May 2, 2025

REMINDER: YOUR SUBMISSIONS ARE ENCOURAGED

Overview for this week.

1. I'm starting the week with an addition to the Summer Camp Guide that I posted two weeks ago; this week, I want to highlight YMCA swim lessons and summer camps.

2. This week in Birds, the Flock examines an effort in the Pacific Northwest to provide habitat for the purple martin.

3. In Bragging Rights this week, I'm bragging about my Paloma Doves tennis teammate Nita's two talented children, Nik and Natasha.

4. I have a new section this week called Flock Friends, where I'll post pictures sent in by Flock readers.

5. I have an update on what the University of Arizona's School Garden Workshop program has been up to as they guide young student gardeners through transitioning from a warm, bountiful spring to Tucson's hot, arid summer months.

6. In Triathlons, beginning in 2026, the Ironman World Championship is returning to its original home in Kailua-Kona, with its format of men and women competing on the same day.

7. In Fitness, an 82-year-old grandma set the World Record for holding an abdominal plank just two years after deciding to get into shape, proving that you are never too old to improve your fitness.

8. One of the Flock's most consistent contributors, our insightful life guide, Dr. Hayward M. Fox, has been involved in an accident that left him with some broken bones. As he is on the mend, I am asking readers of the Flock to keep him in your thoughts and send positive healing energy his way.

9. I have some wise words thought to have been penned by Pope Francis that have been circulating on social media since his passing. There is some controversy as to whether this letter is correctly attributed to Pope Francis or not. Regardless, these words hold great wisdom.

10. I'm finishing this week's newsletter with a personal final thought that I want to pass on to Flock readers.

Now, to this week's Flock.

The YMCA was the first national organization to develop a structured program to provide children with water safety and swimming instruction. While swim classes at the YMCA are a great summer activity for kids, the Y offers more than just that. YMCA Summer Camps are also an excellent resource for parents. The Y provides a variety of youth summer camps across the country, including day and overnight camps, specialty camps, and even camps for the whole family—all with consistent supervision and standards set by the national organization.

From: YMCA

From oceans to lakes to streams to swimming pools, water is everywhere: 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered in it! And while water can be an irresistible place for kids to explore, play and enjoy splashy fun, it can be risky for those who haven’t yet developed their water smarts. 

America's most trusted swim instructor, the YMCA helps kids (and adults) of all ages, abilities and backgrounds develop skills they need to become strong, confident swimmers.

From: YMCA Camp Programs

A Variety of Camp Options

Day Camp

Day camp at the Y is led by experienced staff and offers nearly all the benefits of overnight camp – new outdoor experiences, skill–building and lasting friendships – in rural, urban and suburban settings, while allowing campers to return home each afternoon.

Overnight Camp

Located in picturesque settings across the country, Y overnight camp experiences can stretch from one weekend to an entire season and are led by a dedicated team of staff who ensure campers enjoy outdoor adventures and new friendships that last a lifetime.

Family Camp

Y family camps give families the chance to bond while experiencing everything that Y camps have to offer. Spending time together in beautiful surroundings, exploring new adventures and forming friendships with other families lead to memories that will last a lifetime.

Specialty Camp

Y specialty camps offer programming for specific interests, including teen adventure, music, sports, cooking and more. The Y also offers camp programs designed for medical and mental health challenges or other special needs so kids of all abilities and circumstances can enjoy the ultimate camp experience.

Purple martins are social birds that prefer to roost in groups around water. They help keep insect populations down by acrobatically snapping up flying insects. They are most common in the Eastern US and along the West Coast. In New England, it is common to see 'Martin Houses', multi-story birdhouses meant for a small community of purple martins. The story below details efforts to restore purple martin habit in Washington's Puget Sound.

Rehoming Seattle’s Purple Martins

Washington State balances critical coastal remediation projects with conserving a beloved, vulnerable bird

From: Sierra, By: Rebecca Dzombak, April 30, 2025

It was an overcast morning in April 2024, and Seattle’s purple martins were due to arrive. Kimberle Stark, clad in rain gear, rubber boots, and gloves, stood in the frigid waters of Washington’s Puget Sound, submerging the hollowed-out gourds these swallows call home. Clumps of last year’s nesting material, broken eggshells, and a few chicks that hadn’t made it splashed out. Then vigorous scrubbing commenced. “We find some funny things in these,” Stark said, working quickly to beat the rising tide. “Shiny things, like crows collect. And sometimes they use plants with huge thorns—weird choice.”

Stark is a marine biologist by trade who, as a citizen scientist in her spare time, has helped lead Seattle-area purple martin conservation efforts for 21 years. Purple martin populations have dwindled across North America as settlers and modern development have in various ways threatened their natural habitat: For the western purple martin subspecies in the Pacific Northwest, that means dead trees (snags) close to water. Today the birds are almost entirely dependent on human-provided housing, such as the gourds and nest boxes Stark and a team of dedicated volunteers maintain.

A volunteer removes the previous year’s gourds from pilings near Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle. | Photo by Rebecca Dzombak

The pilings that so often provide ideal nesting spots are also old and coated in creosote, a tarlike wood-preserving substance that leaches contaminants into the water. Since the early 2000s, the state has been steadily removing them in shoreline remediation projects. And with them go the nesting gourds. “I understand the need to remove the pilings,” Stark said. But when purple martins lose nesting sites, “it just sucks.”

leader of purple martin conservation who helped organize the spring cleaning. The volunteers’ goal for the birds is one Seattleites have for themselves: “Get as much housing up as we can,” Power said. The birds’ reliance on artificial habitat is one of the main reasons they are listed as a “species of greatest conservation need” in Washington.

My Paloma Doves tennis teammate Nita's two young children, Nik and Natasha, are quite the artists and scholars!

Nik is seven years old and in the first grade. He enjoys creating art and playing chess. Natasha is eleven and enjoys Mrs. Fouts' fifth-grade art class and reading books.

Here's a drawing of Nik's from his first-grade art class.

Here's another of Nik's that I think shows a real talent for abstract expressionism.

Nik's school recently competed in a statewide division K-1 chess tournament. His class placed 2nd in and Nik finished 4th in the individual competition! Way to go Nik! 

Natasha's mixed-media Monster Eye from Mrs. Fouts fifth-grade art class.

Here, Natasha displays the certificate she earned for reading 40 books in 10 genres this school year. Congratulations Natasha!

Queen Bindu's granddaughters Janaki and Nithya enjoying Easter.

This first photo post to my new section, Flock Friends, comes from a Flock reader, sometime contributor, dear friend, and my advisor on all things Hindu, Queen Bindu. Please submit photos that you would like included in the Flock using this link.

I first featured the University of Arizona's School Garden Workshop in September 2022. The program introduces K-12 students in Tucson's public schools to STEM learning labs, practical concepts of sustainability, food systems, and the role of agriculture in regional culture through gardening. I recently received an update from the workshop director, Moses Thompson, on some students' activities this spring. In celebration of National Food Waste Prevention Week, over 4,000 students participated in various composting efforts, making the most out of cafeteria waste and redirecting plastics toward recycling pathways instead of landfills. Students also participated in an ecologically themed art show presenting mixed media, digital, print, and naturally dyed textiles.

From: The University of Arizona

About the School Garden Workshop

School gardens can be powerful educational tools. They enable teachers to tap into their students’ energy and curiosity through integrating active, hands-on lessons in conventional academic subjects, like math, science, and language arts. At the same time, school gardens help teachers introduce students to important ‘real world’ applications of what they learn in the classroom, such as the dynamics of local ecologies, the science of sustainability, and the political and cultural aspects of our food choices. Equally important as conventional and practice-based learning spaces, school gardens foster cooperation, autonomy and social justice.

The University of Arizona’s School Garden Workshop (SGW) harnesses this pedagogical potential by placing undergraduate and graduate students trained in the basics of sustainable agriculture as interns at school gardens in underserved Tucson neighborhoods. The interns support the installation, maintenance, and enhancement of these public gardens, and assist site coordinators, teachers, and K-12 students in the use of these outdoor spaces as extensions of the classroom.

School Garden Workshop

The Ironman World Championship is an important event for my husband and me. Our ties to the Big Island of Hawai'i and this race are strong. Ever since 2023, the Ironman World Championship has been split between Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i, and Nice, France, with men and women competing on different courses on different dates. I am happy to see that in 2026, long-distance triathlon's biggest race will return to its spiritual home in Kailua-Kona, with men and women competing on the same day.

From: Tri247, By: Jonathan Turner, May 1, 2025

After months – if not years – of speculation it has been announced that both the men’s and women’s IRONMAN World Championships will return to Kona, Hawai’i from 2026 onwards – and on the same day again.

The spiritual home of the sport had hosted its most historic and iconic event on the same day in Hawai’i up to and including 2019.

The global COVID pandemic meant there was no event in 2020 and a rescheduled 2021 one was held in St George, Utah. When it returned to Kona in 2022 the men’s and women’s races took place on different days, with the stated aim of giving the women on the Thursday the same stage and coverage as the men on the Saturday.

However it proved unsustainable for the island and a decision was made to split the venues between Kona and Nice for the next four years, starting with the women in Kona in 2023 and the men in Nice – and alternating after that.

But that experiment will stop a year early following today’s news, with IRONMAN saying athlete feedback was crucial – especially from age-groupers who race their own World Championships at the same time as the professionals.

Last month, an 82-year-old grandmother set a new World Record for holding an abdominal plank. Motivated by the desire to become more flexible and comfortable playing on the floor with her grandkids, persistence and the help of a personal trainer delivered her a World Record after just two years of training.

From: Guiness World Records, By: Vicki Newman, April 28, 2025

A grandma inspired to get fit by the loss of her beloved husband has made history as the oldest person to perform an abdominal plank.

Sarah Blackman (b. 3 June 1942, USA) was an incredible 82 years and 229 days old when she held the plank position for more than five minutes.

She only had to do three to claim the title.

“My grandson also tries to do planks, fortunately I can still beat him,” she teased.

… Sarah, who has three kids and three grandkids, worked on her planking almost every day and continued to push her limits.

She said that when she’d make it to four minutes, she’d tell herself she could go for just 30 more seconds, and keep telling herself that until she’d given all she could.

… It was also her grandkids who encouraged her fitness journey.

She said: "The youngest is three, which encouraged me to seek out a trainer a few years ago to become more flexible to be able to sit comfortably on the floor and play as I had with the others."

Sarah, who worked as a paediatric cardiology technician and preschool director before giving up her career to be a foster parent, says she’d encourage everyone to exercise as they get older, saying the trick is to get into a routine and stick to it.

The Flock's "go-to life coach" and teacher, Dr. Hayward M. Fox, Ph.D. from The Institute of Personal and Transpersonal Knowledge, had an accident last week. He suffered some broken bones, but his spirit was unharmed, and he is recovering, just not overnight. I have always relied on his calm perspective, insight, and wisdom to overcome life's hurdles. Now, I'm asking all of the Flock to keep Dr. Fox in their thoughts and direct healing energy his way. Dr. Fox's mode has always been patience and acceptance. I am confident that he will recover fully and persevere through this challenge life has presented him with.

I have posted inspirational quotes from life coach, mindfulness consultant, and motivational speaker Annharriet in previous issues of the Flock. One of Annharriet's readers shared this letter attributed to Pope Francis with her. There is some controversy as to whether this letter is correctly attributed to Pope Francis or not. Nonetheless, Abnharriet recognized the wisdom it contained and shared it with me. Now, I am sharing it with you.

"A hospital is a place where human beings remove their masks and show themselves 

as they truly are, in their purest essence.

This life will pass quickly, so do not waste it fighting with people.

Do not criticize your body too much.

Do not complain excessively.

Do not lose sleep over bills.

Make sure to hug your loved ones.

Do not worry too much about keeping the house spotless.

Material goods must be earned by each person—do not dedicate yourself to accumulating 

an inheritance.

You are waiting for too much: Christmas, Friday, next year, when you have money, when love 

arrives, when everything is perfect...

Listen, perfection does not exist.

A human being cannot attain it because we are simply not made to be fulfilled here.

Here, we are given an opportunity to learn.

So, make the most of this trial of life—and do it now.

Respect yourself, respect others. Walk your own path, and let go of the path others have 

chosen for you.

Respect: do not comment, do not judge, do not interfere.

Love more, forgive more, embrace more, live more intensely!

And leave the rest in the hands of the Creator."

— Pope Francis

In the past two weeks, I've lost two dear friends. The loss of a friend, even after a protracted illness, always feels too sudden and final. You yearn to have one more chance to say the things you've always wanted to say. So I want to pass this thought on: Cherish your friendships and let them know how important they are while you can. To all Flock readers, I want you to know that you are cherished, too.

These Flock regulars are always here for you:

Cita Scott for paintings, photography, and culinary art. Cita will be in and out of town all summer. Don't hesitate to give her a jingle. (520) 404-1551

Kimberly Gomer, MS, RD/LDN

Registered and licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist. Find me on my website at KimberlyGomer.com for information about nutrition coaching.

Sarah Smallhouse & Make Elections Fair ArIzona

– Sign the petition here

Sensitive & Specific: The Testing Newsletter by Mara G. Aspinall and Liz Ruark. Mara is always here to help in understanding testing knowledge and how it's being applied.

Kyria Sabin of Fletcher Pilates,

(520) 323-7070

The Fabric Jeanie!

Tap to learn more. 

(520) 245-0589

Linda Collazo, mezzo-soprano

for piano and voice lessons

Andres Valbuena, drum selection, drum basics, and more.

Dr. Hayward M. Fox, Ph.D.

The institute of Personal andTranspersonal Knowledge

Tucson Village Farm:

Vegetaable growing in the summer heat.

The Physio Shop,

Elite physical therapy services and more.

Icebox Cryotherapy,

Icebox Tucson’s unique enhancers allow you to be your best version! 

Nathan Anderson of Catalina Acupuncture

(520) 999-0080

Don't Be Shy: Share Your Stories!

I'm looking forward to sharing more of your personal stories - oral, written, or otherwise, as we enter our third year. I'd so love to present them to The Flock, hit a mailbox below to share your story.

Holualoa Ed Fit Wellness & Culture 2

520-818-4433

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