KNOW YOUR HEART
February is American Heart Month, designated as such to raise awareness about the importance of keeping your heart healthy. That’s because each year, about 715,000 Americans have a heart attack, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and about 600,000 people die annually from heart disease in the United States—one out of every four deaths. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for both men and women (!!) yet it’s completely preventable and controllable! A healthy diet, exercise, quitting smoking and checking your cholesterol are just a few tips from the agency, and it’s offering a new tip each day, all month long. Check them out at cdc.gov, look for related events near you, and please—keep your heart healthy.
EXPRESS YOURSELF
Download Wordeo. The new video-messaging app turns your plain texts into audiovisual poetry by illustrating them with related video clips from—wait for it—Getty Images’ stock video library. Wordeo gives texts emotions that just can’t be fully expressed through emoticons. Well, except for maybe the panda bear emoticon. Learn more at wordeo.com, then Tweet us a Wordeo message @longislandpress #urock
[colored_box color=”red”]TELL SOMEONE YOU LOVE THEM
Why? Why not!? There is no excuse, really, but if you need a few: It’s National Heart Month, Valentine’s Day is this month, and most importantly, you’ll feel better about yourself (and hopefully whoever you tell will feel better about themselves, too) once you do! So just do it already and stop thinking about it, OK? You’re beginning to piss us off.[/colored_box]
WATCH “SKATEBOARDING CAT”
Watch in amazement as Didga, an adorably cute feline who lives in Australia, performs the craziest tricks while zooming around on a remote-controlled skateboard named Ollie. Among other feats, the lil’ fuzz ball hops onto fences, walls, a tree—and even a Rottweiler—before landing perfectly back onboard, cruising around. It’s a must-watch. You’re welcome.
CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH
With its mission of commemorating and celebrating the contributions those of African descent have made to the United States throughout history, February is a time for reflection and appreciation, a time to acknowledge the achievements and struggles those of color waged (check out “Rear View” to learn about the fight for freedom here on LI)—and still must wage to attain total equality. Black History Month’s founders, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, have declared this year’s theme “Civil Rights In America” to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Asalh.org, constitutioncenter.org and http://africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/ are but a few sites to find related events near you.
DOWNLOAD THE CHIHULY APP
Inspired by the gorgeous creations of glass artist Dale Chihuly, it transforms your iPhone and iPad into a glassblowing kit, enabling you to craft, shape and sculpt beautiful virtually blown glass works by literally blowing into your device’s microphone and then using your fingertips to further manipulate your creations. Then, you can share them across social media outlets, and Tweet your Chihuly to us @longislandpress!
Sky Zone Deer Park—the largest indoor trampoline park on LI—recently opened near the Tanger Outlet Mall, enabling guests to play dodgeball, volleyball, basketball and a ton of other activities while completely airborne, floating high above the mats, hurling toward the heavens as if transformed into a hopping, aeronautical marsupial! Check it out: skyzone.com.
HELP END CYSTIC FIBROSIS—WHILE ROCKING OUT
The chronic disease affects the lungs and digestive systems of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States and 70,000 worldwide, leading to life-threatening lung infections and pancreatic obstructions that prevent the body from absorbing food. Advances in research and treatment have extended lives, but much more has to be done before this dreaded disease is eradicated once and for all. How can you help? Simply head down to Mr. Beery’s, at 4019 Hempstead Turnpike in Bethpage, on Feb. 16 for its 18th Annual Band Battle—all proceeds go to helping The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation—and rock out to 25 (!!) stellar bands playing from noon till near-dawn while sampling delicious beers, foods and winning prizes! For more details, go to mrbeerys.com or check out “Do This.” Together, we can do this!
The U.S. is sending the largest delegation of athletes from any single country ever in the history of the Winter Games to Sochi, Russia to compete Feb. 7 through 23—and four of them are from Long Island. Learn who and in what competitions in this month’s “4 Corners.”
