TALK-N-DRUM
Nanette Garcia & Maurice Minichino
Phone 914.245.5655
Talkndrum@verizon.net
www.talkndrum.com

TALK N DRUM, Foreign Language and Music Program Opens in Mt Kisco!

Speaking a new language to the beat of a drum! For young children, it's as easy to acquire a second language as learning a first language. From birth, children's brains have a unique 'window of opportunity' to absorb a second language naturally through consistent exposure and enjoyable activities. This past year, Yorktown residents Nanette Garcia and Maurice Minichino have successfully incorporated this concept into TALK N DRUM, Foreign Language and Music Program. They have been providing and bringing this multi sensory method of teaching a second language to children in local preschools, youth centers and libraries. Now these innovative
co-creators/educators/musicians Nanette Garcia and Maurice Minichino have established TALK N DRUM at a new location in Mt Kisco at the Lutheran Church of Resurrection, 15 S Bedford Road in Mt. Kisco.

Talk n Drum Foreign Language and Music Program has already been incorporated into many early childhood library programs and private and public preschools including the YWCA in White Plains. According to Rhonda Heumann, Director of Preschool Education at the White Plains YWCA, "Talk N Drum is an innovative foreign language program. Besides using the Ancient tradition of drumming to teach a new spoken language, Nanette Garcia's multi-sensory approach enhances children's creativity, listening and organizational skills, large and fine motor development, and above all else, it's FUN!! Nanette brings out the gifted in each child." In addition to being a powerful language acquisition aide for young children, the Talk N Drum system helps children gain cognitive benefits, accelerating verbal and math skills. It also promotes teamwork and a sense of community, while teaching tolerance and acceptance of all people and the cultures to which they belong.

Walk for PKD: September 16, 2006 at the Bedford Hills Memorial Park. A 2.5 mile walk to raise funds for PKD (polycystic kidney disease) research. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the walk begins at 10 a.m. There will be a free lunch for all participants after the walk with musical entertainment by Annie Grilli of Annie and the Natural Wonder Band. Registration is $15 for adults and $10 per child in advance, $20 per adult day of walk.

Poly-What? By Heidi J. Cambareri

Have you heard of polycystic kidney disease? Chances are you have not, which is amazing considering that polycystic kidney disease, or PKD, is the most common of all life-threatening genetic disorders. It affects more people than cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, hemophilia, sickle-cell anemia, and Down Syndrome combined. 1 in 500 people have PKD. PKD causes cysts to form in the kidneys. The cysts grow and cause enlarged kidneys, high blood pressure, and eventually kidney failure. There is no treatment or cure. There are two forms of PKD. Autosomal Dominant PKD, usually doesn't cause symptoms until adulthood. Each child of a person with ADPKD has a 50/50 chance of inheriting the disease, so it appears generation after generation in affected families. Autosomal Recessive PKD, causes cysts and complications in young children, often in utero. Many children with ARPKD don't survive the first few days of life. There usually isn't a family history with ARPKD, so the diagnosis comes as a complete surprise.

PKD has been taking lives one generation after another with little awareness, but that is changing. Research has identified the gene that causes PKD and clinical trials are finally beginning with some drugs that might slow the progression of the disease. There is finally hope for a cure, and that hope has prompted many families to speak out and do everything they can to increase awareness of PKD and raise funds to support research. The volunteers of the Hudson Valley Chapter of the PKD Foundation have worked for the past three years to organize an annual Walk for PKD. The first two walks raised over $90,000 for research. The third walk will be on September 16, 2006 at the Bedford Hills Memorial Park.