Print this story |
E-mail story |
This story has 2 comments Add your own |
iPod friendly | Bookmark this
What is this?
USA Today article now expected June 10
Published Wednesday, June 3, 2009
The AARP/Blue Zones Vitality Project in Albert Lea is now expected to be featured in USA Today June 10, according to correspondence with Blue Zones leaders and the project’s local leaders.
The story was initially scheduled to be featured Tuesday but was held.
It will include interviews with experts involved with the project — including Blue Zones founder Dan Buettner — along with other local leaders.
Photographers from the newspaper captured the Vitality Project kickoff May 12, when Albert Leans had the chance to begin their involvement with the project on a more personal level.
In January, AARP and Blue Zones leaders announced that they, along with national experts, would launch a project in Albert Lea aimed at adding two years of projected life expectancy to every participant.
Since, community leaders have met with AARP and Blue Zones leaders, walkability experts, health experts and nutrition experts to work on environmental changes that can help the city’s residents live better lives.
In the middle of May, Albert Leans began to pledge to lead healthier lifestyles by making a series of small changes to their lives.
From now until October, participants will attend workshops to help them find their purpose, learn about healthy cooking and form walking moai groups and walking school buses. They will also learn to make small changes to their homes and kitchens to positively effect their health.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?
Comments
Posted by ErnieGann (anonymous) on June 3, 2009 at 6:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't help but think of Professor Harold Hill in "The Music Man" (by coincidence, set just 40 miles south of here in Mason City). He came into town, told the populace that they were unique, made vague promises, and disappeared.
"Blue Zones"-- discovering the last one in the world--there are only 5 places in the world"? Note that most of the "Blue Zones" are not in the U.S.--or easily checked. The sole U.S. site--Loma Linda, California--is a study of 7th-Day Adventists within that community--hardly a broad study. One wonders why he didn't study the longevity of the people of North Dakota --perenially the longest lived people in the country? These people ALSO have much in common with the undeveloped countries--low stress, active people, a sense of community from being cut off.
Funding--National Geographic and the Council on Ageing listed. Other than that, he sells books and speaks.
From his bio on Answers.com--http://www.answers.com/topic/dan-buettner I get the feeling that the Blue Zones is a vehicle for book sales and travel--not the other way around.
From Answers.com
"Blue Zone's software helps the media biz get busy. Under the motto "author once, publish many" the company's MediaBZ software allows broadcasters and other media companies to create, publish, and reuse their content across multiple distribution channels. It manages television, radio, and print content, and supports distribution using the Internet, Web-enabled wireless devices, and interactive television. Blue Zone also provides support, maintenance, and integration services. Chairman Michael Warren owns almost 60% of Blue Zone. "
This would account for much of the media "buzz" on the web.
The material sounds like an old-time patent medicine salesman. "I tell you, my friends, that I have discovered the secret of long living. I bring you the secrets of the Orient. I've visited secret places in the Mediterranean, and discovered a culture of ancients in the jungles of Central America. You just have to live in a place where people have to walk everywhere they go, and are poor enough to not eat to excess. Drink red wine, think happy thoughts, be content, and you will live to a ripe old age! I've selected YOUR fair city (out of all of the cities I've traveled to) as a demonstration project. And yes, my friends, if you buy this magic elixir (or my program) I can virtually GUARANTEE that you will add at least two years to your life!"
Continued below
Posted by ErnieGann (anonymous) on June 3, 2009 at 6:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It sounds suspiciously like a gerentological version of Professor Hill, telling the residents of River City that their children are BORN musicians--and that he will create a town band.
The points are all well-known--your doctor probably tells you the same thing every year--lose weight, get more exercise, lose the stress, drink some red wine. These are all believable. Stating that "I've found the LAST places on Earth that have the secret to longevity" is not.
I wish him--and the community--luck in this project. Only good can come from the recommendations. If he starts asking for people to buy the elixir, though, I'll decline.
I guess we won't KNOW if the average age has gone up for several decades--and by that time, most older readers--and Professor Hill--will be gone. I don't think there will be any triumphal march of "76 Trombones" by 100-year-olds.
Post a comment (Terms of Use Policy)
The Tribune encourages healthy, respectful dialogue in the spirit of community enlightenment. It's OK to disagree, but be courteous and civil. Name-calling, vulgarity and claims of criminality are subject to removal.
(Requires free registration.)