Future Foundation Video From 2009

Youth Leadership Visit King Gillette Ranch

On Tuesday, April 9th, the Conejo Valley Youth Congress Program traveled to King Gillette Ranch, a parkland located in the center of the Malibu Creek Watershed. Our group was greeted warmly by Melanie Beck, an Outdoor Recreational Planner in charge of trail planning and appraising needs for outdoor resources at the facility.

Melanie lectured extensively on King Gillette Ranch through her expertise in outdoor ecosystems and management. Named for the razor magnate, King C. Gillette, King Gillette Ranch not only houses much of the wildlife in the area, but it also provides insight into California’s cultural and archaeological history. After a brief introduction, Melanie brought us along a tour of the facility, a trip that proved both educational and fun.

We examined various wildlife exhibits that provided information on the surrounding ecosystem and our local issues, such as the endangerment of mountain lions. Melanie concluded the trip by bringing together the concept of individual interests versus community ideals, emphasizing that our decisions to industrialize should consider the safety of our ecosystem.

We left King Gillette Ranch with a higher understanding of the habitat around us, as well as a deeper appreciation for what our actions can do to the environment.

Story by Gilbert Bao

Health Expo Draws Healthy Crowd

An estimated 500 people attended the Future Foundation's 2013 Health Expo at the Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center on Saturday, April 13.  Some 143 area residents took advantage of the $25 blood panel screening according to Irene Brennick, Director of Community Services for Los Robles Hospital. Another 30 residents donated blood for the Rotary Club of Calabasas sponsored blood drive. Free screenings were provided for blood pressure and body mass index as well as exercise and fitness demonstrations.

Among the popular features at this year's event was UCLA Health Systems' "Stress Free Zone," and the "Operation Game." The game featured a life size "body" from which participants were challenged to "surgically" remove various "organs" without tripping an alarm. It took a steady hand to remove the "funny bone" or "butterflies" from the stomach.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department provided training in the latest techniques of  "sidewalk" CPR. If you have not renewed your CPR skills lately, you should consider taking a refresher course to learn the newest techniques.

Among the most helpful exhibits was the "Ask the Doctor" area where doctors from Los Robles Hospital provided answers to questions from attendees in one on one private discussions.Several doctors from UCLA Health Systems were also available to answer specific questions for attendees.

In addition to all the exhibits, three very informative presentations about stress were conducted by experts in the field.  Doctors Edd Hanzelik and John Horton discussed "The Inner Game of Stress," and Doctor Shahrzad Shareghi discussed "How Stress Affects the Heart." All in all, it was an excellent opportunity for area residents to take some positive steps toward a healthier life.

Free Health Expo Saturday, April 13th

Don't miss our 3rd annual Health Expo, Healthy Living for a Healthy Future, this Saturday at the Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Lots of free exhibits, valuable information and health tips, handouts and lectures on health related issues. Health practitioners available to answer questions. Kids and adults will enjoy the life sized "operation" game. For more details see the articles below.  For directions to the Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center, click here.

Health Expo Coming April 13

See the following article for more information:

3rd Annual Health Expo Bigger Than Ever

Community Health Expo III, to be held April 13th from 9am – 1pm at the Agoura Hills / Calabasas Community Center, once again brings “Healthy Living For A Healthy Future” to the residents of our region. This popular free interactive family event is organized by the Conejo / Las Virgenes Future Foundation, the local regional think tank. “The Community Health Expo is a wonderful opportunity for people to take charge of their health through interactive games, informative guest speakers, industry professionals and life saving tests,” says Annemarie Flaherty, Executive Director of the Agoura Hills / Calabasas Community Center. “There is something for everyone.” Expo III builds upon the most popular programs from last year, with a wide range of exhibits, product demonstrations, and valuable lectures from experts on critical topics including stress management and heart health.

The Rotary Club of Calabasas will again be sponsoring a blood drive (walk-ins welcome, or sign up in advance at www.calabasasrotary.org). Take advantage of free blood pressure and BMI screenings, and Los Robles Hospital will offer blood panel screenings for only $25, including a complete blood count, lipid profile, glucose, and PSA prostate screenings. (Limited space for walk-ins; get an advance sign-up form by emailing info@clvff.org. An 8 hour fast is required if you would like to take advantage of this service). The Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center’s workout facilities and rock climbing wall will be available for use at no charge – attendees are welcome to try out the facilities or join fitness instructors for free classes. New this year will be the Stress Free Zone, brought to you by UCLA Health System, plus you can test your skills on a life-size “Operation” game. Doctors, pharmacists, and health experts will be available to answer questions.

This free event is brought to you by the Conejo / Las Virgenes Future Foundation in conjunction with title sponsor Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center. Other major sponsors include Agoura Hills / Calabasas Community Center, UCLA Health System, The Acorn Newspapers, Rotary Club of Calabasas, Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks, West Hills Hospital and the Grossman Burn Center at West Hills Hospital.
 

Community Health Expo III Sponsors

Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center

Agoura Hills/CalabasasCommunity Center 

UCLA Health System

 

Rotary Club of Calabasas

Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks

The Acorn Newspapers

West Hills Hospital

The Grossman Burn Center

Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities for Community Health Expo III are still available. To find out more, or to see the entire schedule of events call (818) 880-1054,or scroll down to the flyer posted on this web site.

Youth Leadership Visits Los Robles Hospital East Campus

On Tuesday, February 26th, 2013, the Youth Congress Leadership Program journeyed to the Los Robles Hospital and Medical Center East Campus in Westlake Village. Built in 1968, the Los Robles Hospital now employs more than six hundred board certified physicians and boasts comprehensive medical services in over fifty specialties. After a compelling introduction by Simi Chandice, Director of the entire East Campus, professionals working in everything from physical rehab to medicine explained the basics and intricacies of their respective professions, giving us an idea of what working in a hospital is like. Courtney Ford, a dietitian working at Los Robles, and Mary Lens, cardiac expert, familiarized us with the various diets and activities that patients undergo during rehabilitation. Occupational therapist Suzanne Crawford, Speech Director Kim Herbert, and Activities Director Christy Badamyan furthered our understanding of the types of rehabilitation methods that patients experience while recovering from injuries or ailments. Not only were we presented with a wealth of information, but we also got to see various wings first-hand as we embarked on an extremely informative tour led by volunteers Joe and Marcia Sands. Concluding with a description of medicine and its impact to patients by pharmacist Sandy Richardson, the visit to Los Robles left us with a richer understanding of the hospital’s functions, as well as a deeper appreciation for the work that physicians and health professionals do for our lives. 

 

Story by Gilbert Bao.