Now open only every second week.
Check the PGOSA Calendar.
VanIsle Walking Soccer Tourney
The PGOSA VanIsle Walking Soccer group is about to hold its 4th Annual Walking Soccer (WS) Tourney on Saturday March 11th, 2023 at the Arbutus Meadows Arena in Nanoose, BC. The event will start at 11 a.m. and run til around 3:30 p.m.
It will be a packed house as this event and WS continue to grow in Canada and world wide.
Walking Soccer (WS) in Canada started right here in Parksville in March 2016.
WS is one of the fastest growing sports in the world currently... we started here with 8 players in 2016; there are now leagues sprouting up all over Canada. The sport is massive around the world (especially in Europe). In fact, the first WORLD CUP of WS is being held in Derby, England this summer.
And there is now a National WS website allowing all the Canadian groups to interact. www.walkingsoccercanada.ca
Teams are coming to our WS Tournament from the Mainland and the Victoria area to join our players from the Parksville/ Qualicum/ Nanoose area. It will be a packed house with both Competitive and Relaxed levels of play.
We are drawing Community support from the Regional District of Nanaimo, Save-On-Foods, and the Rocking Horse Pub.
And, at the recent BC Senior Games in Victoria, I presented the WS opportunity to the Games Organizers and WS has now been approved as a new sport to begin in 2023 at the Abbotsford Games.
WS is played at Arbutus Meadows during the Fall and Winter seasons; and at the Parksville Community Park through the Spring and Summer months.
This non-contact sport is excellent for aged-out players, those with new/damaged hips and knees and beginners. It is an ideal coed sport which provides a light aerobic workout and it has been hailed by kinesiologists for its benefits to Seniors.
For a full overview of the Game, the Rules, video features etc...just check out our website at vanislewalkingsoccer
If you are interested in becoming a player, please contact me at robjonas13@gmail.com. You must be a PGOSA member to play. Register here.
Thanks, Rob Jonas
Organizer
Board Members
The PGOSA Annual General Meeting is coming up in April – date and time to be announced in the next newsletter. Those members who expressed an interest with Administration or the PGOSA Board on their 2023 membership form will be contacted in the next couple of weeks.
We are looking for capable members to assist with Board Work – planning, organizing, coordinating, and communicating are the key aspects of the PGOSA Board. Think about it and if you indicated a willingness to help you will be contacted during the next couple of weeks to see if your interest is still alive. Without a strong Board of Directors what we have with PGOSA will slowly dissolve, as it takes volunteers and work to keep everything up and running smoothly.
Social Survey
The social committee will be meeting soon to analyze what the 250 completed surveys have told us regarding PGOSA social activities. At first glance there are no big surprises, with the majority of returns indicating social events are important and need to continue – both large events for all members and that activity specific smaller gatherings are an integral and fun part of the activity.
Stayed tuned for further results and what the social committee is planning for this spring, summer, and fall.
Outdoor Slo-Pitch Registration
Those wanting to play outdoor ball this spring summer can register starting next week – Tuesday to Friday mornings, March 7 to 10th from 9:00 to 11:00 am - at Arbutus Meadows, home of the indoor league. Former outdoor players will have received an email from the executive of the outdoor league with pertinent details.
Membership
Questions about activities can be answered or you will be pointed in the correct direction to get an answer or to get involved in an activity. Can’t make it in on Wednesdays? Online or mail-in options are available any time.
Upcoming dates for the table are: March 15th; April 5th and 19th, from 9:30 to 11:00 am.
PGOSA Table
All memberships expire on December 31. You can always join PGOSA using one of three methods – in person, by mail or online. See below!
• Ages 55 - 79, annual fee is $15
• For those reaching the age of 80, annual fee is $10
• And upon reaching the age of 90, membership is complimentary
All memberships expire on December 31. Check your card to see your membership year.
Use your Membership…..Get involved! Hopefully you didn’t join PGOSA to be a bystander!
Get your membership immediately: In Person. Registration for PGOSA membership is now at Oceanside Place Arena in the front lobby, just beside the entrance door. We are now there every second Wednesday morning – 9:30 to 11:00 am. There may be periodic cancellations due to other events at the Arena. Check the PGOSA calendar.
Get your membership (almost) immediately (within 2 to 3 minutes): Online registration
Wait 10-14 days (depending on Canada Post) for your membership:Mail in registration
Table tennis and Mahjong are now going strong with members enjoying both on Wednesday afternoons. If interested in learning Mahjong (American version) please forward your name to the games coordinator, Jim, as the group has progressed to the point of learning the basics and absorbing a newbie couldmakes it difficult for existing players… unless you just want to watch and find out what the game involves. When we have four or more newbies who want to learn the basics, we will start another group with beginner lessons. Other games played are Crib and Mexican Train.
Canasta is the latest up and coming game at the Bradley Centre - come on out and give it a go! We have a member who will teach us the basics and get a group started. New participants always welcome!
Location: The Studio at the Bradley Center Days: 2nd and 4th Wednesdays.
March 8th and 22nd
April 12th and 26th.
Time: 1:30 to 3:30 pm Fee: $2.00 drop in fee and membership at Bradley Center - $5.00 per year for an annual membership
No advance registration required. Coffee and treats are served!
Questions, or for more information, contact Jim.
FREE Online Technology Workshops via Zoom Fridays at 9:30AM
Friday, March 3 – Android Basics and Features.
If you have a phone or tablet running on the Android operating system but you’re not confident on how to use it effectively to do things like texting, email or listening to music, this workshop will be helpful to you. Learn the basics of getting the most out of the core functions on your Android phone or tablet and get further information and resources to continue learning more on your own.
Friday, March 10 – Google Docs Editor.
If you have a Google account then you have access to the free Google Docs Editors suite, consisting of the Docs word processor, Sheets spreadsheet, and Slides presentation builder. Join us as we look at the main features of these applications, including how to access the apps on PCs, Macs, Android and iOS, how to open, save and share files, basic editing functions, and how the files you create can work with other (free) Google apps. Time permitting, we will also review (but not investigate) some of the alternatives to these Google apps, both free and paid, that you may want to investigate on your own.
Friday, March 17 – Buying a new Smart Phone.
Thinking of purchasing a new smart phone but don’t know where to start? Find out more about different models of smart phone and what might work best for you. From more affordable devices to looking at cell plan providers, get a starting point and some additional information for making your choices.
View and register for workshops online at www.oblt.ca/calendar or phone 250-947-8258 and leave your contact information.
The Technology Learning Centre will be temporarily closed from
March 18 – April 3/2023 for spring break
55+ BC Games
The 55+ BC Games Zone 2 is looking to recruit an “Area 2 Representative” covering the Nanoose Bay-Parksville-Qualicum Beach-Bowser area.
It’s a volunteer position whose duties include promotion and publicity of the 55+ BC Games in our PQB area by distributing posters +/- brochures at various locations and working with the Communications Committee for the publication of articles in the Parksville Qualicum Beach News, including the medal results of our local Area 2 participants.
This is a great opportunity to get involved with a fun group of volunteers who organize all aspects of the games for our Zone 2, which extends from Ladysmith to the north tip of Vancouver Island and includes Powell River.
Please contact zone2info@55plusbcgames.org for more information.
As a physiotherapist, I often help patients with knee arthritis manage their symptoms at home. In the mild moderate stages knee arthritis (OA) is very manageable and much can be done away from the clinic to help stay one remain strong, mobile, and experience less pain! 4 of these
proven ways to reduce pain and improve joint function are:
1. Exercise regularly with low-impact activities like cycling, swimming, and water aerobics, and strengthen the muscles around the knee.
2. Use heat or cold therapy: Ice application is better for acute pain and inflammation. Heat is better for lower grade pain and stiffness.
3. Maintain a healthy weight to reduce stress on the knee joint. Every one pound (on or off) the scale equates to 3.75lbs of pressure to the knee. So gaining or losing 10 lbs of body mass is interpreted by your knee’s actually feels like 75lbs (37.5lbs per side).
4. Use assistive devices such as fitted knee braces/compressive sleeves to improve stability. Before commencing any at home regimen or interventions it is advisable to connect with a healthcare provider such as your family Doctor or Physiotherapist to determine what is most appropriate (and safe) for you. Have a question or a topic of interest related to an injury or physiotherapy? Fire me an email anytime at: jake@advanced-healthclinic.com
Yours in Heath:
Jake Lussier, MPT, Registered Physiotherapist
Seamanship & Trip Planning Course
Adventuress Sea Kayaking is offering, at a discounted price for PGOSA members, the Seamanship & Trip Planning Course for Paddlers in March 2023.
It is taught by Jan Kretz, PGOSA member, owner of Adventuress based in Nanoose, a Paddle Canada instructor, and a certified sea kayak guide. If you have ever wanted to learn more about weather, navigation, tide & currents, chart reading, and trip planning, this is the course for you! Especially geared for kayakers, this 15 hour course, taught over 5 weeks, will enable you to assess weather conditions, understand a marine radio broadcast, read your chart, calculate tides and currents, use a compass, take a bearing, and plan a paddling trip. It is an in-depth and great foundation course for those wanting to learn more, be better and safer kayakers, plan a trip, enjoy themselves and meet other paddlers. This course brings the paddling world into focus and all the many decisions you need to make to ensure you stay safe and see new places. As well, your confidence level in your abilities begin to increase and you can plan an exciting trip on your own, and join others with your new found knowledge.
It is being held in Nanaimo at the Oliver Woods Recreation Centre on 5 Wednesday evenings... March 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29 2023 from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Adventuress is offering a substantial discount to the PGOSA members. The regular price is $199, but for PGOSA members, it is only $139 plus gst. Email Jan to reserve and for the registration information package.
Trip Planning 101 for Paddlers
Friend of PGOSA Adventuress Sea Kayaking has a great course that she is offering online to PGOSAns at a discount. Online courses - the 2023 way of doing things!
If you would like to take an overnight canoe or kayak trip, but don't know how to start planning one, this course is for you!
This course is especially geared for new paddlers or for those who want a refresher. You will learn the many things to consider when planning a day or an overnight trip. Come join fellow kayakers online to learn, share and discuss planning a local overnight or day trip. Get ready now so you can take that trip this summer!
By the end of the course you will learn: Pre-trip planning, introduction to weather, charts, tides & currents and navigation; how to plan a paddling route and camping destination, how to pack and outfit your boat for safety and comfort, what gear to bring, how to be a green camper, safety and emergency protocols, local areas where you can camp and enjoy beginner overnight and day trips. You also have the option of planning a day or overnight trip to be discussed in class.
Dates: 2 Saturdays, April 1 & 8th, 2023
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Where: On Zoom, an online teleconferencing easy-to-use software (can be downloaded for free)
Cost: $79.00 but for PGOSA members only $59.00 (plus gst). Includes resource and checklist hand-out.
Additional supplies may be required. To register and for more information and a course outline, contact Jan Kretz at adventuress@shaw.ca or call 250.755.6702.
The list of Friends of PGOSA is growing!
They include restaurants, car maintenance and repair service, computer training, banking, veterinary services, and bicycles (and bike gear).
Remember to show your card. Most offers may not be combined with other coupons or discounts. Check the PGOSA Friends page for terms and conditions.
Activities: Health, Fitness and Sports
Advanced Health + Sports Clinic Physiotherapy – 10% discount on exercise equipment (bands, pulleys, ankle weights etc), $5.00 discount off all initial assessments for members and "front-of-the-line" access to urgent-care treatment blocks on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Contact the clinic directly to book.
VanIsle Walking Soccer Tourney
Board Members
Social Survey
Outdoor Slo-Pitch Registration
Canasta is the latest up and coming game at the Bradley Centre - come on out and give it a go! We have a member who will teach us the basics and get a group started. New participants always welcome!
55+ BC Games
3. Maintain a healthy weight to reduce stress on the knee joint. Every one pound (on or off) the scale equates to 3.75lbs of pressure to the knee. So gaining or losing 10 lbs of body mass is interpreted by your knee’s actually feels like 75lbs (37.5lbs per side).
