January National Glaucoma Awareness Month!!

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, an important time to spread the word about this sight-stealing disease.

Currently, more than 2.7 million people in the United States over age 40 have glaucoma. The National Eye Institute projects this number will reach 4.2 million by 2030, a 58 percent increase.
Glaucoma is called "the sneak thief of sight" since there are no symptoms and once vision is lost, it's permanent. As much as 40% of vision can be lost without a person noticing.
Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness. Moreover, among African American and Latino populations, glaucoma is more prevalent. Glaucoma is 6 to 8 times more common in African Americans than Caucasians.
Over 2.7 million Americans, and over 60 million people worldwide, have glaucoma. Experts estimate that half of them don’t know they have it. Combined with our aging population, we can see an epidemic of blindness looming if we don’t raise awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations to preserve vision. The World Health Organization estimates that 4.5 million people worldwide are blind due to glaucoma.

Help Raise Awareness

In the United States, approximately 120,000 are blind from glaucoma, accounting for 9% to 12% of all cases of blindness. Here are three ways you can help raise awareness:

1. Talk to friends and family about glaucoma. If you have glaucoma, don’t keep it a secret. Let your family members know.
2. Refer a friend to our web site, www.glaucoma.org.
3. Request to have a free educational booklet sent to you or a friend.

Connect with us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for regular updates on glaucoma research, treatments, news and information. Share information about glaucoma with your friends and family.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that gradually steal sight without warning. Although the most common forms primarily affect the middle-aged and the elderly, glaucoma can affect people of all ages.
Vision loss is caused by damage to the optic nerve. This nerve acts like an electric cable with over a million wires. It is responsible for carrying images from the eye to the brain.
There is no cure for glaucoma—yet. However, medication or surgery can slow or prevent further vision loss. The appropriate treatment depends upon the type of glaucoma among other factors. Early detection is vital to stopping the progress of the disease. Watch a video from the research scientists working to find a cure.

Types of Glaucoma

There are two main types of glaucoma: primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and angle-closure glaucoma. These are marked by an increase of intraocular pressure (IOP), or pressure inside the eye. When optic nerve damage has occurred despite a normal IOP, this is called normal tension glaucoma. Secondary glaucoma refers to any case in which another disease causes or contributes to increased eye pressure, resulting in optic nerve damage and vision loss.
Read more about Types of Glaucoma.

Regular Eye Exams are Important

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world, according to the World Health Organization. In the most common form, there are virtually no symptoms. Vision loss begins with peripheral or side vision, so if you have glaucoma, you may not notice anything until significant vision is lost.
The best way to protect your sight from glaucoma is to get a comprehensive eye examination. Then, if you have glaucoma, treatment can begin immediately.
Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness among African-Americans. And among Hispanics in older age groups, the risk of glaucoma is nearly as high as that for African-Americans. Also, siblings of persons diagnosed with glaucoma have a significantly increased risk of having glaucoma.
Read about Glaucoma Eye Exams.

Risk Factors

Are you at risk for glaucoma? Those at higher risk include people of African, Asian, and Hispanic descent. Other high-risk groups include: people over 60, family members of those already diagnosed, diabetics, and people who are severely nearsighted. Regular eye exams are especially important for those at higher risk for glaucoma, and may help to prevent unnecessary vision loss.

Help Us Find a Cure

Glaucoma Research Foundation is a national non-profit organization funding innovative research to preserve vision and find a cure for glaucoma. Gifts of every size make a difference. Donate today.

Building Water is on!!

Thank you all for your patience while we were having a issue with the water you can now start using the water agian.

Breakfast on the run!!

As you leave the community on January 21st 2015 we will be serving breakfast on the run.
We will be at the entrance at 8am. while supplies last!!

We are so thankful to have such wonderful residents that on this date we wanted to find a way to brighten your morning and get off to wonderful start.

We are greatful for each and every one of you!!
 

Dont forget to test carbon dioxode and smoke detector (helpful tips)

To keep your family safe from smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide (CO); it’s important to test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. In the event of a fire, or the presence of poisonous carbon monoxide gas, the alarm will sound to give your family time to escape. When used in a kitchen, choose a smoke alarm with an optical sensor to reduce false alarms. To keep your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms working properly, replace the batteries at least once a year and the detector after 10 years.

Dont forget to change your air filter as well. You can find a extra filter in the clubhose under the coffe bar station if you need to stop by on the weekend.

Please let us know if you need assistance with this.

Yappy hour tommorow

Yappy Hour is

yappy hour

a laid back scene of furry fun where canine friends come together to unleash and unwind while enjoying such amenities as a playful date with community friends.Come enjoy and bring your dogs out to mingle. 1/14/2015 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. in Beechlake clubhouse. All guest are welcome to come and enjoy the gathering for the pets !!  (You do not have to have a pet to come)

Yappy hour

How to keep heating cost down for the winter

Turn down the thermostat
Setting the thermostat in the high 60s, perhaps around 66 or 68 degrees, will keep you comfortable enough (with your sweater and socks) but won’t raise your heating bill too much. For every degree that you raise the thermostat, count on adding about 2% to your utility bill. If you think about it that way, you might be willing to go even lower!

Put on a sweater
Yes, your mother had the right idea: Instead of turning up the heat when you are chilly, put on more layers! Make sure you’re wearing socks in the house, and a nice, soft sweater can make you feel warm and cozy. Snuggling up on the couch with a blanket is another great way to stay warm, and you can share warmth with a loved one or even a pet by sharing your blanket.

Build a fire
If you have a wood stove or fireplace, start using it! You will have to procure wood, and this might be expensive, but as you look around: You may be able to find a cheap source of firewood if you are able to pick it up yourself, or perhaps in large slabs that you cut once you get them home. One caution: You should have your chimney inspected and cleaned each year, because soot and debris can cause a house fire.

Saftey tips for driving in the snow, ice and winter!!

Keep speed as low as practically possible

Increase your distance between cars

Slow right down for corners, junctions and any other hazards

If travelling long distances, be aware of changing conditions

along your route

Get all of your braking done on the straights, never brake during a corner if it can be avoided

Be prepared for understeer and oversteer, and know how to correct when necessary

Be prepared to use ABS or avoidance braking techniques

Top up washer fluids and antifreeze

Select 'snow' mode if available on automatic transmissions, or if an advanced electronic stability control system is fitted

If you have to climb a slippery hill, ensure the top is clear before starting the ascent

Many websites have published information which deal with the above issues well, so if you need more of the basics, try a Google search. This article discusses some more advanced safety-based techniques for making progress in winter driving conditions.
Pull away and accelerate gently and progressively.
In slippery conditions such as snow and ice, aggressive acceleration is likely to break traction at the driven wheels. The resulting wheelspin can lead to loss of steering control in a front wheel drive (FWD) car, or an oversteer slide in a rear wheel drive (RWD). Both of these situations will prevent you from going in the direction you want and can be difficult to recover from.
Quickly recover from wheelspin
If you do notice wheelspin or the traction control systems fighting for grip, fight the urge to floor the throttle, and instead back off the gas and then reapply smoothly.
keep the engine speed (rpm) as low as possible
Keep a constant low throttle in order to maximise grip. Most diesel engines will cruise along happily in low gears without using any throttle as all.
Reduce torque at the wheels
Change up sooner rather than later, pull away in second gear if possible, and use the highest practical gear at all times. Higher gears reduce torque at the driven wheels and therefore lower the chances of wheelspin - especially important if you need to climb a slippery hill. Keep gear changes as smooth as possible, as it will be easy to spin the wheels in most gears when conditions are really challenging. If you drive an auto, make use of any winter settings at your disposal.
Avoid sudden driver inputs
These can include steering, braking, acceleration or gear changes. You only have a finite level of grip available so try not to overload your tyres unnecessarily. Driving smoothly will conserve grip, and make you safer on the roads.
Brake soon, and gently If you do not have ABS fitted, be prepared to ease off the brakes when necessary to steer more effectively. Locked front wheels cannot steer!
Make the best use of ABS
If you do have ABS, you'll be able to tell it has triggered by feeling a pulsing sensation through the brake pedal. If this has occurred do not 'pump' the brakes, rather keep a firm pressure on the pedal for maximum effectiveness. ABS is designed to help you steer as you're slowing down so use this to your advantage and avoid obstacles.
Prevention is better than cure
Even if you do have ABS or traction control systems fitted, don't get into the habit of using the technology routinely, you'll be able to slow down in a shorter distance if you use threshold braking techniques.
Use a trailing throttle through corners
Easing off the gas before you enter a corner will transfer some weight to the front wheels, helping to increase traction where it's needed.
Carry speed up slopes
Demands on your tyres increase dramatically up hills. You need to carry a suitable amount of momentum to make it to the top. As you do approach the brow of the hill, ease off the throttle and come to a gentle halt.
Control speed down slopes
Keep your speed down from the top of a descent, don't expect to be able to scrub off much speed on the way down. Think well ahead and prepare for the next hazard.
Observation and anticipation
No matter how skillful you are, there's no substitute for thinking ahead. If you're in familiar areas, anticipate what's coming up, and if you're not in a place you know well, then expect hazards around every corner.
LEarn how a car behaves at the limit of friction
This is a sensible idea for any driver - go to a skid pan or play around on a track. Spin a lot, learn how to control slides, this is such a helpful transferable skill which may save your life one day.

All residents welcome!!

 

 

 

On these chilly days please dont forget to stop by the coffee bar in the clubhouse to make your self a hot cup of coffee or hot coco!!