Monthly Archives: October 2017
Coronado Club – October 25, 2017
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Optimists of Carlsbad – October 28, 2017
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El Cajon Optimist Bulletin – October, 2017
The Physiology of Optimism

In a recent study, Chinese psychologists found out that hope protects the brain against anxiety and expanded our understanding of how that may be happening. Because hope is considered a stable personality trait, they reasoned, they might be able to figure out where in the brain they can find hope functioning. They were able not only to pinpoint where hope might potentially reside within the brain, but realized how hope may be shielding the brain from the effects of anxiety.
The scientists defined hope as an important topic in positive psychology, referring to an individual’s “goal-oriented expectations” that include both agency (desire to achieve goals) and pathways (finding ways to achieve them).
The researchers used fMRI imaging on 231 high school students from Chengdu, China who were tested according to questionnaires using the DHS hope scale and the Stait-Trait Anxiety test.
This article is part of The Hope and Optimism initiative. Explore the theoretical, empirical, and practical dimensions of hope, optimism, and related states: — Why Hopefulness Is a Greater Predictor of Academic Success than Intelligence
The scientists analyzed the data using the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) approach. They found that the presence of the hope trait was related to lower fALFF values in the bilateral medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC) area of the brain. That is the region involved in reward-related procession, the production of motivation, solving problems and goal-oriented behavior, according to the scientists.
The orbitofrontal cortex is located just above the orbits of the eyes and goes back several centimeters into the frontal base of the brain. The scientists discovered that the hope trait worked as a “mediator” between mOFC activity and anxiety.
“Overall, this study provides the first evidence for functional brain substrates underlying trait hope and reveals a potential mechanism that trait hope mediates the protective role of spontaneous brain activity against anxiety,” write the researchers.
Orbitofrontal Cortex. Credit: Paul Wicks, Wikipedia
This is the first evidence that hope may have a physical presence in the brain, but the relationship between hope and anxiety has been established in a number of previous studies. A 2002 University of Kansas study, led by C.R. Snyder, looked at the role hope plays for students. The researchers found that students low in hope had greater anxiety, primarily from establishing goals that were too overwhelming and hard to achieve.
A 2011 study from Malaysian and Hong Kong scientists showed the link between having greater hope and reduced anxiety and depression in cancer patients. It was not clear, however, whether hope caused less anxiety or people with less anxiety were more hopeful.
Here you can check out the 2017 study that involved researchers from Sichuan University, Southwest University for Nationalities and Chengdu Mental Health Center in Chengdu, China.
The Imperial Beach Optimists Swore In New Officers – from DigImperialBeach.com
The Imperial Beach Optimists Swore In New Officers and Celebrated Another Successful Year at Ice Cream Social Last Tuesday
Oct 08, 2017 08:42PM ● Published by Paul Spear

Gallery: The Imperial Beach Optimists Swore In New Officers and Celebrated Another Successful Year and Handed Out Awards on Tuesday [4 Images] Click any image to expand.
The Imperial Beach Optimists Swore In New Officers and Celebrated Another Successful Year at Ice Cream Social Last Tuesday
The Imperial Beach Optimists Swore in New Officers and Celebrated Another Successful Year as They Honored Members at on Ice Cream Social on Tuesday at Seaside Candy!
The Imperial Beach Optimists held an Ice Cream Social to induct their new coming officers and pass out honors to members last Tuesday at Seaside Candy. Incoming officers included: Raleigh Sanders, Optimist Foundation Representative; Sue Arciaga, new President; Estela Mora, Secretary; and Jean Ordonez, Treasurer. They also honored “Rookie of the Year” Joe Stancer and Eric Syverson, “Optimist of the Year” for Imperial Beach.
The Optimists have been very instrumental in helping children in IB every year and one of their major events every year is sponsoring Kids N Kasles at the Sun and Sea Festival.
The Imperial Beach Optimists meet the first and third Tuesday’s of the month at the Fleet Reserve at 659 Silver Strand Blvd. in Imperial Beach. If you have an interest in becoming a member, stop by a meeting or contact any member.
Photo credit: Teresa Vaca
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Note: If you would like to make sure you don’t miss stories like this or any other news about the community of Imperial Beach and South County, please be sure to sign up for our newsletter. Please note that every subscriber of our newsletter receives a Community Calendar of Events at the 1st of every month. Click here to: Subscribe
Paul Spear, Publisher, and Editor of Dig Imperial Beach

Imperial Beach Optimists – October 17, 2017
MINUTES FOR October 17, 2017
In Attendance: Sue Arciaga, Don Hamilton, Bill Zidbeck, Gaby Henry, Melinda Rose, Laura Patterson, Linda Clarke, Joe Stancer, Virginia Syverson, Barbara Elliott-Sanders GUESTS (soon to be members): Paul Spear, Ben Hazel, Ken Largin Virginia will send membership forms to our three new members.
Meeting called to order by President Sue Arciaga. Sympathy card for Jean Ordonez and family sent around. Optimist Jorge Ordonez passed away last Sunday evening.
Barbara gave the invocation; Bill led the flag salute.
Everyone in attendance introduced themselves. Don has ordered 30 Optimist pins so we can learn each other’s names better.
Ken who does knife making and historical displays would welcome a sign saying his events are sponsored by IB Optimists. He and Virginia will research this.
REMINDER: Dues of $85 for the year (or installment plan amount) are due now. Checks could be sent to Treasurer Jean or given to officers at any time. Jean’s address is: 156 Elm Ave. IB 91932
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- Thanksgiving Food Drive. Eric Syverson will be contacting IB Charter and IB Charter West to arrange their participation. Begin Nov 6; pickup tentatively set for Nov. 17.
- Adopted families: Barbara will contact VIP Village to get info about seven needy families. Bill explained that members make donations for this project; give money or checks to Bill. Bill graciously covers the difference if not enough money is donated. We will decorate food boxes at Bill’s home on Tuesday, Nov. 14.
- CHRISTMAS: From the same member donations, we purchase a special gift for each VIP child in our seven families and also a small gift for each sibling. Families will pick up both the Thanksgiving boxes and Christmas gifts at VIP office.
- White (or blue or green, etc.) Elephant Holiday Party will be at Bill’s home on December 19. Pot luck and singing plus gift exchange.
POSSIBLE FUND RAISERS: Since Little Red Café is no longer in business, we need to find new fund raisers. Sue and Gaby will speak to owner of Big Kahuna where we could earn a percent of dinners. Barbara suggested Sea 180 for its Making Money Mondays. We could also have a basket auction there. Joe will speak with someone about earning money through H & R Block tax prep.
SUN & SEA REPORT: The Festival will be July 14 with Mayor’s breakfast and other events on Friday, July 13. Eric attended the first meeting this week. The day after Sandcastle Saturday will also be a beach concert by the local band, P.O.D., so it will be a full weekend.
SPEAKERS: Sue will set up a calendar for several speakers. We will have Bill talk about his life soon.
ROBERT BURNS NIGHT: Don announced he will host a “Burns Night” event at his home in January (20th?). This will feature the story of Robert Burns, famous Scottish poet.
Meeting adjourned by President Sue with “Promise Yourself” creed. Next meeting: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7.
Respectfully submitted, Virginia Syverson, Sub for Secretary
Carlsbad Club – September 30, 2017
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Optimist Club of Lakewood – 2017
The Imperial Beach Optimists Swore In New Officers and Celebrated Another Successful Year at Ice Cream Social Last Tuesday
Oct 08, 2017 08:42PM ● Published by Paul Spear

Gallery: The Imperial Beach Optimists Swore In New Officers and Celebrated Another Successful Year and Handed Out Awards on Tuesday [4 Images] Click any image to expand.
The Imperial Beach Optimists Swore In New Officers and Celebrated Another Successful Year at Ice Cream Social Last Tuesday
The Imperial Beach Optimists Swore in New Officers and Celebrated Another Successful Year as They Honored Members at on Ice Cream Social on Tuesday at Seaside Candy!
The Imperial Beach Optimists held an Ice Cream Social to induct their new coming officers and pass out honors to members last Tuesday at Seaside Candy. Incoming officers included: Raleigh Sanders, Optimist Foundation Representative; Sue Arciaga, new President; Estela Mora, Secretary; and Jean Ordonez, Treasurer. They also honored “Rookie of the Year” Joe Stancer and Eric Syverson, “Optimist of the Year” for Imperial Beach.
The Optimists have been very instrumental in helping children in IB every year and one of their major events every year is sponsoring Kids N Kasles at the Sun and Sea Festival.
The Imperial Beach Optimists meet the first and third Tuesday’s of the month at the Fleet Reserve at 659 Silver Strand Blvd. in Imperial Beach. If you have an interest in becoming a member, stop by a meeting or contact any member.
Photo credit: Teresa Vaca
###
Note: If you would like to make sure you don’t miss stories like this or any other news about the community of Imperial Beach and South County, please be sure to sign up for our newsletter. Please note that every subscriber of our newsletter receives a Community Calendar of Events at the 1st of every month. Click here to: Subscribe
Paul Spear, Publisher, and Editor of Dig Imperial Beach