Whistlestop NOVEMBER 2010
E PRESS
thewhistlestop.org
The Leading Information Resource for Marin's Active Aging Movement
Active Aging Center
Tai Chi Class
Computer Class
Special Annual Report Edition Your Contributions Stretch Far To Help Us Help Older Adults by JOHN BOWMAN
T
housands of Marin County residents benefit from the many generous contributions to Whistlestop, helping us to help older adults have richer, more active and meaningful lives. In this issue of the Whistlestop Express, we honor those who contribute. Your gifts enabled 105,859 people to use our paratransit service in the past year; 4,106 older adults to participate in our Active Aging Center events and classes; 9,493 to eat at the Recipe for two The Mystic Table. page 4
Jackson Café; and 10,338 to participate in Multi cultural programs. Marin’s over-65 age group will soar from the 35,400 (14%) of the total population in 2005 to 91,200 (32%) by 2030. As this population grows, the need for our various services becomes even more important. Whistlestop delivers myriad services thanks to our donors, a dedicated professional staff and a legion of loyal volunteers.
Join Us for a Feast! page 8
Whistlestop Volunteer
Joe O’Hehir, CEO of Whistlestop, and the entire staff express gratitude to everyone who helps make this possible. ✦
Discover the Bird's side of Marin. page 11
Table of
Whistlestop
CONTENTS
PERSPECTIVE b y J O E O ' H E H I R A Year in Review: Celebrating Generosity
2 3 4 5 8/9 10 11 12 13/14
Whistlestop Perspective Joe O'Hehir Readers Write In Mystic Table Mark Lindsay Recipe of the Month At Whistlestop Whistlestop Activities Calendar The Bird's Side of Marin Richard Pavek Financial Nuggets Jeff Stoffer Photo Contest Winners
Marin Senior Coordinating Council, Inc. 930 Tamalpais Avenue San Rafael, CA 94901 Chief Executive OfďŹ cer, Joe O’Hehir Board of Directors President, Dennis Thompson Vice President, Terry Scussel Chief Financial OfďŹ cer, Jeff Stoffer Secretary, Michael Hingson +AREN !RNOLD s *ANE ,OTT s $EBBIE -ILLS $AMIEN -OROZUMI s -ICHAEL 2ICE The Whistlestop Express IS A PUBLICATION OF THE -ARIN Senior Coordinating Council, Inc. A 501 (c) 3 NOT FOR PROlT ORGANIZATION The Mission of Whistlestop: 7HISTLESTOP HELPS -ARIN #OUNTY S OLDER ADULTS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES LIVE ACTIVE AND INDEPENDENT LIVES BY PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION NUTRITION
information and referral services, and an activity CENTER COMBINED WITH A MULTICULTURAL PROGRAM IN A COMMUNITY BASED SETTING Whistlestop Contact Information Main Number 415-456-9062 Whistlestop Fax 415-456-2858 www.thewhistlestop.org Information & Referral OfďŹ ce 415-459-6700 resource@thewhistlestop.org The Whistlestop Express Editorial, Art Direction & Sales John & Val Bowman Editors 916-751-9189 JOHN BOWMAN GMAIL COM Missy Reynolds Art Director mreynolds@paciďŹ csun.com Advertising Linda Black s 415-485-6700, Ext. 306 The Whistlestop Express is printed on recycled paper 4O BE ADDED TO OR TAKEN OFF THE EMAIL LIST FOR The Whistlestop Express, please call 415-456-9062, ext. 141. Or send an email, with your request, your name and address to INFO@thewhistlestop.org.
2
The Whistle Stop Express November 2010
W
e take this time of year to reect on Whistlestop’s performance during the past 12 months, and to thank and acknowledge the more than 800 donors and volunteers who continue to demonstrate their generosity and support for our mission. This edition of the Whistlestop Express reects who we are, what we do, and how we deliver value to Marin’s older adults and people with disabilities, thanks to your continued generosity and support. Like many of our fellow nonproďŹ ts, we have survived a challenging ďŹ nancial year, primarily due to the long economic recession. However, we have been heartened to have 125 new ďŹ rst-time donors added during the past year to our family of supporters. We were able to hold our funding level at approximately the same amount as the prior year during a time when several nonproďŹ ts have seen their funding decrease by 20-30%. Whistlestop programs and services achieved several successful milestones during the year. We were awarded the three-year Marin Transit Paratransit and Mobility Management Center development contract. This long-term partnership will allow us to continue to provide high quality paratransit services to the community, and to begin the development of a one-stop-shop service call center offering transportation
solutions and options for a wide variety of special needs individuals. We also completed installation of high technology MDT/ AVL equipment, purchased by Marin Transit, on all of our vehicles, helping our drivers better locate our clients’ pick-up and drop-off locations. Our Jackson CafĂŠ once again served over 10,000 low cost nutritious meals. Our Active Aging Center provided over 6,300 participants with several new classes and programs to stimulate the body, mind, and spirit. We also published and distributed the 23rd edition of the Whistlestop Directory of Services for Older Adults in Marin County. Our theme for this next year continues from this past: “Do Something Good for an Older Adult.â€? How can you help? s -AKE A MONTHLY lNANCIAL donation; s #ONTRIBUTE THROUGH A Planned Gift; s $ONATE A USED CAR OR VEHICLE s 6OLUNTEER YOUR TIME and expertise. I have mentioned before that one of the best parts of my job is signing donor acknowledgement letters of appreciation to the hundreds of individuals, families, and organizations who have shown their generosity and support for Whistlestop. Here’s hoping that my writer’s cramp continues. âœŚ Joe O’Hehir is CEO Whistlestop.
Readers
Helping You Maintain
WRITE IN
Your Independence
by CLAUDIA CARROLL
Of Skeletons and Souls
E
ach autumn, Ray Bradbury’s The Skeleton, and the song, Autumn Leaves, come knocking at my memory-door. This year, due to giving my Remembrance Writing 101 workshops, the skeleton story is back. The tale of the man who discovered he had a skeleton living inside his body, The Skeleton was published in 1943. My thoughts on The Skeleton are not intended to scare. Rather I’m reminded, at age 73, how we often perceive older individuals as their earth-body suits only, or by the number of years they’ve lived. But there is more than a skeleton living inside There is more than a the earth-body suit. are a mind, skeleton living inside There soul, heart, brain, the earth-body suit. and life experience that, if only a few pages per year were written about, could easily total 500 pages. Becoming older does not necessarily mean enjoying life more, contributing more, earning more, although some do. Outside of tribal society, becoming older does not mean earning the title, place, respect of an “elder.â€? We often criticize Western civilization’s devotion to “looking good, moving up fast, achieving, collecting stuff.â€? Our attitudes toward older adults are skewed by this thinking. The earth-body suit takes on wear. Labels, like “social security numberâ€? and “Medicare numberâ€? are attached. Caring communities provide “servicesâ€? and “activitiesâ€? for “seniors and the elderly.â€? But what happens to the person, the individual, who worked his or her way through college, fought in a war, built a family or career or both, contributed to neighborhood, village, nation? Where’s the recognition of that essential beingness, without which we cease to exist meaningfully? This autumn, acknowledge yourself, and maybe another “elderâ€? in your neighborhood not as just someone to provide services for, but as an older adult who has lived history, and is writing livinghistory, current era.âœŚ
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The Mystic
TABLE b y M A R K L I N D S A Y Leftovers: A Fact of Life
L
eftovers are mostly a the wasting and spoiling of leftletdown. It’s easy to re- over food. The key is to think heat something, espe- ahead when we plan our food cially with today’s microwave week. Take risotto, for example. ovens. But food rarely tastes as good the second day we eat it. Risotto is sublime when eaten immediately after Yet, with the high making it. Yet, eat cost of food and with The result, it as a leftover and many of us cooking it tastes more like for one or two peo- arancini than rice. The ple, leftovers are a (little oranges), glue secret is to take the fact of life. We can trans- is extraordinary. leftover risotto and form balls out of it. form our leftovers Then coat the balls into new dishes that taste fresh and exciting. in egg wash and bread crumbs In fact, many familiar recipes and fry them in vegetable oil. from around the world were in- The result, arancini (little orvented, by necessity, to prevent anges), is extraordinary. Some-
times I prefer arancini to the original risotto dish. This month we’ll concentrate on the risotto and next month we’ll make arancini from it. We’ll continue to follow this theme in future columns as we explore ways to cook economically for one or two people yet enjoy each and every meal luxuriously.✦
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The Whistle Stop Express November 2010
Recipe of
THE MONTH Risotto with Tomatoes & Zucchini Serves 4 Ingredients 6 cups (or more) 4 tbsp. I tbsp. 1/2 1 3
meat broth butter vegetable oil onion chopped fine garlic clove chopped fine small zucchini cut crosswise into ¼-inch slices 1-1/2 lbs. fresh plum tomatoes, peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch dice salt and pepper - to taste 2 cups arborio or carnaroli rice 6 basil leaves cut crosswise into thin strips 1/2 cup freshly grated parmigiano reggiano cheese eat broth in a medium pot over low heat. It should be hot before we start with our second pot, containing rice. Heat 3 tablespoons of butter and vegetable oil in a large, sturdy pot over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until golden. Add the garlic, stir, and continue to sauté for a minute. Add the zucchini and cook until lightly brown, stirring frequently. Add tomatoes and salt and pepper. Stir occasionally until the tomatoes are reduced to the consistency of a paste. Turn up heat to high and add the rice. Stir vigorously for about three minutes to coat the rice completely. Add several ladles of hot broth to rice mixture. Stir constantly and vigorously over high heat, being sure that nothing burns on the bottom of the pot. When the rice is completely dry again, add another ladle of broth. With this cooking process, the rice will expand and start to soften. It is done when firm but not chalky. It takes about 25 minutes in all. If you run out of broth you can add water to your broth pot. When the rice is done, adjust the consistency with some broth or water so that it is all’onda, like a wave. It should wet and you should be able to slosh it from side-to-side in the serving dish. Turn off the heat and add the remaining tablespoon of butter, the cheese, and the basil. Stir vigorously to make it all creamy. Transfer the risotto immediately into a large, shallow, bowl. ✦
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“In Honor� Gifts received—July 2009 to July 2010
Annual Report
Jacklyn Robert Begley Evelyn Berkman
“In Memory� Gifts received—July 2009 to July 2010 Mary E. Moore Daughter of Isidore and Joanna Natsios Carmen Nickle Morgan Noble Margaret Orr Harry Parker Eddi Pease Ms. Nikki Ragsdale Michael Sapir Sheahan Family Maitland Stanley Joseph Sultana Kathleen Christine Bowman Thomas Cory VanDruen David Vattuone Evelyn Vossbrink Robert York
Whistlestop Volunteers Calvin Ahlgren Kendi Aliff Georgia Anker Kirk Beales Denise Bertucelli Brenda Canada Claudia Carroll Tim Chambers Herman Clasen Gerry Cooper Carol Costa Judy Countermine Tommy Davis Gene Dyer Mehrbanoo Esmaili Ed Essick Ruth Fleshman Evelyn Gilbreath Brett Giuliano Samatha Giuliano Carol Golden Michael Gordon Anna Haight Diane Hain Judy Hall Price Hall Jean Harrison Rob Harrison Hilda Hensley GrifďŹ n Hill Barbara Hodes Lynn Huelsmann Molly Hynes
Legacy Society Members
WHEN
Info & Referrals 1,681
The Whistle Stop Express November 2010
Individual Donors 7% Whistlestop Wheels 64%
Whistlestop travels throughout Marin, but we are also in Sonoma, San Francisco, and Contra Costa counties.
Whistlestop Wheels Rides 105,859
Nearly 24/7 for Paratransit, Active Aging Center Mon-Fri 8am-4pm and Holiday Celebrations
Christine Nishinaga Helen Nugent Gail Orchier Celeste Parcell Cody Alden Rahn Amido Rapkin Paula Ross Rob Ruby Linda Sampson Letitia Sanders Joan Sanders SueEllen Scheppke Denise Scussel Libby Sherwood Inez Skog Orville Teising Allison Thompson Edna Trimm Suzie van Buskirk Marcia Van Meter Viji Vierke Susan Woodrum
Other 5% Grants 5% Transportation Contracts 7%
Bequests 12%
WHERE
Active Aging Programs 6,300 Jackson CafĂŠ Meals 9,493 Multi-Cultural Programs 10,338
Numbers served
6
Estate of Josephine Lopes Jane Lott Estate of Eli Mac Leod Estate of Kenyon Rayner Michael Rice Estate of Carl Schmidt Terry Scussel Jeff Stoffer Dennis Thompson Estate of George and Lucile Traeger Estate of Enid L. Wasserman
1 out of 4 Marin residents will be over the age of 65 in 2010
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Estate of Peter and Edith Altmann Karen Arnold Estate of Norma Boucher Wendy Buchen Estate of Kathleen R. Burgy Estate of Hugh Thursten Clarke Estate of Donald L. Duffy Michael Hingson Alfred Holck H. C. and Beverley Jackson Marilyn Jackson Estate of Francesca Livermore
Kristin Isom George John Anne Johnson Ron Kawata Tami Kelly Rusty Kostick Michael Kress Denise LaBuda Raynan Lack Mercedes Lavarreda Dr. Amy Cheng Lee, D.C. Yee Lee Carolyn Lerman Janice Lovi Candace Maddux David Malake P. Scott Marcum Norman Masonson Sister Peggy McCauley Rebecca Miles Rayner Needleman
WHAT
Florence Falvey Liam Falvey Lois Fisher Michael Franceschi Dorothy Frey Frank Goodall Robie Harrison Barbara Hayden Diane Holland Mr. Holliday Mrs. Emma Hubarrt Richard J. Isi Ed Kramer Elise Larrouy Millie Leary Edward M. Lewis Tally P. Mastrangelo Matt Mattoon Nancy Miravalle
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WHY
Esther Allen Irma Bartel Ms. Patricia Becker Russ Bohlke Dorothy Margaret Bradley Wes Brigham Barbara J. Brown Mary Brown Flora Campbell William Castelli Joseph Coffrini Baldy Cole Dick Curtis Opal Daniels Mercedes Depineda Joseph Durney Elizabeth Emerson Walter Fadeff
Gene DePrado Julie and Bret Mosley Whistlestop Volunteers
By 2010 1 out of every 3 Marin residents will be over the age of 65
Let your loved ones know how much you care by planning now.
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Learn More at
WHISTLESTOP BEGINNING COMPUTER/PICTURE CLASS 1st & 2nd Fridays of Month • 2 to 4pm Instructor: Gene Dyer | Fee: $15 Pre-registration required: call 415-459-6700 Prerequisite Skills: Basic Computer Skills Learn to transfer your digital photos from a camera, CD or flash drive onto your computer and how to send and receive them with your friends and family by attaching them to emails. Bring Camera & Cable. ADVANCED COMPUTER/ PICTURE CLASS Third Friday of Month 2 to 4pm Instructor: Gene Dyer | Fee: $15 Pre-registration required: call 415-459-6700 Prerequisite: Basic Computer Skills Learn how to tell a Picture Story on computer monitors and TVs in slide shows, using Word, PDF, Power Point Presentations and movie formats. KNIT YOUR PART KNITTING GROUP Wednesdays • 4:30pm Lounge | Free Confirm day: call 415-456-9062 Everyone is knitting squares to eventually put together and make an afghan to give to charity. Bring your needles (size 7 or 8) and any yarn you might have lying around. Everyone is welcome to come and join us!
Bring this coupon for any purchase in the store on November 6-7, 2010 and you will help older adults in Marin.
15% OF YOUR PURCHASE GOES TO WHISTLESTOP.
THE DANGEROUS OLDER DRIVER PRESENTATION Wednesday, November 17 5 to 6pm | Free Sponsor: Carolyn Rosenblatt, RN, Attorney/Mediator To register: call 415-456-9062 What happens when a loved one who has been diagnosed with dementia is still driving? Families face conflict when it comes time to take away the keys. Carolyn will discuss when and how to do this and not create a family battle. THANKSGIVING FEAST Thursday, November 25 • noon to 1:30pm Jackson Café | Fee: $8 for older adults, $12 for under 60 Reservations required: call 415-456-9062 This event is open to the public. Please join us for Whistlestop’s Annual Thanksgiving Day Feast! Come enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving meal and listen to festive music. The feast includes roasted turkey, wild mushroom and pecan stuffing, watercress and arugula salad, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, roasted brussel sprouts with apples and bacon, dinner roll, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, fresh whipped cream, and sparkling cider. Sponsored by Mission San Rafael Rotary Club. ON SITE NOTARY PUBLIC Thursdays • 12:30 to 2pm Please confirm dates & times: call 456-9062 Please welcome Rob, a volunteer who will be our on site notary public. He has volunteered to offer notarial services to clients, visitors and employees of Whistlestop. Feel free to drop by and say hello. While the standard fees for notarial services (per the California Government Code Section 8211) are $10 for each signature, Rob’s fees for clients, employees and visitors of Whistlestop will be $2 during the onsite hours, and all proceeds will be donated to Whistlestop. SENIOR PERSIAN GROUP Mondays & Wednesdays • 10:30am to 4pm For information: call 472-6020 Coordinator: Mehrbanoo Esmaili Older adults of Persian heritage are invited to enjoy social activities, exercise class, lunch in the Jackson Café, and English class. Activities include assistance with U.S. Citizenship application, completing YMCA sign-up forms, and citizenship classes, as well as monthly social events and computer classes in Farsi.
ANNUAL ENROLLMENT FOR MEDICARE PART D, PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE Thursday, November 4, November 18 and $ECEMBER s PM Free | Register: 456-9062 Speaker: Suzanne Schneider, CEBS, CLTC, Schneider Insurance Services From November 15 to December 31, you can change your Medicare Part D insurance provider. Are you on the best plan for you based on the medications you are taking and your personal situation? Or if you haven’t signed up for a Medicare Part D plan, should you do so now? Learn more about your situation and what options are available to you. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP WITH WHISTLESTOP TAX PROGRAM Whistlestop Active Aging Center, serving older adults and persons with disabilities, is seeking volunteers to help low-to-moderate income people with their 2010 taxes. Volunteers commit from February through April and must participate in the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) training (held in January) to become certified. For information: email Debbie.benedetti@ thewhistlestop.org or call 456-9062, x124.
#OUNTY #OMMISSION /N !GING -EETING There is no October meeting of the Marin County Commission on Aging. Please mark your calendar for the November meeting. 7HAT Marin County Commission on Aging Meeting 7HEN Thursday, November 4, 10am to 12:30pm 7HERE Tiburon Town Hall, 1505 Tiburon Blvd, Tiburon 4OPIC Medicare Updates 3PEAKER HICAP 7EBSITE http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts /HH/main/ag/Commission.cfm 0HONE 415-499-7396
Transportation Numbers Scheduling Rides: 454-0964 Cancelling Rides: 457-4630 Eligibility Coordinator, Janet Van Rijsbergen
454-0964, ext. 160
janet.vanrijsbergen@thewhistlestop.org
HEALTH CARE CONNECTION
CHAIR YOGA 4HURSDAYS s PM TO PM Instructor: Evelyn gilbreath Emphasis is on gentle breath work, stretches, balance, and relaxation and, most importantly, it is friendly and fun. )NTRODUCTORY 3PECIAL &REE FOR THE MONTH OF .OVEMBER HOLIDAY LUNCHEON 7EDNESDAY $ECEMBER s NOON TO PM Jackson Café | Fee: $6 for older adults, $9 for under 60 Reservations required: call 456-9062 Please join us for a delicious meal and live entertainment by the Christmas Jug Band! Entertainment provided by Bread & Roses
415 4572256 www.HealthCareConnectionLLC.com www.TheWhistleStop.org 9
Whistlestop CLASS
LOCATION
MISC.
COST
MONDAYS
10:30–NOON 11:00–NOON 11:00–12:30 PM 2:00–4:00 PM 4:00–5:30 PM
Senior Persian Group Computer Literacy Senior German Group ESL Citizenship
Lounge Computer Lab Box Car Caboose/Café Caboose
479-6020 for info Open Open Aug 16th-Dec 8th 454-0998 for info
Free Free Free Free Free
TUESDAYS
TIME
This Month at Whistlestop
9:15–10:30 AM 10:30–3:00 PM 10:45–11:45 AM 1:00–3:00 PM 2:00–3:30 PM
Whistle sizers Senior Asian Group Cardio Exercise Spanish Class English Conversation
Caboose Caboose Caboose Caboose Board Room
Open 454-1552 for info Open Open 454-0998 for info
$2 Free Free Free Free
FRIDAYS THURSDAYS WEDNESDAYS
ACTIVITIES
9:00–10:30 AM 10:00–11:30 AM 10:00–NOON 10:30–NOON 11:00–NOON 2:00–4:00 PM
Tai Chi Qigong Seniors' Circle Computer Lab Senior Persian Group Corazón Latino ESL
Caboose Board Room Computer Lab Lounge Caboose Caboose/Café
Suggested Donation Open Open 479-6020 for info Open Aug 16th-Dec 8th
$10 Free Free Free Free Free
9:15–10:30 AM 10:30–3:00 PM 12:30–2:00 PM 2:00-3:30 PM 2:15–3:15 PM 3:00–4:00 PM
Whistle sizers Senior Asian Group On Site Notary English Conversation Chair Yoga Vietn.Citizenship
Caboose Caboose Arcade Caboose Jackson Café Caboose
Open 454-1552 for info Open 454-0998 for info Open 454-1552 for info
$2 Free $2/Signature Free Free in Nov. Free
11:00–1:00 PM 1:30–3:30 PM 1:30–3:30 PM 2:00-4:00 PM
Loom Knitting ACASA Spanish Club Friday Movie
Caboose Board Room Caboose Jackson Café
1st Fri. Arts & Crafts Peer Counseling Open Free Snacks/Drinks
Free Free Free Free
Jackson Café
Monday-Friday 11:30am-1:30pm Located in Whistlestop Active Aging Center
LUNCH MENU
The Caboose, Computer Lab, Board Room and Jackson Café are all located at Whistlestop’s Active Aging Center – 930 Tamalpais Ave., San Rafael.
UNDER 60 PRICES Main Entrée $6.25 Turkey Sandwich $3.25 Soup $2.25 Hamburger $5.00 Pizza $4.50 Salads $3.50
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60+ PRICES Main Entrée Turkey Sandwich Soup Hamburger Pizza Salads
$3.75 $2.75 $1.75 $4.00 $3.50 $2.50
The Whistle Stop Express November 2010
OTHER ITEMS Tuna Salad Side $1.25 Fresh Fruit Cup $.75 Cottage Cheese $1.00 Desserts $.50 Beverages $.50-$.75
The Bird's Side
OF MARIN
b y R I C H A R D PAV E K
Running on the Water
B
irds running on water? Well, yes, a number of birds do, pelagic birds that live on the ocean’s surface where they feed on plankton, fish, – and unfortunately these days – bits of plastic. The Black-footed Albatross is one such; its seven-foot wings that let it soar effortlessly for hours over the ocean are too long to flap on take-off to get air-
borne. So they spread their wings wide and paddle, run, across the surface until the wind under their angled wings is strong enough to lift them up. Something like you used to do as a kid; running down the beach with a kite, trying to get up enough speed to launch it. (OK, some of you still do it. Sorry.) Anyway, the birds are quite a sight, legs stretched wide, moving faster and faster into what breeze there is, until it supports them and they rise up a few feet, where
they are once again free to soar on the lifting air. They don’t build nests or lay eggs on the water. Albatrosses find a sandy shore where they can lay their single egg for the season. There is a longer version of this article on my blog at: www.RichardsBirdBlog.com if you are interested. Want a free funny, rare, or beautiful bird in your Inbox every Saturday? Just ask me at SHENmaker@MSN.com. Enjoy the birds, Richard www.TheWhistleStop.org 11
Financial
to your portfolio? In this ďŹ rst installment of a series on the love affair with bonds, we’ll look at some of by JEFF STOFFER, CPA, CFPÂŽ the reasons people are ocking to bonds and suggest why this could be a problem. Subsequent columns will consider bonds in terms of behavioral psychology and asset allocation. Bonds: Too Much of Finally, we’ll tackle the ination versus deaa Good Thing? tion debate. People are buying bonds with such fervor ince 2007, investors have become increasbecause they are afraid. The ecoingly averse to risk. By some nomic recovery is still questionestimates, investors have sold able. Too many are unemployed. over $200 billion worth of domestic US Treasury bonds are the “safe I often refer to stocks and purchased nearly $600 haven.â€? Those concerned about bonds as hot billion of ďŹ xed income products durdeation also love bonds because ing this period. When so many insoup on a cold they expect other types of investvestors place their bets on the same ments, such as stocks, to fare winter's day. thing, prices inevitably rise. Buying poorly. bonds today may be taking on more So, what is to love about bonds? I risk than people realize. often refer to bonds as “hot soup What is the “correctâ€? percentage on a cold winter’s day.â€? What of bonds to hold? Should you conmakes them wonderful is the steady income sider buying stocks rather than adding bonds stream they provide, along with the return of your principal. Bonds don’t uctuate in value as much as stocks can. I feel warm and fuzzy Give the gift of health‌ just thinking about them! Therapeutic Yoga For Older Adults To be sure, bonds do have some risks, including ination and rising interest rates. InaŠ tion “eatsâ€? into principal. When your principal is returned in ďŹ ve years, for example, ination makes it worth less than the original amount you loaned. Similarly, rising interest rates cause the value of a bond to go down. Why would anyone buy a $10,000 bond paying 5%, when he could buy one paying 6% today? The Great Recession has resulted in a loss of faith in stocks accompanied by a massive move YOGa TO YOu seeks to share the ancient wisdom toward bonds. Bonds have become more expenfound in yoga, now widely embraced by integrated medicine that underscore the health benefits of yoga. sive because of their popularity. In the markets, when investors follow the crowd, the risk We take Yoga to individuals and groups in their of disappointment rises considerably. Recall private homes, or in assisted living centers, the recent trends with tech stocks and real nursing homes, independent living sites, and other estate. People believe bonds are a safe investresidential care facilities for older adults. ment, but they are not without risk. OverpayCall for a Free demonstration today! ing for them increases that risk. Dr. Melanie Hahn Next month: the psychology of investing in )NFO YOGA TO YOU COM s HTTP YOGA TO YOU COM what is popular.âœŚ s Stoffer is a Whistlestop Board member.
NUGGETS
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YOGa TO YOu
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The Whistle Stop Express November 2010
Photo Contest
WINNERS NATURE CATEGORY
ANIMALS CATEGORY
THIRD PLACE Jellyfish Montery Aquarium, Ann Rivo
THIRD PLACE African Elephants, Ann Rivo
FOURTH PLACE Antartic Guardian, Al Gustafson
FOURTH PLACE Nest Building, Al Gustafson
Photo Contest Winners’ Reception November 2
W
inning photographers in the second annual Whistlestop Photo Contest will be honored at a 6:30 pm reception Tuesday, November 2, at Whistlestop. Whistlestop is hosting the event and co-sponsoring it with Marin Acura. First, second, third and fourth
place award winners will be recognized. Family and friends of the winners are also invited. Wine, soft drinks and snacks will be served. Contest judges Terry Scussel and Mark Lindsay will be available to meet with the photographers. Joe O’Hehir, CEO of Whistlestop, will welcome
everyone to the event. First and second place winning photographs were presented in the October issue of the Whistlestop Express. The third and fourth place winners in each category are shown on these pages. Winning photos will be displayed at the reception. ✦ www.TheWhistleStop.org 13
Photo Contest
WINNERS TRAVEL CATEGORY
PEOPLE CATEGORY THIRD PLACE Girl in Red, Pat Wall
THIRD PLACE Puerto Montt, Chile, Steve Morey
FOURTH PLACE Antartic Ice, Al Gustafson FOURTH PLACE Old Man at Moroccan Market, Ann Rivo
IHSS Public Authority of Marin's Caregiver Forum November 10
Choosing contest winners at Whistlestop in September, from left, Judge Terry Scussell, judging session manager Rebecca Lack and Judge Mark Lindsay. 14
The Whistle Stop Express November 2010
Who: For all caregivers, both paid and unpaid Topic: How to establish healthy boundaries with your client or loved one When: Wednesday, November 10, 5-5:30pm, light refreshments; 5:30-7pm, program Where: Jackson CafĂŠ at Whistlestop, 930 Tamalpais Ave., San Rafael. Presenters include a seasoned caregiver, a geriatric nurse, a mental health practitioner, and an attorney who works with the elderly There is no charge for the program but RSVP appreciated: anahilda@pa-marin.org
Easy Ways to Give to
WHISTLESTOP (and Something Good for an Older Adult)
Y
ou can help Whistlestop Do Good Things For Older Adults in many ways. And, the effort is painless. Each month, in the Whistlestop Express, we will list some of the possibilities. Good Search – Simply go to GoodSearch. com, pick Whistlestop as yoru charity and every time you search the Internet using their search engine, Whistlestop gets a donation! GoodSearch is a search engine that donates 50 percent of its revenue to the charities and schools designated by its users. It’s a simple and compelling concept. You use GoodSearch exactly as you would any other search engine. Because it’s powered by Yahoo!, you get prov-
en search results. The money GoodSearch donates comes from its advertisers — the users and the organizations do not spend a dime! eScrip – eScrip has created a system that rewards customer loyalty by contributing a percentage of purchases made at participating stores to nonprofits. Go to eScrip.com, register, and pick Whistlestop as your charity. Then shop at the many participating stores. eScrip Recycling – Simply drop off your used laser toner, inkjet cartridges, used cell phones, digital cameras, iPods, GPS devices and laptops at Whistlestop’s front office and we will recycle them, and Whistlestop will receive a small donation. ✦
Marin Access Mobility Management Center Opened On October 1, 2010
N
ew center will aid in transportation for Marin’s older adults and persons with disabilities Marin Access Mobility Management Center, a new community based, transportation management center, opened on October 1, 2010. Sponsored by Marin Transit and operated by Whistlestop, the new center will coordinate transportation resources to meet the needs of Marin’s older adults and persons with disabilities. www.marintransit.org, www.thewhistlestop.org The first Marin Access service is a One-Stop Transportation Information & Referral to the various transportation programs available in
Marin – public, non-profit, and for-profit. This service will help callers identify which type of transportation will best meet their needs. The Marin Access website (under development) will also have a searchable database of transportation providers. Contact Marin Access at 415-454-0902. For questions about Marin Access or the Marin Mobility Consortium, contact Paul Branson, Community Mobility Manager for Marin Transit at 415-226-0863 - pbranson@ co.marin.ca.us or Jon Gaffney, Senior Manager of Transportation for Whistlestop at 415-4569062 X151 - jon.faffney@thewhistlestop.org. ✦
Join Us for Thanksgiving Feast
W
histlestop will host a Thanksgiving Day noontime meal with music on Thursday, November 25. The feast is being sponsored by the Mission San Rafael Rotary Club.
Reservations are required: 415-456-9062. We invite you to celebrate the holidays at a luncheon on December 8. Details on both events are featured in the list of events on pages 8 and 9. www.TheWhistleStop.org 15
Whistlestop E PRESS Marin Senior Coordinating Council 930 Tamalpais Avenue San Rafael, CA 94901-3325 TheWhistlestop.org
Get your estate plan together with our free organizer A place to store completed legal documents, the organizer also prepares you to create or update your will or living trust, providing clear deďŹ nitions of legal terms. The organizer also contains a checklist of accounts, assets, and instructions so your loved ones can easily ďŹ nd what they need in case of an emergency. When completed, the organizer lifts a burden from your loved ones at a time of great stress and can save them time and expense in this uncertain economy. Whistlestop is pleased to offer you a complimentary estate planning organizer. To receive your organizer, stop by our Active Aging Center at 930 Tamalpais Ave or contact Rebecca Lack at 415-456-9062 x121 or Rebecca.lack@thewhistlestop.org.
Organized estate plans are a solace to your family and can provide help to good causes like Whistlestop in your name. We welcome your call or email.
Whistlestop