WOW! Working on Wellness

C I T Y O F G R A N D P R A I R I E W E L L N E S S N E W S L E T T E R N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 6

Costume Contest Winners!

Employee Awards BanquetThis is your chance to nominate fellow

employees, supervisors, managers, and/or groups for recognition at the Annual Employee Awards Banquet. Fill out the 2016 Annual Nomination Form by 5 p.m. Nov. 9 (see http://ravingfans for more info).

Mark your calendar for the Annual Employee Awards Banquet on Monday, Dec. 12, when all award nominees (and “years of service” award recipients) will be honored.

Banquet tickets go on sale starting Nov. 17! Buy early for the best price.

Price When Where

Tickets $3 each Nov. 17 – Dec. 5 Any city ticket seller location*

Tickets $5 each Dec. 6 – Dec. 9 Human Resources Department

Tickets $10 Dec. 12 at the door (Ruthe Jackson Center)

*Ticket Sellers:Karen Beich - Development Center Angel Munoz - Equipment Service CenterGloria Rodriguez - PSB (Fire)JoAnn Lafon - HousingAngela Pardue - Human ResourcesAngie Wyatt - Library

Monday, DeceMber 12, 2016Dinner & awards

Theme: a cozy HoliDay

atTire: your besT flannel (or business casual]

$3 Tickets on sale sTarting nov. 17.

you’re inviTeD to tHe

2016

Employee AwardsBanquet

CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS

Damaris Juarez - City HallAnnette Deleon - Municipal CourtMary Cerda - Parks, Arts & Rec.Melinda Rodriguez - PSB (Police) Marysol Alagenchev - Water Utilities

Congrat-ulations to the winners of the 2016 Halloween Costume Contest! Cartoon Category: Jordin Black-lock (Parks, Arts, & Rec) as Minnie Mouse Free Form: Rachel Mendoza (Budget) as Construction Worker Movie, TV: Anastasia Gradney, Alyssa Heep, Paul Suchey, and Mark Beseda (Police) as Wizard of Oz Retro: LaDonna Stevenson (Housing) as 80’s HipHop Woman Themed Group: Lisa Norris, Ashley Land, Steve Cates, Beatriz Juarez, Billy Moore, and Rhea Junkin (Human Re-sources) Department as superHeRoes Zombies and Other Monsters: Allix Reich (Animal Services) as Skeleton Best in Show: Amy Sprinkles, Cami McKillop, Whitney Thames, Damaris Juarez, and Lindsey Wheeler (Market-ing) as In N Out Servers Funniest: Cathy Le (Library) as Mulan Matchmaker

WOW! Working on Wellness

Wellness/News

New Development Coming to Grand Prairie

While researchers have long asserted a strong link between alcohol and cancer, some are now doubling down on that claim. In the journal Addiction, Jennie Connor, a professor at the University of Otago in New Zealand, concludes that alcohol “causes cancer” in seven areas in the body, including the liver, colon and female breast. Based on years of data, the review is in line with the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which found that even light drinking, defined as consuming fewer than two drinks a day, can increase a woman’s breast cancer risk, in part because alcohol boosts hormones. Most doctors agree that women should limit drinking to 5 oz of wine, 12 oz of beer, or 1.5 oz of liquor per day. Prevention

Farmers Market

The Grand Prairie Farmers Market is open 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturdays. The market features locally grown fruits and vegetables, meats, honey, pasta, spices, tamales, candles, soaps and more. Visit gptx.org/farmersmarket

Saturday, Nov. 5- Fall FunSaturday, Nov. 12 - Fall FunSaturday, Nov. 19 - Fall FunSaturday, Nov. 26 - Market ClosedSaturday, Dec. 3 - Empty Bowls

fundraiserSaturday, Dec. 10 - Holiday Gift

MarketSaturday, Dec. 17 - Holiday Gift

Market - Closing Day 2016

Swedish home furnishings retailer IKEA is building a 293,000-square-foot store east of SH 161 at Mayfield Road, north of Interstate 20. Opening is scheduled for fall 2017

Construction is underway on a new FnG Eats Restaurant on Main Street downtown. The new 5,300-square-foot restaurant will open in the former Fire Station No. 1 with indoor seating for 150 and covered outdoor seating for 70. Opening is scheduled for spring 2017.

Panera Bread, Starbucks and R-Taco will open new locations on the southeast corner of South Carrier and Westchase Drive in early 2017.

A new Whataburger restaurant will open in spring 2017 on Belt Line and Interstate 30, just east of QT.

El Pollo Loco is building a 2,899-square-foot restaurant on 2125 North State Highway 360, just south of the new Dairy Queen.

Pollo Regio will construct a new restaurant between Family Dollar and O’Reilly on the east side of South Carrier Parkway.

Waffle House plans to open a new restaurant in early 2017 north of Pioneer Parkway and east of Belt Line road next to Burger King.

Building is in progress on a new Walmart store east of State Highway 161 between Arkansas Lane and Pioneer Parkway. Scheduled to be complete in late spring 2017, it will include a grocery store, retail, fueling station and automotive center. The city expects restaurant development in the near future on the 11 outlots near the store.

Family Dollar is building a new store on the southeast corner of Belt Line and Marshall.

A new 6,950-square-foot First Choice Emergency Room on the southwest corner of Jefferson and South Carrier Parkway is scheduled to be complete in 2017.

Methodist Convenient Care will construct a new 45,700-square-foot medical clinic with urgent care, diagnostic imaging, physical therapy and physician offices on Lake Ridge and Polo.

Hilton Tru will build a new 98-room hotel on the east side of State Highway 360 North, just south of Avenue K.

Hyatt Place is constructing a new 100-room hotel at 2300 Interstate 20.A new 91-room Comfort Suites will be constructed at 702 Paddock Way.

Rethinking Drinking

Prairie LightsRun/Walk/Cycle

Lynn Creek Park5610 Lake Ridge Parkway

Be the first to see all new displays at the 2016 Prairie Lights.

Sneak-a-Peek Run - run, jog or fast walk with chip times.Saturday, Nov. 19, 6:30 p.m.prairielights.org/sneak-a-peek-5k

Sneak-a-Peek Walk - walk, stroll, festive costumes and strollersSunday, Nov. 20, 6:30 p.m.prairielights.org/sneak-a-peek-5k

Sneak-a-Peek Cyclin’ with the Mayor - bring your own bike and helmet to cycle with Mayor Ron Jensen. Meet at the Get Fit GP tent for this free event.Monday, Nov. 21, 6:30 p.m.gptx.org/GetFitGP

More than half of migraine sufferers don't get a proper diagnosis. Learn to recognize the signs so you can get the right care.

WOW! Working on Wellness

Wellness/News

Candle ScandalNo aroma says autumn like

pumpkin pie. But if the fragrance emanates from your mantel, not your oven, you might be smelling trouble. Heavily scented candles can release limonene, a chemical that reacts with ozone to create formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. And if a candle contains paraffin, a petroleum derivative, it may emit other chemicals that have been linked to cancer, as well as soot, which can irritate lungs. While no candle is without health risks (even unscented petroleum-free picks release some soot), 100% beeswax candles contain no chemicals. But they do have a subtle honey scent, supplied gratis by the bees. Prevention

Potatoes - What's the Diff?

White potatoes and colorful ones are all loaded with B6 and potassium. But purple signals anthocyanins, good for blood pressure and immunity. Red means carotenoids for sharp eyesight. White ones are high in vitamin C. So eat ‘em all—skins on for fiber, of course. Men's Health

Is it a Migraine?

NoneWarning

Signs

Most often while you're awake

When it Strikes

Usually comes on suddenly, although may also have migraine-like signs.

Pain Scale

Mild to moderate ache that feels like a too-tight headband.

Where it hurts

All over your head

Other Symptoms

None

Family Circle

Tension Headache Migraine Cluster Headache

Fatigue; irritability; flashes of light;

Any time, day or night

Typically in the middle of the night or during naps

Moderate to severe throbbing pain

Excruciating pain. Cluster headaches are often referred to as “suicide headaches.”

More likely to beone-sided

Generally in or around one eye, but may radiate to face, head, neck and shoulders

Nausea, vomiting, light and noise sensitivity visual disturbances

The eye on the affected side may become red, tear and droop; a stuffy or runny nose on that side is also common. Many people experience a flushed or sweating face.

Sleep on ItThe next time you’ve got a big decision to make, go to

bed—odds are, you’ll have a better answer when you wake up.Scientists at the University of Bristol implanted electrodes

in the brains of male rats. After recovering from the surgery, they (the rats, not the scientists) alternated sleeping, resting, and roaming free while scientists tracked what info they’d kept or dumped while asleep. They (again-and much to their chagrin-the rats, not the scientists) were then euthanized and their brains probed.

The takeway: During sleep, the brain swiftly sorts the day’s experiences and files the meaningful ones into memory, essentially “decluttering” the mind and allowing it to focus better on what’s important-like making crucial decisions. Men’s Fitness Healthy and Balanced

Physical Body Tips1. Healthy diet and nutrition2. Get adequate rest3. Stay focused in the present

moment4. Just do it! Exercise5. Mental exercise and

stimulation6. Meditate7. Surround yourself with a

great support system (family, friends)

8. Laugh often9. Keep your thoughts positive10. Deal with your emotions. Do

not stifle them

WOW! Working on Wellness

Tom HartCity Manager

Message from the Manager

As city employees, we work in the service industry. It’s easier to provide excellent service if we truly care in our hearts about what the customer needs. This display of compassion to our customers can go a long way--ultimately creating a raving fan. As humans, we all need to feel that we are important and what we do, think and say truly matters. By providing world class customer service and following it up with kind words and letting a customer know that you care, you are giving them what they need and more. In his book, Raving Fans, Sheldon Bowles calls this extra special, caring treatment a “symbolic hug.” It may be just taking time to listen to the customer’s situation and going above and beyond to help them, or as simple as learning the customer’s name and calling them by name if appropriate. Thank you all for the extra special care you provide to our customers. I receive letters and emails showing that we are creating raving fans every day.

On another note, we have some exciting new commercial development coming to Grand Prairie that you can read about in this newsletter. We expect more retail and restaurants to announce that they are coming soon, especially in the land areas near IKEA and the new Walmart. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

60Minimum

number of minutes you need to walk (briskly!) to offset the negative health

effects of sitting for eight hours. So take an indoor break.

Don't Be at Risk for Alzheimer'sThe diabetes link to cognitive problems is not secret, but the connection

is growing stronger. One of the earliest brain deficits in people at risk for Alzheimer’s is an inability of the nerve cells to use glucose, their main fuel. Scientists are testing exercise, low glycemic-index diets and antidiabetic drugs as preventative approaches to Alzheimer’s. Don’t forget: Get tested for diabetes, and if you have it or are at risk, work with your physician on lifestyle changes. Men’s Health

Guide to Physical ActivityPhysical activity is an important part of your weight

management program. Most weight loss occurs because of decreased calorie intake. Sustained physical activity is most helpful in the prevention of weight regain. In addition, exercise has a benefit of reducing risks of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, beyond that produced by weight reduction alone. Start exercising slowly and gradually increase the intensity. Trying too hard at first can lead to injury.

Common Chores• Washing and waxing a car for 45-60 minutes • Washing windows or floors for 45-60 minutes • Gardening for 30-45 minutes• Pushing a stroller 1.5 miles in 30 minutes• Raking leaves for 30 minutes• Walking 2 miles in 30 minutes (15 min/mile)• Stairwalking for 15 minutes

Sporting Activities• Playing touch football for 45 minutes• Walking 1.75 miles in 35 minutes (20 min/mile)• Bicycling 5 miles in 30 minutes• Dancing fast (social) for 30 minutes• Basketball (playing game) for 15-20 minutes• Bicycling 4 miles in 15 minutes• Jumping rope for 15 minutes• Running 1.5 miles in 15 minutes (10 min/mile)

Your exercise can be done all at one time, or intermittently throughout the day. Activities to get you started could include walking or swimming at a slow pace. You can start out by walking 30 minutes for 3 days a week and build to 45 minutes of more intense walking, at least 5 days a week. With this plan, you can burn 100 to 200 calories more per day. All adults should set a long-term goal to accumulate at least 30 minutes or more of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, and preferably all, days of the week. This regimen can be adapted to other forms of physical activity, but walking is particularly attractive because of its safety and accessibility. Also, try to increase “everyday” activity such as by taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Reducing sedentary time is a good strategy to increase activity by undertaking frequent, less strenuous activities. With time, you may be able to engage in more strenuous activities. Competitive sports, such as tennis and volleyball, can provide an enjoyable form of exercise for many, but care must be taken to avoid injury.