Economic Expert Speaks at Local Rotary Meeting
On Sept. 28, the Rotary Club of Southern Frederick County hosted Dr. Martin Regalia, renowned economist and current senior vice president and chief economist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, at Holly Hills Country Club in Ijamsville, Md.
Regalia received his bachelor’s degree with honors in economics from the University of Santa Clara as well as a master’s in economics and a doctorate in monetary economics from the University of Wisconsin. He joined the U.S. Chamber in 1993 and has been recognized by USA Today as one of the top 10 economists in the nation due to the accuracy of his forecasts. Regalia has also served as a principal analyst in the Fiscal Analysis Division at the Congressional Budget Office, as an economist for the board of governors of the Federal Reserve System in both the Banking and Capitol Markets Sections, and as a financial economist for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Regalia touched on many topics and concerns regarding our current economic status. Some of the main points of his speech were our nation’s consumption, the housing market trends, our nation’s investment patterns, U.S. trade concerns, interest rates and spreads, the government debt and the nation’s labor market. Regalia informed the audience that as of August 2011, the unemployment rate is 9.1 percent, and that the average duration of unemployment is 20 weeks.
For more information on The Rotary Club of Southern Frederick County please visit www.clubrunner.ca/Portal/Home.aspx?cid=7157.
Donations Collected at Rock the Need
On Sept. 17, families heard bands play, watched a fashion show and brought donations to Rock the Need: A Charity Concert and Fashion Show at Westview Promenade. Rock the Need featured multiple musical acts and a show that showcased fall’s fashion trends.
Living Water, a Christian rock band from Frederick Church of the Brethren, and Frederick Rock School students performed. Kelly Bell Band closed the music portion of the event.
While attendees were listening to the many sounds of the day, Renaissance Salon and Spa staff offered seated massages, manicures and airbrush makeup demonstrations — for free.
At the end of the evening, attendees watched the fashion show by Westview Promenade shops’ clothing lines, put on by Renaissance Salon and Spa staff members.
Many guests also helped local charities by donating clothing to help fund Goodwill’s community job skills and development programs; hygiene items for Religious Coalition clients; and food and cleaning products for the Hope Alive Ministries.
Renaissance Salon and Day Spa initiated a donation challenge among the merchants of Westview Promenade to see which store could bring in the most donations. The staff at Renaissance Salon and Spa won the competition by donating many bags and boxes full of clothes and shoes. Coldwater Creek tied MOM’s for second place with more clothing donations. MOM’s Organic Market contributed the most food items.
For details and to see photos of the Rock the Need: A Charity Concert and Fashion Show, visit www.shopwestview.com.
Women Are Happiest with Moderate Exercise
Women between the ages of 40 and 60 tend to prefer moderate rather than strenuous workouts.
That’s the finding of a new Penn State University study suggesting that middle-aged women who exercise at a moderate level are much happier and more likely to continue their fitness program than peers who do a more intense workout. This is especially true of women who have been previously inactive, the study reports.
Moderate to intense exercise is activity that has you working hard enough to raise your heart rate and break a sweat.
“As long as women engage in a regular exercise program that meets the federal guidelines of at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most, and preferably all, days of the week, they will see significant health benefits,” said Shannon Wallace Jr., owner of 368 Athletics & 368 Bootcamps in Frederick. “And adding strengthening exercises two or three times a week will yield even better results.”
Among the health benefits of a regular moderate exercise program is prevention of three leading causes of death among American women: heart disease, breast cancer, and stroke.
There are other advantages as well, Wallace said.
“You will manage your weight, help prevent osteoporosis, arthritis and type 2 diabetes, increase energy and stamina, and reduce stress and anxiety,” he said. “In other words, your regular moderate exercise routine will be good for your body and soul.”
While a moderate fitness program is clearly beneficial, Wallace suggested some women may want to give a more vigorous training a try. Intense activity means you are breathing hard and fast, and your heart rate is going up quite a bit.
“There are some advantages to a more strenuous workout that a moderate training may not give you to the same degree,” Wallace said. “It will help you achieve your fitness goals quicker and more effectively.”
For example, if one wants to lose weight rather than merely maintain it, vigorous routine such as interval training will yield better results.
“Intensity training, which alternates bursts of high-intensity activity with periods of rest, is twice as effective as ‘normal’ exercise when it comes to weight and fat reduction,” Wallace said. “That’s because you will continue to burn fat and calories for up to 36 hours after your workout is finished.”
However, no matter which training style you choose, “just keep exercising,” Wallace urged. “As long as you make physical fitness part of your life, you will reap great benefits.”
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