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sou at BEND NOVEMBER 2011 ilt4Yaff SWPhF,V f- L(k{.kF Letter from the Mayor • ' Wellness efforts target employees, youth Dear Friends and Neighbors, rExFOxNCrrvG nxTS cEN i'Ex • • City governments traditionally care for infrastructure,public safety and services from Disney's 2&3 7:30p&2p sney's Beauty and the Beast • • trash pickup to water and sewer.In 2006,the City of South Bend launched a Healthy City • December 10& 11 2p&7p ' campaign to provide free,confidential on-site health screenings to employees.In 2007,the • ' The Nutcracker Ballet presented by Southold • South Bend Parks and Recreation Department became one of the first three cities to : Dance Theater • implement the We CAN! program to reduce childhood obesity. This year in separate • • December 17& 18 8p&3p efforts,our work to improve employee health and the fitness of youth in our community • South Bend Symphony presents "Home for the has reached new heights. : Holidays"with Leon Williams • In 2011 for the first time,employees who actively participate in the health and wellness • « • program are eligible for several benefits--deductions in out-of-pocket health premiums, • AB About Art Lunch&Learn Series free membership o O'Brien Fitness Center and lunch-time educational sessions to height- • November 15 12p-1p P g • Ernestine M.Raclin School of Arts Music en awareness of healthy lifestyles.Among 1,150 employees,nearly 1,000 have health-care . • benefits and more than 900 participate in our enhanced wellness program. These employ- Indiana University South Bend-presentations • ees receive a confidential annual wellness screening or physical exam and complete a • by: Gospel Choir,Flute Ensemble,and health-assessment risk questionnaire.More than 250 employees have • Chamber Choir.� • participated in regular coaching with health professionals and joined O'Brien fitness November 22 12p-Ip programs.Employees are quitting smoking,losing weight,discovering better eating The Art of the Play Presentation by South • habits and becoming more physically active.For participating municipal workers,the • Bend Civic Theatre bottom line is improved quality of life. Two of our employees,Mary Ann Myers and • November 29 12p-1p Brent Hussung,lost a combined 198 pounds since beginning the program and : 26,000 Works ofArt—Presented by Snite • participated in this year's Sunburst Races. a Museum of Art University of Notre Dame • • For Information contact Sue Sohnos at • For the City and taxpayers,the results are evident—getting control of health-care costs, • (574)235-5879 • reducing claims and having a healthier workforce that is more engaged and loses fewer • ' • days to health concerns.At a time when most companies face double-digit annual • South Bend Civic Theatre � increases in health-care costs,the City of South Bend has implemented these positive December 2-18 • changes with no increase in expenses.According to Gibson Insurance and Anthem • A Christmas Carol:Scrooge&Marley • Healthcare,the City offers a state-of-the-art wellness program,ahead of the curve for • ' 's ' many companies.Future plans include online tracking of wellness participation and an • Downtown South Bend First Friday • employee wellness advisory committee. December 2 5-9p • Downtown for the Holidays, including a • But municipal wellness efforts extend beyond our employees. Through South Bend Parks * Special performance from Alligator Blackbird • and Recreation,we have become one of 10 Indiana communities that are working with • at Key Bank Plaza Indiana University and others at a special research effort to reduce obesity among youth, • a es 10 to 14. Studies show that if a child is overweight or obese at this e,the are 80 • g ( g age, Y Center for History • percent more likely to be overweight or obese as an adult.)This also is an age when youth December 4-11 • make independent lifestyle choices.Will they pursue a serious interest in organized • Christmas at Copshaholm-for information ' athletics or drop out of recreational activities altogether? • ' � call(574)235-9664 • The Healthy Communities Research Group(including Indiana University and others)is • ' now completing an assessment of whether park and recreation programs,like ours in • South Bend Parks and Recreation • South Bend,serve as a critical means of reaching at-risk youth and imparting healthy • November 27—Potawatomi Zoo Closes for habits. They anticipate making a public presentation later this year.It is our goal to see the season • South Bend become a healthier community through these efforts. • November 25—Howard Ice Rink opens • Sincerely, • December 21-23&26-30 • ' P.S. Check out what your friends,neighbors and communi • Camp O'Brien:Winter Break Camp ty • business leaders have to say about South Bend's distinctive Children ages 5(already enrolled • advantage as a place to work,play,shop and live: kindergarten)through 12 are invited to Camp O' • www.SoutbBeadON.com Brien for organized sports,games,field trips, • • crafts,and more.Campers most bring their own • • lunch. To register o to www.sb ark.o ' Visit Our Website at www.SouthBendINgov! .' • ' • ' ' ' ' �00000 P00 • • • • •