Gennaro Hosts Bowling Tournament For Seniors

Gennaro congratulates Martin Schwartzbaum of the Hillcrest Senior Center, the winner of the Nintendo Wii Bowling tournament. Also looking on are (l. to r.) Erlinda Holjia, Program Coordinator Lester Szymanski, two other members of the Center, Case Manager Patricia Pimentel, Patrick De La Paz and Schwartzbaum's wife, Florinda. Schwartzbaum received a gift certificate for dinner for four at Annam Brahma, a nearby vegetarian restaurant that focuses on healthy living through food and exercise.

City Councilmember James Gennaro (DFresh Meadows) hosted a Nintendo Wii Bowling Tournament at the Hillcrest Senior Center in Jamaica February 22 to highlight the Healthy Aging Initiative, which encourages seniors to eat healthier and exercise more through a variety of highly physical and interactive programs like the cutting-edge Wii.

"At a time when many senior centers are faced with budget cuts and even the threat of closure, it's important that we remind people how impor- tant these institutions are for the health and happiness of our elders," Gennaro said. "The funds I'm giving the Hillcrest Senior Center for its Healthy Aging Initiative will be used to promote good eating and exercise to keep bodies healthy and minds sharp. Today's Wii Bowling tournament is just one example among many of the great things we're doing here."

The Senior Center, formally known as Hillcrest Older Adult Services, lost much of its daily programming last year because of budget strains. Gennaro stepped in to allocate $30,000 for a year-long Healthy Aging Initiative that not only restored the canceled activities but added some new and innovative amenities, such as two multimedia computers and the popular motion-sensitive video game system in a new recreational room. Free programs now available through the Healthy Aging Initiative include Wii virtual reality bowling, tennis, golf, baseball and boxing; weight training; music therapy; dancing; tai chi, and nutritional education.