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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Your week

YOUR HEALTH

Want to keep your mind sharp? Get a leg up.

A study funded by the National Institute of Aging, which followed almost 500 people age 75 and older for five years, found a surprisingly strong correlation between dancing and reduction in dementia – a whopping 76 percent.

Two recent studies conducted by University of Missouri researchers also showed that dance-based therapy can improve balance in older adults, reducing the risk of falls.

National Dance Week just happens to be coming up; for more information on local events, see www.indaspokane.com.

» Find more health and fitness tips in Tuesday’s Today section.

YOUR HOME

Gardening also is good for mind and body, according to the Bonnie Plants people. Among the benefits:

• When you work in the yard, the sun helps your body make vitamin D, which is essential for healthy bones. Sunlight also has positive mental effects.

• Digging and shoveling for 30 minutes burns 200 to 360 calories.

• Soaking up the colors, sounds and smells of your garden and taking time to appreciate the peace and tranquility reduces stress.

• Gardening provides fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs, all of which are healthy and taste better than store-bought.

» Find more home and garden ideas in Sunday’s Today section.

YOUR FOOD

If you’re at the end of your rope when it comes to dinner ideas, try Ropa Vieja. The Cuban dish traditionally is made with leftover meat that’s simmered in a tomato sauce until it falls apart; for a quicker version that’s ideal for a weeknight meal, see the recipe on page C5.

» Find more recipes and restaurant news in Wednesday’s Food section.

YOUR FUN

Here’s what’s on the schedule for this week:

On CD (Tuesday)

Foo Fighters, “Wasting Light”

Paul Simon, “So Beautiful or So What”

Alison Krauss and Union Station, “Paper Airplane”

k.d. lang, “Sing It Loud”

On DVD (Tuesday)

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1” (Friday)

“Country Strong”

“Summer in Genoa”

In theaters (Friday)

“Rio” (animated)

“Scream 4” (horror)

On TV

“Sports Show With Norm Macdonald”: The former “Saturday Night Live” player sets his snarky sights on the sports world. (Tuesday, 10:30 p.m., Comedy Central)

“Happy Endings”: Premiere of the ensemble comedy about a group of friends whose key couple breaks up. (Wednesday, 9:31 p.m., ABC)

“The Office”: Will Ferrell begins a four-episode guest run as the incoming new boss. (Thursday, 9 p.m., NBC)

“Mob Wives”: The new reality series spotlights real-life Carmela Sopranos. (Sunday, 8 p.m., VH1)

On stage

Ani DiFranco (Get Lit!): Friday, Bing Crosby Theater

Tim O’Brien (Get Lit!): Saturday, Bing Crosby Theater

Spokane Symphony, Gabriela Montero, piano: Saturday-Sunday, The Fox

Spokane’s Top Model: Saturday, Knitting Factory Concert House

Around town

Premier Home Improvement Show: Friday-Sunday, Spokane County Fair and Expo Center

Spokane Women’s Show: Friday-Sunday, Convention Center

61st Sukiyaki Dinner: Saturday, Highland Park United Methodist Church

» Find a full arts and entertainment roundup in the Thursday and Friday Today sections.