Balance Newsletter - July 2008

Welcome to Balance!

Thanks for signing up for our monthly newsletter, we appreciate your support and interest! To find the latest in news and information to help you create a better life of balance, including local events and activities, check out our website at www.balanceaustin.com.

Happy Independence Day!

As high fuel prices continue to keep Americans off the road and out of the air, it is expected that more families than ever will opt out of traveling and choose to stick closer to home during the Independence Day weekend this year. July marks Fireworks Safety Month and with the current burn bans scattered throughout Central Texas why not leave the work to the professionals. Check out the list below for family-friendly Fireworks Celebrations.   

Majic 95.5 and the Austin Symphony Present July 4th Concert & Fireworks:

Thursday, July 4, 2008 - 8:30pm - Auditorium Shores at The Long Center.  Join your friends and neighbors at dusk at Auditorium Shores for free music and fireworks. Concert starts at 8:30pm and at about 9:30pm the fireworks begin. Majic 95.5 will broadcast the concert beginning at 8pm and News 8 Austin will be showing the fireworks show starting at 9:30pm. Click here for more information.  

Volente Beach Waterpark Independence Day Celebration:
Join Mix 94.7 at Volente Beach Waterpark for an Independence Day Celebration!  Friday, July 4th we’ll be hanging out on the beach with games, prizes and fireworks glasses for the party that night!  Come enjoy the waterpark during the day and stay for the fireworks display that night!  Enjoy live music featuring Austin's own Kristen Mari and Broke 60 at the Blu Parrot following the fireworks! Click here for details.

Round Rock Fourth of July Fireworks and Frontier Days Celebration:
This combined celebration on July 4 kicks off a 10am with a parade in downtown Round Rock. After the parade head to Old Settler's Park for the Western Traditions themed celebration. Reenactment of the Sam Bass shootout as well as free watermelon, arts and crafts, fireworks, and more! Click here for details. 

San Marcos Summerfest at San Marcos Plaza Park:
Events and entertainment on July 4 at 202 North CM Allen Parkway, include the Firecracker Golf Classic, Children's Parade and Costume Contest, Hays County Crime Stoppers Ducky Derby, Lions Club Illuminated River Float Parade, music, music, music, and fireworks! Click here for details. 

How Do You Create Balance?

In May, Paula DuPriest offered this feedback: “During the Summer months, my husband and I love to play golf together.  Every weekend, on either Saturday or Sunday, we’ll make tee times at a different public golf course all throughout the Central Texas area – there are so many to choose from, it’s amazing – and not only does it give us a chance to spend good, quality time together, but we get to see amazing parts of the state – all while exercising.  It creates great balance for us.”

Thanks Paula, and for sharing, we’re sending you a gift from all of us at Balance!

Want to be a part of Balance? Visit www.balanceaustin.com and click on “Your Balance.”  If you feel like you have tips to share with other women, don’t be shy!  If your "How I Create Balance" entry is featured, we’ll send you a gift like Paula above!

Sunday Morning Balance Breakfast Hour

Sunday mornings at 8am on Majic 95.5 have become the home of the Sunday Morning Balance Breakfast music feature, and it continues to generate more and more playlists – thanks for sending them in!  In June, special thanks to Kelly Huffman for programming the June 15th edition.  For your efforts, Kelly, we're going to send you a Balance recyclable grocery bag loaded with goodies!

If you have a playlist that sets your tone every Sunday morning, click here and submit five songs. This is your chance to program a radio station, even if it’s only 15 minutes!  The next Sunday Morning Balance Breakfast Hour will be at 8am on July 20th on Majic 95.5.

Balance Favorites

Last month Central Texans were able to decipher a very fine line between spring and summer.

In June, Austin Energy set a new all-time peak usage record powering sources for fabricated cool air.  According to sources, residents broke records that are normally set in late summer, when temperatures are hottest and schools are back in session. Central Texas has seen days of 100 degree temperatures and little to no rain.

Our elderly residents are the most prone to heat stroke and other heat related illnesses. If you have elderly relatives or neighbors, you can help them protect themselves from heat-related stress:

• Visit older adults at risk at least twice a day and watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke
• Take them to air-conditioned locations if they have transportation problems
• Make sure older adults have access to an electric fan whenever possible

The Center for Disease Control has a listing of how you can identify various heat-related afflictions.  Click here for more. 

Pets are many times the voiceless heat sufferers.  Their heavy coats coupled with Austins soaring temperatures make for a dangerous combination. Below are a few cooling tips to help you keep Rover cool this summer:

• Kiddie pools, swimming pools, or in Central Texas head to the lake!
• Sprinkler or hose for your pooch is an instant cool off
• Cold water bag (filled with ice water) or ice pack. Gently rub on Fido's tummy
• If your dog must be out in the yard for any period of time, be sure there's shade and plenty of water
• Sugarless Popsicles.  Avoid chocolate Popsicles; chocolate is bad for dogs

Click here for more tips on how to survive Austin's Sweltering Summer!

Take Me Out to the Ballpark

It's baseball season again, and that means it's time for pop flies, cotton candy and, of course, the seventh-inning stretch. Baseball is more than just a great day at the ballpark, it’s a 9-inning party for the senses. The smell and taste of ballpark hotdogs, the sounds of the crack of the bat, the fans donned in their favorite team wares and oh the feel of a broken in glove. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the song "Take Me Out To The Ball Game". As pitchers take to the mounds and fans take to the stadiums, there is more reason than ever to stand up during the 7th inning stretch, time to celebrate the most iconic and beloved of all American sports anthems.

With the soaring price of fuel, many families are opting to stay closer to home this summer. And why not! July marks the month of Hot Dogs and Ice Cream. So why not head out to the Dell Diamond and enjoy a slice of America’s Favorite Past time!

Balance Expo Benefitting the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition

On August 9th, Majic 95.5, Mix 94.7 and Talk Radio 1370am are partnering up with Scott & White Health Plan to bring women of Central Texas a day of everything women; to benefit the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, a full day Expo at the Palmer Events center showcasing products and services from hundreds of vendors catering to women. Click here for more information.

Featured Health Tip

At Scott & White Health Plan, we know, when it’s hot like this, there’s nothing better than taking a dip to keep you cool. But remember, water is powerful. So, here are tips to also keep you safe.

Tip 1: Learn to swim.  This is the most important thing you—and your kids—can do to be safe around water. Swim classes taught by qualified lifeguards are available for adults, children and even infants.

Tip 2: Take extra care in rivers and lakes. Avoid them after a heavy rain. Never dive into unknown water head-first. And if boating, make sure your flotation devices are coast guard-approved.

Tip 3: Learn CPR. Training only takes an afternoon and is taught at various places throughout your community.

From all of us at Scott & White Health Plan, enjoy your summer—and your favorite swimming hole.

Scott & White Health Plan.  We’re Texas Friendly.

This Month’s Featured Podcast

Melissa Nicholson is an Account Executive at Entercom Radio.  She began as an Account Executive in radio from 1996-2000 and returned in 2005. In 2000, she began Picture Box Productions where she produced film and video through 2005. She is happily married to husband Mike and has a 1 1/2 year old daughter, Iris.  She finds a wonderful balance in life, working three days a week in a ‘job share’ at Entercom Radio, while  enjoying her own personal life and interests, time with her family, and work. 

Click here to learn more about Melissa and how she creates balance.

Balance Event's This Month

This month, the Balance street team will be out and about with inspiring new Balance goodies including our Go Green Balance Canvas Shopping Bag and more!

• Tuesday, July 2nd – Round Rock Express Game, 7:05pm
• Friday, July 4th – Independence Day Celebration at Volente Waterpark, 5pm-9pm
• Thursdays, 10th & 24th – Cool River Café Ladies Night, 6:30pm-8:30pm
• Wednesday, July 23rd – Round Rock Express Game, 7:05pm

Check out our events at balanceaustin.com for updates on when and where the Balance team will be.

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