Don't want to be cooped up in the house this summer? Play some cool outdoor games and keep boredom at bay. Need ideas to get you started? Check out the list of books below. You'll find new ideas for games along with some old familiar favorites.

Run, jump, hide, slide, splash: the 200 best outdoor games ever by Joe Rhatigan & Rain Newcomb

Get out!: outdoor activities kids can enjoy anywhere (except indoors) by Hallie Warshaw with Jake Miller; photography by Julie Brown

Let's go outside!: outdoor activities and projects to get you and your kids closer to nature by Jennifer Ward; illustrations by Susie Ghahremani

Sidewalk games by Glen Vecchione; illustrated by Blanche Sims

It is rare that we get the opportunity to learn from a meditation master, but on Thursday, June 2 at 7:00PM, we will have that opportunity. Swami Satya Niranjan, popularily known as respected Bagmarji, and Om Johari will discuss the healthy, psychological and spiritual benefits of laughter. While using laughter as an example of meditation, the pair will show how and why to meditate, to show gratitude and be happy all the time.
No registration is needed.

It doesn't feel warm enough, but Ozone Action season started May 1. Consider carpooling and using transit for cleaner air and the fuel savings.

It is the little things that we all do on Ozone Action days that can have a positive impact on air quality. Here are tips for Southeast Michigan residents to help keep the air clean on Ozone Action days:

• Try not to refuel on Ozone Action days. If you need to refuel on an Ozone Action day, fill up in the evening when the weather is cooler and don’t "top off" the tank
• Reduce automobile use on Ozone Action days. Plan to carpool, use public transit, or walk to work
• Choose the push mower over the lawn mower

Remember you can request email notifications of Ozone Action days by emailing: ozoneaction@semcog.org and putting "Notification" in the subject line or become a fan on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

Since 1963, May has been declared Older Americans Month by the Agency on Aging. The theme of this year's celebration — Older Americans: Connecting the Community — pays homage to the many ways in which older adults bring inspiration and continuity to the fabric of our communities. It also highlights the many ways technology is helping older Americans live longer, healthier and more engaged lives. Canton Public Library offers a variety of programs this month which should interest older adults:

• May 7, 9:30-11:30AM — Computer Maintenance
• May 11, 7:00-8:00PM — Conquering Your Pain the Holistic Way (Canceled)
• May 20, 2:00-3:00PM — Transitioning
• May 25, 2:00-3:00PM — Canton Seniors Book Discussion Group
• May 26, 7:00-8:00PM — From Tiger Stadium to Comerica Park

Spring into action this weekend with the Bunny Hop. Don't know what the Bunny Hop is? Check out some of these fun cd's and put on your dancing paws, I mean shoes.

Disney's more dancin' tunes [sound recording]

Family fun songs [sound recording]

A very veggie Easter [sound recording]

Animal groove [sound recording] words & music by James Coffey

Animal walks [sound recording] by Georgiana Stewart

Diaper gym [sound recording]: fun activities for babies on the move presented by Playful Parenting

Thousands of Medicare beneficiaries will receive an invitation in May to be part of a special study looking at the impact of age-related changes on functional ability. The National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) will be seeking some 9,000 people aged 65 and older to participate in this long-term study, funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health. NHATS will examine how the daily lives of older adults change as they age. Participants will be randomly chosen from across the country.

For the first time in 27 years, clinical diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer’s disease dementia have been revised, and research guidelines for earlier stages of the disease have been characterized to reflect a deeper understanding of the disorder. The National Institute on Aging/Alzheimer’s Association Diagnostic Guidelines for Alzheimer’s Disease outline some new approaches for clinicians and provide scientists with more advanced guidelines for moving forward with research on diagnosis and treatments.
(Photo credit: PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images/elibrary)

The Center for Michigan is providing opportunities for citizens to speak out.  "Talk Back to Lansing" forums are scheduled in Wixom (April 20), Grand Rapids (April 25) and Lansing (April 27).  Register today.

Let your voice help shape Michigan's 2012 Budget.

A little bit of stress is not bad at all. It helps you to keep your focus on work and perform better. Problems arise when you are unable to keep stress level under your control. Too much stress will affect your performance as a professional. It may ruin your personal relationships. Above all, it will take a toll on your health. To avoid any such consequences, coping with stress at work or home is very important. The first step in managing stress is identifying it, then understanding and managing it.

The myth of stress : where stress really comes from and how to live a happier and healthier life by Andrew Bernstein — covers where stress really comes from and how to live a happier and healthier life.

Stress relief yoga [videodisc] by with Suzanne Deason

When people hear the words "long-term care," they often think only of nursing homes, but long-term care includes much more. Personal care, home health care, transportation services and adult day care are all long-term care services, and they can be critical to an older person's health care. Find information on the range of long-term care services available and suggestions about planning for future needs on NIHSeniorHealth, the health and wellness website for older adults from the National Institute on Aging.