Kristin Gaspar – Kristin Gaspar's Blog

Encinitas Rotary Club

While serving as business manager and CFO of the Doctors of Physical Therapy in Encinitas, California, Kristin Gaspar also held a position as president of the Encinitas Rotary Club. Kristin Gaspar has most recently served as the mayor and a city council member of the City of Encinitas in California.

Designed to serve the community and help senior citizens with every day needs, the Encinitas Rotary Club has been operating for more than 75 years. The local Rotary Club also sponsors an annual Charity Wine and Food Festival focused on local children’s groups. The 2016 Festival was held at the Encinitas Ranch Golf Course and raised more than $100,000.

One of the local children’s groups supported by the Encinitas Rotary Club is the Cardiff Soccer League. This non-profit organization promotes sports activities for kids age 5 to 18. The Cardiff Soccer League, with assistance from the Encinitas Rotary Club allows children to participate in the soccer program whether they are able to pay the registration fee or not.

Becoming a CPTA-Recognized Center of Excellence

California Physical Therapy Association pic — California Physical Therapy Association
Image: ccapta.org

Along with serving as the first elected mayor in the history of Encinitas, California, Kristin Gaspar helps leads Gaspar Physical Therapy in her capacity as CFO. As CFO, Kristin Gaspar played a key role in the clinic becoming the first participant in the California Physical Therapy Association’s (CPTA) Recognition of Practice Excellence program.

Now known as the Center of Excellence Recognition program, this initiative of the CPTA uses a series of “quality practice indicators” to identify the best physical therapy clinics in the state. Each clinic is evaluated based on three major categories: management, practice (which includes, among other factors, patient satisfaction), and professionalism.

Individual clinics hoping to become a Center of Excellence must first study the program’s practice resource manual, which covers the expected core values of a high-quality clinic and identifies the regulations of state and federal agencies overseeing the industry.

The manual also offers information on Medicare and Workers’ Compensation requirements. In addition, it provides numerous forms that focus on safety policies and training, annual reviews, client satisfaction, and administrative procedures. Upon completion of this manual review, clinics may fill out the Recognition Program application form.

An Overview of PT Balance Programs

Gaspar Physical Therapy pic — Gaspar Physical Therapy
Image: gasparpt.com

Kristin Gaspar joined the Encinitas city council in 2010, and since 2014 has served the city as mayor. In addition to her political work, Kristin Gaspar oversees financial operations at Gaspar Physical Therapy. The organization provides patients with a variety of physical therapy services, including balance programs and aquatic therapy.

Falling and other balance related issues become more and more serious as individuals age. About 33 percent of people over the age of 65 experience at least one fall per year. Nearly 16,000 individuals in that age group died as the result of an accidental fall in 2005, while 2008 saw an additional 1.8 million treated in the emergency room for a fall. The risk of an accidental fall only grows over time, as accidental falls rank as the number one cause of injury and death among individuals 85 and older.

When entering into a balance program, physical therapists will evaluate patients in a number of areas, such as the patient’s present fall risk and muscle strength. The patient’s general medical history is also taken into account. Balance treatment programs are optimized for each patient, though common elements include strength exercises, gait training, vestibular testing and a specialized home exercise program. Modern physical therapy offices can often integrate new technologies with their balance programs, like Biodex and WiiFit.

Running for City Council

Earning a seat on the city council at the age of 30, Kristin Gaspar ran in a challenging race against two incumbents and another candidate. In the 2010 election, she received 11,056 votes, and the second-place candidate collected 10,167 votes. In 2014, Kristin Gaspar was elected mayor of Encinitas.

People usually run for city council because they want to make a difference in their community and gain experience in politics. When running for a city council seat, the best way to start a campaign is to gain name recognition. Knocking on doors, attending public community meetings, and advertising around town close to election time are all good avenues for getting the word out. It is best to check with the local city hall, but usually, a candidate must submit a letter of intent or file an application to run for office. Every city will have different qualifications, so a candidate needs to research and find out the best way to get his or her name on the ballot.

The Different Styles of Waltz

Waltz pic — Waltz
Image: dance.about.com

Based in Encinitas, California, Kristin Gaspar oversees all business development aspects of Gaspar Physical Therapy in her role as chief financial officer. Earlier in her career, Kristin Gaspar participated in competitive ballroom dance.

A historic style of ballroom dance, the waltz first gained popularity among the noble societies of early 19th-century England. Since then, the dance has become a standard in the international competitive ballroom circuit, developing unique variations along the way. Here are a few of the variations on the traditional waltz:

Viennese Waltz: The most common style found in competition, the Viennese waltz is also one of the most formal styles. Danced in a closed position, this waltz includes only a few figures. The Viennese waltz is performed to a tempo of 180-200 beats per minute, making it one of the fastest styles.

American Waltz: After the waltz first came to the United States halfway through the 19th century, American composers began creating music that slowed its traditional pace. This eventually gave rise to the American style of waltz, which is known for its fluidity and versatility. Dancers may move in closed or open position, incorporating a wider range of movements than in the European style.

Country Western Waltz: Similar to the American form, the country western waltz utilizes a slow tempo but makes heavy use of the shadow position throughout each dance. In addition, choreography in this style more often uses running progressive steps than American or Viennese waltzes. Most importantly, participants dance this waltz to country-western music instead of traditional orchestral pieces.

Encinitas Rotary Club Assists Seniors With Home Projects

A former president and current board member of the Encinitas, California Rotary Club, Kristin Gaspar established a name for herself as a leader in community development. Subsequently, Kristin Gaspar won election at a young age to the mayor’s office, where she now serves.

The Encinitas club continues to carry out its mandate of “service before self.” This philosophy is exemplified by the club’s Home Team volunteers. The program serves senior citizens whose fixed income or infirmity makes its difficult for them to afford basic home repairs. About 25 male and female Rotary volunteers offer their assistance.

Traditionally, the Rotarians have focused their efforts on Encinitas’ youth, but lately they have added elderly persons to the populations they serve. This new involvement grew out of former president Roger Bolus’ experiences with his aging mother, living far from him on the east coast. She had to pay for a full service call for simple tasks such as replacing a light bulb.

Team members placed fliers advertising the service in the Encinitas senior center. Repairs are generally scheduled for Saturdays, at no charge.

About the Encinitas Educational Foundation

Encinitas Educational Foundation pic — Encinitas Educational Foundation
Image: encinitaseducationalfoundation.org

The mayor of the City of Encinitas in San Diego County, California, Kristin Gaspar has contributied to the social and environmental well-being of the area through her longstanding involvement with local nonprofits. In addition to her work with entities such as the Encinitas Rotary Club, Kristin Gaspar served as vice president of the Encinitas Educational Foundation.

The goal of the Encinitas Educational Foundation is to foster high academic achievement within students enrolled in the city’s public school system. To support scholastic success, the foundation partners with both families and businesses to collect donations, 100 percent of which go toward the financing of children’s educations.

In addition to collecting direct donations, the foundation holds fundraisers throughout the year to earn significant funding to apply toward the public education system in Encinitas. Past events include a Board-Break-A-Thon, hosted by a local karate school, and sponsored percentage nights at local restaurants, such as Gaglione Brothers Famous Steaks and Subs.

Those interested in contributing to the Encinitas Educational Foundation’s efforts can learn more about its mission and methods at www.encinitaseducationalfoundation.org.

Services for Seniors in Encinitas, California

Services for Seniors pic — Services for Seniors
Image: http://www.ci.encinitas.ca.us

A corporate financial professional, Kristin Gaspar joined the City Council of Encinitas, California, in 2010. Kristin Gaspar now leads as the city’s first elected mayor, in which role she strives to promote opportunities for all citizens.

Largely thanks to the City of Encinitas Senior Citizen Commission, the city offers a number of services and enrichment programs for its older citizens. Generous volunteers in the community make possible the Out and About Transportation Program, which provides rides to local residents aged 50 or older who have limited means of travel. Open to eligible citizens in the 92007 and 92024 ZIP codes, the program enables many seniors to remain independent and maintain a higher quality of life.

Senior citizens of Encinitas are also welcome at the Encinitas Senior Center. Open five days per week, the center offers access to recreational programs and social events. It is also home to the Little Oaks Cafe lunch program, which serves hot meals on days the center is open. In recognition of those who have contributed significantly to the lives of seniors, Encinitas sponsors its Service to a Senior Award, as well presents the Senior Citizen of the Year Award to a community volunteer aged 60 or above.

Types of American Style Ballroom Dance

Ballroom Dancing pic — Ballroom Dancing
Image: americanballroomnc.com

A dedicated civil servant in Encinitas, California, Kristin Gaspar has served as the city’s first elected mayor for the last year. Earlier in her career, Kristin Gaspar participated in ballroom dance competitions and worked as a dance instructor.

Ballroom dance competitions typically include dances from both the International Latin and American Styles. American ballroom dance is further divided into the Smooth and Rhythm categories, which offer distinctive features not found in other types of ballroom dance.

Many people associate the American Smooth style with the iconic dance pair of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. While other ballroom styles require both partners to remain together throughout the dance, American Smooth features the more relaxed “open hold” position. This unique aspect of American ballroom facilitates more creativity and creates a distinctive form of dance by allowing partners to dance separately during the piece. Popular ballroom styles in this category include the Viennese Waltz, Tango, and Foxtrot.

The American Rhythm style includes elements from International Latin dance, but also incorporates features of dances from African and Latin American countries. The Rhythm form exclusively incorporates the Cuban motion, which causes dancers to rotate their hips by flexing their knees during a step. In addition to Swing, American Rhythm dances include the Mambo and Bolero.

Ways to Help Keep the Ocean Healthy

PlanSea pic — PlanSea
Image: plansea.org

A resident of Encinitas, California, and a member of its city council, Kristin Gaspar is actively involved in her local, coastal community. In addition to her work on the city council, Kristin Gaspar served as a host for the educational multimedia program My Beach Report, produced by the nonprofit organization PlanSea. PlanSea works to teach children about the importance of protecting the world’s oceans. The following are simple things anyone can do in order to promote healthier oceans, and therefore a healthier planet.

1. Reduce plastic use: Most plastic is not biodegradable, and plastic accounts for up to 80 percent of garbage and debris found in the world’s oceans. By using sustainable products, such as reusable bags and tableware, we can reduce the damage plastic causes to marine life.

2. Eat smart seafood: Across the world, populations of fish are decreasing at an unhealthy and damaging rate due to overfishing. Many online resources provide diners with sustainable seafood choices that do not contribute to this growing problem.

3. Keep water clean: Whether you live near an ocean or not, what you pour down your drain can eventually reach the ocean via local waterways. Help keep the world’s water clean by disposing of chemicals in an environmentally friendly way and choosing cleaning products that are not toxic.