at
Erik.Vandepoll@ymcad
c.org.
IMPORTANT
DATES!
February 13th & 27th
Friday Night Kids Clubs
February 18th
Camp Open House
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BRANCH BOARD
MEMBERS
Lynda Horvath-Board Chair
Chris Bavolack-Resource Chair
Rohini Chopra
Leyla Corker
Dan Dixon
Craig Esherick
Barbara Favola
Libby Garvey
Greg Hamilton
Alissa Karton
Erik Koons
Charlie Lihn
Sara Miriska
Abby Raphael
Bill Roske
Steven Rubloff
Colin Uckert
Leah Wallace
BRANCH
LEADERSHIP
TEAM
Erik Van de Poll
Executive Director
[email protected]
Liz Nason
Associate Executive Director
[email protected]
IT’S A PARTY AT THE Y!
The best birthday parties happen at YMCA
Arlington! Let us do everything to make your
child’s day special. Our trained birthday hosts
and hostesses will set-up & decorate, lead
themed activities, and ensure your child’s
celebration runs smoothly. All you need to do
is show up, relax and enjoy the most
memorable party of the year.
Our 1 ½ hour parties include basic decorations, personalized ¼ sheet
cake, beverages, ice cream, paper products, private use of the birthday
party room and 2 hosts/hostesses to lead the party activities for the
birthday party child and up to 15 friends!
For more information or to schedule at party contact Liz Nason at 703525-5420 or [email protected].
2ND BACK TO BASICS YOGA WORKSHOP
We are so excited to have had such a wonderful response to our first
workshop we’ve put together a second to try and get everyone we
missed! There will be a sign up sheet on the front desk of the Y or you
can email our Wellness Director, Sarah Johnson, at
[email protected] to register. There will be a cap of 20
participants again.
FREE for Full Privileged Members!!
$10 for Program Members
$20 for Non-Members
The workshop will be held on Saturday, March 14th from 12:30-2:30pm
and will be taught by Mary.
OUR MEMBERS AND STAFF…
Becky Brown
Membership Director
[email protected]
Check out our Facility
Engineer, Vadim with his
hockey team, The Fairfax
Knights!
Sarah Johnson
Wellness Director
[email protected]
Joe D’Emidio
Woodmont Center Director
[email protected]
Sego Seferian
Business Director
[email protected]
Vadim Nabatov
Facility Engineer
[email protected]
Spreading the love of handball,
here are members Karl Lady and
Bruce Aft participating in the
consolation finals at the Vic
Hershkowitz Handball Tournament
in South Florida!
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