Whistlestop JANUARY 2011
E PRESS
Whistlestop.org
The Leading Information Resource for Marin's Active Aging Movement
Jackson Café Menu Gets Extreme Makeover by JOHN BOWMAN
T
he Bay Area is renowned for its emphasis on healthy food, what with Alice Waters and Michael Pollan preaching and practicing their fresh food mantra and farmers markets drawing thousands of foodies every week to their stalls. In this issue, Whistlestop Express pays tribute to healthy eating, particularly for older adults. And we celebrate the new and healthier than ever menu at our Jackson Café, thanks to new management headed by Rocky Packard. The new café manager brings 32 years of experience in the food business to Whistlestop. Packard, 50, has operated his own restaurant in Santa Fe, NM, where he was born and grew up, and has been a regional executive chef for Andronico’s Community Markets. He comes to the Jackson Café as part of the new collaboration between Whistlestop and Homeward Bound (see Hunting Kestrel page 11
article on page 2). A Homeward Bound baker who went through the organization’s culinary school will soon join Packard at Whistlestop. “Lots more fresh food” was Packard’s answer to the question about what he brings to the café. “Much of what was served in the past was frozen or canned,” said Rocky Packard, new chef at Jackson Café, moving the café Packard. The to the next level. new menu feasaid. “One woman came up tures much more fresh food, to me and said she was so including homemade salad pleased with the enhancedressings. He has already ments that now she is a introduced more interesting menus, like the exquisite pork regular.” He also plans to “dress up” roast he served up recently. the dining room to make it Response to the changes has look brighter and more like been immediate – attendance a restaurant, and he is going at lunch has doubled in the to provide training for the past month. “We’re hearing volunteers. ✦ good things from diners,” he Grand Mom's Vegan Adventure page 13
Sudoku page 14
Table of
Whistlestop
CONTENTS 3 4 5 6 8/9 10 11 12 13 15
Readers Write In William Sagar Mystic Table Mark Lindsay Recipe of the Month Whistlestop Remembers At Whistlestop Whistlestop Activities Calendar The Bird's Side of Marin Richard Pavek Financial Nuggets Jeff Stoffer Grand Mom Audrey Mettel Fixmer Best of Marin for Older Adults Ballot
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 %VA "ROWN s *ANE ,OTT $EBBIE -ILLS s -ICHAEL 2ICE Whistlestop Express is a publication of the Marin Senior Coordinating Council, Inc. A 501 (c) 3 not-for-proďŹ t organization The Mission of Whistlestop: 4O PROMOTE THE INDEPENDENCE AND WELL BEING OF -ARIN #OUNTY S OLDER ADULTS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO enhance their quality of life. Whistlestop Contact Information Main Number 415-456-9062 Whistlestop Fax 415-456-2858 www.whistlestop.org Information & Referral OfďŹ ce 415-459-6700 s RESOURCE WHISTLESTOP ORG Whistlestop Express Editorial, Art Direction & Sales John & Val Bowman Editors s JOHN BOWMAN GMAIL COM Missy Reynolds Art Director mreynolds@paciďŹ csun.com Advertising Linda Black s 415-485-6700, Ext. 306 Whistlestop Express is printed on recycled paper To be added to, or taken off, the email list for Whistlestop Express, please call EXT /R SEND AN EMAIL WITH YOUR request, your name and address to ).&/ WHISTLESTOP ORG Subscriptions mailed to your home is $10/year.
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Whistlestop Express January 2011
PERSPECTIVE by JOE O'HEHIR Collaboration Key to Success for NonproďŹ ts
A
s we begin this New Year, 2011 promises to be another challenging one for Marin’s nonproďŹ ts. While we all limp through this slow economic recovery, demand for nonproďŹ t services continues to increase, especially services for the county’s most vulnerable populations. And, traditional funding streams continue to struggle to maintain their historical levels of ďŹ nancial support. Whistlestop has been focusing on one of the key successful strategies for surviving this tough economic environment, and that is program collaboration with other nonproďŹ ts in Marin. We have carefully evaluated each area of our programs and services, and have identiďŹ ed potential strategic collaborative partners where we can ďŹ nd mutually beneďŹ cial economies of skill and scale. As readers of Whistlestop Express newsletter, you have beneďŹ ted from our collaboration with the PaciďŹ c Sun weekly newspaper. This partnership has allowed us to continue the monthly publishing and distribution of the leading information resource for Marin’s Active Aging Movement. In this issue, you will read about our new collaboration with Homeward Bound of Marin. We are outsourcing the management and stafďŹ ng of the Jackson CafĂŠ to them.
We selected Homeward Bound because of their knowledge, skills, and expertise in operating food services programs, and in training individuals for job placement into restaurants, banquet, catering and food services organizations. They operate a state of the art “Fresh Starts Cooking Schoolâ€? at their Next Key Center in the Hamilton area of Novato. We have just completed a six year collaboration with Community Action Marin. We provided sub-leased space for CAM’s Central Kitchen program, and they were able to prepare and deliver over 500 meals daily to Marin’s lowincome school children. This collaboration allowed CAM to sustain and build this program, and, as a result, CAM has now been able to purchase their own kitchen. For the past two years, we have been collaborating with LightHouse of Marin for the Blind and Visually Impaired. LightHouse services empower people of all ages who are visually impaired to lead safe, active and independent lives. We have provided their Marin program with subleased ofďŹ ce. Whistlestop is collaborating with the Marin Village project by serving as their nonproďŹ t ďŹ scal sponsor. MV’s mission is to enable older adults living in Marin County to age within their own homes with grace, Continued on page 6
Readers
WRITE IN b y W I L L I A M A Cat’s Heaven …
SAGAR
D
ear Editors: I came across this story recently and I thought you might find it amusing and worth repeating. Regards, William Sagar, Secretary, historian, archivist, editor, Fairfax Historical Society
S
t. Peter is standing at heaven’s pearly gates when a cat shows up. “You were a loving cat on earth,” says St. Peter. “So I want to give you one special thing you have always wanted.” “Well, I did always want a nice satin pillow like my master had, so I could lie on it.” “That’s easy,” St. Peter replies. “We will have a satin pillow ready for you.” Next, a family of mice appears at the pearly gates. St. Peter says, “Ah, I remember you. You were good mice. You didn’t steal food from anyone’s home and never hurt other animals. Therefore, I want to grant you one special wish.” Father mouse replies, “Well, we always watched the children skating and it looked like fun. Could we each have some skates, please?” “Granted. You shall have your wish.” The next day, St. Peter sees the cat sunning itself on the pillow. “Well, cat, how’s the satin pillow? ” “Absolutely wonderful,” cat replies, “And say, those ‘Meals on Wheels’ were an extra touch, too.” ✦
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Commission on Aging Meeting The January meeting of the Marin County Commission on Aging will be from 10 to 11 am Thursday, January 13, at the Picklewood Community Center. The topic is "Advancing Senior Mobility." For more information: 415-473-7118 or www.co.marin.ca.us/aging. www.Whistlestop.org 3
can eat at one sitting. According to our scenario, you’ll roast them all, following the general roasting instructions in this month’s recipe. We’ll make a delightful beet salad this month with some of your beets. Next month we’ll take the rest and do something entirely different with them. This will teach you how to make a salad and then a quick leftover meal. Since we can’t fast-forward to next month’s column, and I don’t want to confuse things, the actual recipe quantities for the beets are speciďŹ c to each recipe. But don’t wait until next month to cook up some extra beets. You can always make good use of them after storing them in the fridge. After next month’s recipe, feel free to combine the quantities of the two recipes and cook them all at once. âœŚ
The Mystic
TABLE
b y M A R K L I N D S AY
Beets, Glorious Beets
“T
hey taste like nothing but dirt to me,â€? proclaimed my dear friend when the topic of beets came up one time around an Arizona campďŹ re. Shocked, I almost fell into the ďŹ re. I salivate at the thought of beets and can eat them most every day. Sadly, I don’t think many share my passion. I fear that most people would agree with my friend’s prejudice against the beet, probably because they haven’t eaten them fresh, after roasting them in the oven. Most beets that are consumed in America have been canned or pickled. Yet, a
roasted, fresh beet is one of life’s most wonderful delights. And, beets are loaded with nutrition. Originally cultivated for their leaves, now both the leaves and their swollen roots are eaten. One might eat them together, or in separate dishes. We’ll address beet greens in a separate column; for now we’ll concentrate on beet roots. Just know that you can cook beet greens just like any other leafy green. Be sure to wash them well. We don’t want anything beet-like tasting like dirt. We’ll assume that you’ve come into the possession of lots of beets, more than you
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The Whistlestop Express January 2011
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Recipe of
THE MONTH Roasted Beet Salad with Walnuts
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his is a very simple recipe but quite perfect as is. For variety, you can add some small, boiled-and-sliced new potatoes or some crumbled goat cheese. Serves 4. 8 fresh beets, medium-sized 1/2 cup walnuts, whole salt, to taste freshly ground black pepper, to taste extra virgin olive oil red wine vinegar Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Cut the leaves and root end from the beets and wash them thoroughly. Discard the leaves or use them in another dish. Wrap the beets tightly in aluminum foil -- it’s best to make 2 packages of 4 beets each -- and bake them for about an hour. Test the beets with a skewer. Once they are soft and well-cooked, remove them from the oven, open the foil packages and let them cool to the touch. Peel them and slice them crosswise into 1/8 inch slices. Put them into a large salad bowl. Break the walnuts into large pieces with your hands. Add them to the beets. Add a generous pinch or two of salt and several liberal grindings of black pepper to the bowl. Gently toss the beets a couple of times. Drizzle some extra virgin olive oil onto the beets, enough to make them glisten when tossed, and again toss them gently. Add a drizzle of vinegar, about 1/3 the amount of the olive oil you used, and toss the beets gently one last time. Taste and correct for olive oil, vinegar, salt and/or pepper. Serve while the beets are still slightly warm. âœŚ Mark Lindsay, MFA, is a food writer, artist and former Whistlestop Board member.
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Whistlestop REMEMBERS
by John Bowman
Marc Laviale, Whistlestop’s Popular Finance Manager, Remembered
W
histlestop Board of Directors and staff were saddened in November by the unexpected death of a popular colleague, Marc Laviale, the organization’s Finance Manager. Marc joined Whistlestop in January 2003 as a driver in Whistlestop’s transportation department. He became the Eligibility Coordinator in February 2005. Marc then moved over to become the Staff Accountant in July 2006, and he received the Employee of the Year award in 2008. Marc was promoted to the position of Finance Manager in June 2009. Joe O’Hehir, CEO of Whistlestop, said, “All of us who worked with Marc knew him as a hard working and dedicated member of our staff. His smile and easy-going style will truly be missed. Our staff went through a very difficult time in the weeks following Marc’s passing. They all demonstrated courage, compassion and pulled together, which helped in the healing process. Lynne Bender, Human Resources Manager, provided free and confidential grief counseling. Marc was a husband and proud father of two boys. His family held a private service. ✦
Beverley Jackson, Longtime Whistlestop Donor, Dies
B
everley Jackson passed away peacefully on November 15, in Santa Rosa, surrounded by her family. Beverley, the youngest of four children, was born in Adin, California on May 28, 1927 to Ira and Fern Nelson. At 17, she moved to Sacramento where she began working in banking, and later continued in banking in San Francisco. In 1964, she became a court reporter for the superior court of San Rafael. In 1965, she married H.C. Jackson and together they built Jackson’s Hardware in San Rafael. Beverley was an accomplished painter, lover of literature, avid reader, and devoted golfer, however what she enjoyed most was spending time with her family. Beverley and her husband H.C. have been generous donors to numerous charities in Marin. “The Jacksons have made significant contributions to Whistlestop over the years,” noted CEO Joe O'Hehir. “In particular, they have had a special interest in our food services program. Thanks to the Jackson's generosity, we have been able to serve nutritious, low-cost meals to older adults in our Jackson Café, appropriately named in their honor.” ✦
Continued from page 2 confidence, and peace of mind. Our collaboration with Marin Village provides an opportunity for Whistlestop to geographically distribute our programs and service directly into the local neighborhoods where our clients live. In the area of fundraising, we collaborate with three other agencies, North Bay Children’s Center, Sunny Hills Services, and the Godmothers of St. Vincent’s Timothy Murphy School for Boys, 6
Whistlestop Express January 2011
as well as with Marin County Board Supervisor Hal Brown and his Foundation Board, to host the annual Marin Valentine’s Ball Charity event. Whistlestop was started as the Marin Senior Coordinating Council and is proud to continue collaborating with our fellow nonprofit agencies to meet our mission of ending loneliness and isolation for Marin County's older adults and people with disabilites. ✦
Whistlestop
EVENT Find the right place for your loved one or for yourself
Beth Ashley and Rowland Fellows at the 2010 Ball
Whistlestop 1 of 4 NonproďŹ ts to BeneďŹ t from Valentine’s Ball
T
he Nile River, one of the most exotic and romantic places in the world, comes to San Rafael on Saturday, February 12, for the 15th annual Marin Valentine’s Ball and Whistlestop is one of the beneďŹ ciaries of this elegant event. “A Night on the Nileâ€? is the theme of this year’s ball at the Marin Civic Center’s Exhibit Hall. Conceived and started in 1996 by Marin County Supervisor, Hal Brown, this has become Marin’s premiere fundraising and social event of the season. “It’s a four-for-one package,â€? said Ashley Hurd, event coordinator for the ball. â€œâ€Ś an opportunity to support four deserving Marin nonproďŹ ts in one event.â€? BeneďŹ ciaries besides Whistlestop are: North Bay Children’s Center, Sunny Hills Services and Godmothers of the Timothy Murphy School for Boys. Hurd added, “There is no other event quite like this in Marin, where you have a chance to help four charities that form a safety net for those most in need, while enjoying a complete evening – hosted cocktail party, sit-down dinner, live and silent auctions and dancing to a live band.â€? Music will be provided by the popular 80's cover band, Notorious. Hurd said that the event grossed $274,000 last year, attended by 450 people. Hartman Studios will transform the Exhibit Hall at the Civic Center into “A Night on the Nile.â€? Tickets to the black tie optional event are $250 each. For more information or to order tickets, call 415-883-6222 or email cgreen@ nbcc.net. The ball has its own website at www.marinvalentinesball.org. âœŚ
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Keep Learning at
WHISTLESTOP LEVEL I COMPUTER CLASS 4UESDAYS *ANUARY &EBRUARY s TO NOON &RIDAYS *ANUARY &EBRUARY s TO NOON Computer Room | Fee: $60/6 wks. )NSTRUCTOR Mike Kress (Tues) & Letitia Sanders (Fri) Registration required: call LEVEL II COMPUTER CLASS 4HURSDAYS *ANUARY -ARCH s TO NOON Computer Room | Fee: $60/6 wks. | )NSTRUCTOR Ed Essick Prerequisite: Level I Computer Class Registration: call BEGINNING COMPUTER/PICTURE CLASS ST ND &RIDAY s TO PM Computer Room | Fee: $15 | )NSTRUCTOR Gene Dyer Prerequisite: Basic Computer Skills Pre-registration required: call 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 and cable. ADVANCED COMPUTER/PICTURE CLASS RD &RIDAY s TO PM Computer Room | Fee: $15 | )NSTRUCTOR Gene Dyer Prerequisite: Basic Computer Skills Register: call Learn how to Tell a Picture Story on computer monitors and TVs in slide shows, using Word, PDF, PowerPoint Presentations and movie formats. AARP DRIVER SAFETY PROGRAM AT WHISTLESTOP 3ATURDAY &EBRUARY s TO PM Information and to register: call Sharpen your driving skills through the AARP Driver Safety program. This course was developed to help drivers 50 years or older adjust to age-related changes in vision, hearing and reaction time. Medication and its effects on driving will also be addressed. At the end of this course a certificate of completion, which may save you money on auto insurance, will be given. 2%-%-"2!.#% 72)4).' 7/2+3(/0 The Easy Way to Write and Share the Stories of Your Life 4HURSDAYS s TO PM | Board Room | Fee: $5 &ACILITATOR Claudia Carroll | Register: call YOU have a story to tell because you have LIVED LIFE! Share your remembrance stories with others in the workshop, then with friends and family. Write about your grandparents, parents, brothers and sisters, your school 8
The Whistlestop Express December 2010
chums and even your pets! Write about your hopes and dreams that came true, and the ones you are still dreaming up! All you need is a notebook with lined paper (a 3-ring notebook with lined paper and divider inserts is best) and pens or pencils. The sessions will be on-going, so come every week, or drop in whenever you can. !$6!.#%$ 2%-%-"2!.#% 72)4).' AND SELF-PUBLISHING WORKSHOP 7EDNESDAYS STARTING *ANUARY s TO PM Board Room | Fee: $5 | &ACILITATOR Claudia Carroll Learn fun and exciting ways to write and share the stories of your life. Meet new creative friends. Email address and familiarity with sending emails required. Word processing ability helpful. Please bring 3-ring notebook to first class. For information: call or email cjcarrollbooks@yahoo.com Registration required: call IMPROVING THE EMOTIONAL QUALITY OF ,)&% !3 7% !'% 3%.)/23 2%3/52#% &/254HURSDAY *ANUARY s TO PM Jackson Café | Free 0RESENTERS Seniors Resource Forum #O 3PONSORS Marinlink and Whistlestop Registration required: call or It’s time to take care of ourselves and concentrate on our own inner well being. As we grow older, how can we increase our emotional quality of life? Find out what it takes to get more satisfaction out of each day, and learn the five important steps to take to achieve this goal. Following the presentation, you will have the opportunity to meet privately (FREE) with our experts, one-on-one with your questions about affordable housing, estate and Medi-Cal planning, family legal issues, geriatric care management, geriatric psychological issues, home care, long-term care and Medicare insurance financial planning. Light refreshments will be served.
3UDOKU
ANSWERS
OSTEOPOROSIS EDUCATION & BONE HEALTH INFORMATION Your Bones Support You; Come and Hear How You Can Support Them *ANUARY s PM s &REE 0RESENTER Kate McElroy-Fullerton, PA-C Registration: call GET FREE TAX HELP! &EBRUARY TO !PRIL Whistlestop and Novato’s Margaret Todd Senior Center Schedule appointments starting January 24: call Whistlestop is offering a free tax service by IRS-certified tax preparers for people with basic, uncomplicated tax situations to help them file their 2010 tax returns. DID YOU KNOW MEDICARE WILL PAY FOR YOUR DIABETIC SHOES? Free Diabetic Shoe Clinic at Whistlestop *ANUARY s PM | Jackson Café 0RESENTER Golden Years Medical Registration required: Properly fitted therapeutic shoes are critical to protecting sensitive feet. Shoes designed specifically for diabetic feet help prevent blisters, sores and skin breakdown. Certain features not found in ordinary shoes, such as extra depth and width, help provide a proper fit and prevent the development of unwanted foot complications. Care for your diabetic feet at NO COST TO YOU! Our program includes FREE fitting and measurement, we will process your paperwork with your doctor and bill Medicare, we will mold your shoe insoles in-house, and your feet can get relief within a week. MOVEMENT AND MUSIC FOR THE /,$%2 !$5,4 ! 5.)6%23!, ,!.'5!'% -ONDAYS *ANUARY -ARCH s TO NOON )NSTRUCTOR Susan Van Buskirk Registration required: call or through College of Marin This exercise class is created for older adults who have not been exercising regularly or have arthritis related problems. It moves at a moderate, comfortable (yet progressively challenging) pace to meet individual needs. Chair exercises (to tone both upper and lower body muscles) will comprise a major portion of the class. Also included: joint flexibility, muscle strengthening, balance, breathing coordination and modified Tai Chi movements, combined with relaxing music, conducive to reducing stress. CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR! 4HURSDAY *ANUARY s NOON TO PM Jackson Café | Fee: $6 for older adults, $9 under 60
Reservations required: call Please join us for a delicious meal and live entertainment by "All Folked Up." -9 ,)&% -9 #(/)#%3 Planning Today for Future Healthcare Decisions 4UESDAY *ANUARY s TO AM Free | Reservations required: call Hospice by the Bay is pleased to offer a community education program about advance care planning to equip individuals with the information needed to make informed decisions. Learn about: Advance care planning to ensure your healthcare wishes will be known and respected, how to choose the right person to make decisions on your behalf, and communicating your values and goals regarding medical treatment choices. Attendees receive a packet of resources, forms and practical information.
Transportation Numbers Scheduling Rides: 454-0964 Cancelling Rides: 457-4630 Eligibility Coordinator, Janet Van Rijsbergen 454-0964, ext. 160
janet.vanrijsbergen@whistlestop.org
A Year of Fun that Benefits Whistlestop! Northern California 2011 What’s Happening Calendar Featuring 500 Festivals & Events s 345 with Live Music 248 Free Events s 72 Farmer’s Markets 68 Dog-Friendly Events
50% of the proceeds are donated to Whistlestop when you write WS after your name!
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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 TBD Caboose/Café Caboose
472-6020 for info Open Open Jan 24th-May 18th 454-0998 for info
Free Free Free Free Free
TUESDAYS
TIME
This Month at Whistlestop
9:00–2:00 PM 9:15–10:30 AM 10:45–11:45 AM 1:00–3:00 PM 2:00–3:30 PM
Senior Asian Group Whistlesizers Cardio Exercise Spanish Class English Conversation
Caboose Caboose Caboose Caboose Board Room
454-1552 for info Open Open Open 454-0998 for info
Free $2 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 2:00–4:00 PM
Tai Chi Qigong Seniors' Circle Computer Lab Senior Persian Group Corazón Latino ESL Adv. Remembr. Writing
Caboose Board Room Computer Lab Lounge Caboose Caboose/Café Board Room
Suggested Donation Open Open 472-6020 for info Open Jan 24th-May 18th Open
$10 Free Free Free Free Free $5
9:00–2:00 PM 9:15–10:30 AM 2:00-3:30 PM 2:00–3:00 PM 2:00–4:00 PM 2:15–3:15 PM
Senior Asian Group Whistlesizers English Conversation Vietn.Citizenship Remembrance Writing Chair Yoga
Caboose Caboose Caboose Caboose Board Room Jackson Café
454-1552 for info Open 454-0998 for info 454-1552 for info Open Open
Free $2 Free Free $5 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 $6.75 Turkey Sandwich $4.00 Soup $2.00 Hamburger $5.25 Pizza $5.00 Salads $4.00
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60+ PRICES Main Entrée Turkey Sandwich Soup Hamburger Pizza Salads
$4.00 $3.00 $1.50 $4.25 $4.00 $2.50
Whistlestop Express January 2011
OTHER ITEMS Tuna Salad Side Fresh Fruit Cup Desserts Beverages
$1.25 $1.00 $1.50 $1.00
The Bird's Side
OF MARIN
b y R I C H A R D PAV E K
(Top, right) Female dives for prey. (Bottom) “A cricket for lunch”
Too small for a Hawk?
T
his beautiful bird, a young adult male Kestrel, is the smallest of the falcon family of raptors. You’ll see Kestrels perched on telephone or power lines, where you are not likely to find Hawks. They also perch on fence posts and tall poles where they look mostly for large insects such as grasshoppers, potato bugs, crickets. (A bit of green, a bit of brown, a bit
of black supply varied antioxidants, you know.) I’ve noticed more Kestrels this year than in the last few, all across the North Bay from San Rafael to Lodi. Don’t know why, but the food supply must be OK or they would have moved on. Kestrels are easier to watch than Hawks. Hawks will leave and fly a long way off as soon as you get out of your car. But Kestrels are used to moving up and down the length of the power lines and then back again. So, if you think
you have scared one away, just wait, he or she will likely be back soon. Watching their sudden dives and captures followed by the flight back to where they started, with their prey in their tiny beaks, is well worth the short wait. See more about Kestrels at: www.RichardsBirdBlog.com. If you’d like to be on my weekly bird email list, just let me know at SHENmaker@MSN. com. ✦ ‘Till next time, Richard www.Whistlestop.org 11
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by JEFF STOFFER, CFA, CFP®
Bonds: Too Much of a Good Thing? (Part III)
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n previous installments of this series, we’ve seen that bonds have become the vehicle of choice as nervous investors seek safety after a decade of poor stock returns. And, as more investors flock toward the same investments, those investments tend to become more risky. We raised the possibility that bonds could become the next bubble. Now we examine the question, “Do I have too much invested in bonds?” One framework for answering it lies in evaluating an investor’s asset allocation -- the percentage he or she owns in each of the major investment categories. Establishing target percentages for each category (cash, bonds, stocks and real estate) is the most crucial decision an investor has to make. The percentages in each category will reflect the investor’s ability to take risk, his specific goals and how much the portfolio is likely to grow over time. A more conservative, slower-growth approach will contain more cash and bonds, and less stock and real estate. Rule of thumb: subtract your age from 100 suggests the percentage you should hold in stocks. A person retiring at age 65 would hold a target of 35 percent stocks. We’ll assume this person’s asset allocation is 35 percent stocks and 65 percent bonds. If stocks decline in value while bonds rise, the investor’s holdings in bonds may far exceed the targeted amount. Rebalancing, by selling bonds and buying stocks, would bring the percentages of each investment back in line with targets. Comparing the amount of bonds you own with your target percentage is one way to answer the question, “Do I have too much of my investments in bonds?” Rebalancing is a key concept that brings discipline to the investment process. It forces us to take profits from investments that have done well, while directing us to put money into investments that haven’t done well. In essence, it guides us to buy low and sell high. Isn’t that really the point, after all? Next month: “Is there a bond bubble or not?” ✦ Jeff Stoffer is a Whistlestop Board member.
12
Whistlestop Express January 2011
Grand
MOM by AUDREY METTEL FIXMER
Are You a Foodie?
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experienced one of those “Aha! Momentsâ€? while reading an article by Lisa Miller appearing in a recent issue of Newsweek. She titled the cover article, “The Dinner Divide.â€? It appropriately labeled an uncomfortable feeling I have had for some time now as I experienced this division ďŹ rst hand in my own family, where a few people have been vegetarians for the past few years. That was okay; we adapted nicely to their choices, making sure there were substantial meatless dishes for them when we gathered for holidays. We applauded their ability to resist our steaks, ribs, turkeys and sausage, jokingly saying, “That leaves more for us.â€? Now, however, we have added a new element to our family gatherings. A few of them are now vegans. More restrictions! No eggs or dairy? There goes most of the vegetarian dishes we happily made, loaded with cheese or eggs. They have sweetly assured us, “Don’t worry. We will bring our own food.â€? But doesn’t that defeat the purpose of a communal meal? The subtitle of the Newsweek story is “How Our Foodie Obsession Is Driving Americans Apart.â€? That hits the proverbial nail on the head. Miller has labels for a variety of “foodiesâ€? occupying our neighborhoods. She calls herself a “food snobâ€? eating expensive cheeses and homemade bread. A nutritionist neighbor drinks a protein shake while her son has a quinoa porridge. Another neighbor eats fresh eggs from the chickens in her “city backyard.â€? She’s a “locavore.â€? Sadly, less than ďŹ ve miles away, some children don’t have enough to eat, and those who have less ironically are the most obese, not because they are uneducated, but because sugary, processed foods are the cheapest and best tasting. I am happy to say that my family has always been nutrition conscious, making good choices for the most part. They are great cooks and I need never worry about going hungry when I visit them. Vegan style is simply another adventure to keep life interesting. âœŚ Audrey, mother of 10, has been publishing her column in the Madison, WI, Diocesan Catholic Herald for 15 years.
HEALTH CARE CONNECTION
415 4572256 www.HealthCareConnectionLLC.com www.Whistlestop.org 13
A place to celebrate each moment. “Residents are the heart of our community.�
Whistlestop and Pitney Bowes Offer Free Shredding on Jan. 24
W Assisted Living | Memory Care
515 Northgate Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903
415.233.6199
www.almaviaofsanrafael.org AlmaVia of San Rafael, an Elder Care Alliance community is cosponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas West Midwest Community & the Sierra Pacific Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. RCFE Lic # 216801868.
histlestop is offering free shredding on Monday, January 24th, from 9:00 am to noon in Whistlestop's parking lot. Consumer identity theft and fraud are becoming an epidemic in our communities. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)estimates that as many as 10 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. The FTC recommends that you shred ďŹ nancial documents and paperwork containing any personal information before you discard them. The Pitney Bowes Mobile Shred truck will be parked next to Whistlestop's building. Workers will be available to help and there is no charge for the shredding. Pitney Bowes will recycle all shredded material. What will be shredded: Include: All conďŹ dential papers, brochures, pamphlets, manila ďŹ le folders, magazines, printer/copier paper, stationery, adding machine tape, photos, Post-Its, computer print-outs, envelopes. Do not include: food/wet waste, food containers, metal or glass containers, plastic and Styrofoam containers and material, tapes, discs, ash drives, hard drives, toner cartridges, plastic bags, ring binders, hanging folders, plastic ďŹ le folders. âœŚ
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14
Whistlestop Express January 2011
-EDIUM
To solve the Sudoku, each square in the grid must contain a number between one and nine, with the following conditions: s %ACH ROW OF NINE CELLS MUST CONTAIN EACH OF THE NUMBERS FROM TO ONCE AND ONLY ONCE s %ACH COLUMN OF NINE CELLS MUST CONTAIN EACH OF THE NUMBERS FROM TO ONCE AND ONLY ONCE s %ACH OF THE NINE BY BOXES OF NINE CELLS MUST CONTAIN EACH OF THE NUMBERS FROM TO ONCE AND ONLY ONCE !NSWERS ON PAGE
Best Of Marin Cast Your Ballot for Best of Marin for Older Adults
Seafood _____________________________________ Deli _________________________________________ Coffee/Tea ___________________________________
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BEST ENTERTAINMENT
our favorite pizza restaurant may be a mom and pop shop off the beaten track, but you always go there. You’ve tried many others, but this one is the best. Now you can vote for that place in Whistlestop’s second annual Best of Marin for Older Adults. The choices are fewer than last year’s because you, the readers, told us we had way too many categories in 2010. So, write in your choices, tell us your name and where you are from. Then, put your ballot in the donor envelope in this issue. Mark “Best of Marin” on the outside of the envelope, put a stamp on it and mail or drop off your ballot at Whistlestop, 930 Talmalpais Ave., San Rafael, CA 94901. Ballots must be received at Whistlestop no later than Saturday, January 15.
BEST RESTAURANTS Breakfast ___________________________________ Brunch______________________________________ Lunch_______________________________________ Dinner ______________________________________ Bakery ______________________________________ Take-Out____________________________________ Most Economical _____________________________ American ___________________________________ Asian _______________________________________ Mexican _____________________________________ Italian ______________________________________ Vegan/Vegetarian ____________________________ Sushi _______________________________________
BEST SPECIALTY FOOD Burger ______________________________________ Hotdog ______________________________________ Burrito ______________________________________ Salad Bar ___________________________________ Buffet _______________________________________ Pizza________________________________________ Ice Cream/Yogurt ____________________________
Live Theater _________________________________ Street Festival _______________________________ Art Gallery __________________________________
BEST SHOPPING Supermarket ________________________________ Clothing Store _______________________________ Consignment Shop ___________________________ Shoe Store ___________________________________ Gifts for Children ____________________________ Pet Store ____________________________________ Bookstore ___________________________________ USED Bookstore _____________________________ Florist Shop _________________________________ Hair Salon __________________________________
BEST RECREATION/WORKOUT Gym/Health Club ____________________________ Golf Course __________________________________ Hiking Trail _________________________________
MISCELLANEOUS Continuing Ed Classes________________________ Computer Classes ____________________________ Park ________________________________________ Dog Park ____________________________________ Assisted Living Facility _______________________ Spa/Massage ________________________________ Bank _______________________________________ Dance Venue_________________________________ Senior Social Group __________________________ Beach _______________________________________ One Ballot per Person Your Name __________________________________ City _________________________________________ www.Whistlestop.org 15
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