A Postcard-Perfect Evening

This past Saturday 200 guests helped us raise money for some of the 90,000 San Diego County families affected by Alzheimer's and other dementia at our annual signature event, "Postcards from the Pacific: Oceans of Memories." This year was a bit different in that we moved outdoors to the Scripps Seaside Forum in La Jolla. A more beautiful venue there isn't.

We've put up a slideshow on our Special Events page. Thanks to our sponsors, auction donors and many volunteers, not to mention the generosity of all those attendees who made the evening a memorable event.

Jan's Story

We're in the thick of things with our big event, "Postcards from the Pacific," taking place on Saturday evening in La Jolla.

Here, though, is a touching tale of a successful journalist with early-onset Alzheimer's disease that was first broadcast last weekend on the CBS Sunday Morning program. It's called "Jan's Story: Love and Early-Onset Alzheimer's." Guarantee you'll love it!

Here's a direct link to the video segment.

Where's the Science Behind The Advice?

One of the most talked-about news reports is this week's online piece from Time magazine on the lack of scientific evidence to support the advice dispensed by medical doctors to their Alzheimer's patients. In particular, the "use it or lose it" mantra may not have as powerful a pull as once believed.

"Data has associated behaviors such as keeping the mind actively engaged throughout life, staying physically active, eating certain foods and supplementing the diet with specific vitamins and nutrients with lower rates of dementia in old age," according to the article. "Now researchers at Duke University report in the current issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine that the data on the preventive effects of lifestyle factors is not as strong as they had thought."

The researchers found no specific activity or factor to help slow the disease. However, that doesn't mean there aren't other health benefits to continuing to exercise both the body and the brain. "These behaviors are known to benefit health in many other ways, namely lowering the risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease and improving mood. And longer-term studies currently under way may eventually provide stronger scientific evidence to show they help prevent dementia and Alzheimer's disease as well."

Time.com: Alzheimer's Study: Evidence Slim on Preventative Advice

Scrabble Spells G-O-O-D T-I-M-E-S

Each Tuesday and Thursday afternoon a group of men and women at the Glenner Center in Encinitas gathers together for a good game of Scrabble. They bring their dictionaries and their good humor as they help one another create common and sometimes colorful words with tiles.

They are both dedicated to the game and to each other. If one of the regulars is absent, the group won't play that day. Newcomers are allowed to join in as space permits and an audience is always appreciated.

When asked why everyone enjoys Scrabble so much, one participant responded nonchalantly, "It does the brain good, honey. You should try it."

She's right. Here are a few online articles we found showing how board games, and Scrabble in particular, is great for Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers.

Board Games for Mental Exercise -- Scrabble and Alzheimer's

Prevent Alzheimer's -- Play Scrabble

Brain Games for Alzheimer's

The Three Amigos

John C., Jesus S., and John S. call themselves "The Three Amigos."

We've been visiting our centers to talk to participants about their favorite beach memories. This morning we were at the South Bay Center in Chula Vista, reminiscing with three jovial gentlemen who call themselves "The Three Amigos." John C. was career Navy and spent many years at sea. Jesus S. signed up at 17 for the U.S. Marines Reserve. He told of how his father became acquainted with legendary Mexican bandit Pancho Villa. And John S. had a colorful career as a U.S. Marine Corps officer and later as an educator.

By the way, Jesus's arm is in a sling because he hurt it doing yoga. "An hour, it turns out, is too much," he joked.

Alzheimer's Around the World

We wanted to draw some attention to excellent reporting by the New York Times on the impact of Alzheimer's disease around the world. This week, one of the most popular pieces on the newspaper's Web site is about a Columbian family hit hard by the disease.

Alzheimer's Stalks an Extended Family in Columbia

Really powerful story, well told in both words and photos. This is part of a new series called "The Vanishing Mind" being done by Times staff.

Also part of the new series is a debate among geriatric experts: When Boomers Get Dementia

For the narrative on the Columbian family and more information on the series, go here.

So Many Postcards, So Little Time

Our big event is now just around the corner and we wanted to make sure everyone knows about it. This year we decided on something a little different from your typical fundraiser and selected the ultra scenic Scripps Forum in La Jolla for our soiree, "Postcards from the Pacific: Oceans of Memories."

'Postcards from the Pacific'
6 to 10 p.m.
Saturday, June 26
Scripps Seaside Forum
near La Jolla Shores

Tickets are $150 for the main event and $200 for those who wish to also attend a V.I.P. reception from 5:30 to 6:30. You can contact us at information@glenner.org or call 619-543-4700 to order yours.

Not only will your support help us continue to provide much-needed programs for thousands of San Diego families impacted by Alzheimer's and other memory-impairment diseases, but we promise you'll have a grand time in the process. We have a variety of entertainment to suit every taste. Speaking of which, wait until you indulge in the gourmet food served on platters and at food stations! From the opening complimentary champagne toast to the last notes of San Diego's Breezin' band, we promise to make this an evening you'll remember for a long, long time.