Whistlestop JUNE 2011
Whistlestop.org
E PRESS The Leading Information Resource for Marin's Active Aging Movement
Marin Landscapes Provide Artist With a Wide Canvas
J
an Buscho of San Rafael is grateful to have Marin as a canvas for her evocative oil paintings. “This area where I live – Marin County – has captured my imagination and has inspired me to paint a lot,” she says. “I will always keep at it until I get bored and I’m not even close to being bored. This is an ever-changing landscape – the lighting and seasons. Most of what I paint is along the Marin coast.” Jan has a Master’s degree in Transpersonal Psychology and Marketing, and is a trained graphic designer, but has never been far from painting. Currently she is Director of Marketing and Communications at Holy Names High School in Oakland. Her job is to market the school to girls interested in receiving a strong private secondary education. Her graphic design skills come in handy as she designs posters, brochures and other material used in that effort. Jan also is on the board of the Squaw Valley Writers. She has worked in ceramics and painted pastels in the past, but in 2001 began
oil painting. A favorite piece of hers, “Beyond the Farm,” was on exhibit during the month of May at the Falkirk Cultural Center, San Rafael. It was part of a juried show featuring Bay Area artists. “The inspiration for ‘Beyond the Farm’ was a workshop at Tomales Bay. We were invited to walk on beautiful farm property there and the result (White House Photograph by David Hume Kennerly)
Rocky Packard page 4
Jan Buscho of San Rafael with one of her oil paintings of a Marin scene.
News Cameraman from Marin page 5
for me was this painting.” Jan also has exhibited her work at the Novato YMCA and at Tulley’s Coffee Shop at Town Center in Corte Madera. In mid-May, she and her husband, Bob, who is an avid gardener, hosted one of the Marin Open Studios, calling their exhibit “Art and the Garden.” When not working at her day continued on page 12
The Bird's Side of Marin page 11
Table of
CONTENTS 3 4 5 6 7 8/9 10 11 12 13 15
Claudia's Students Write From Rocky's Pantry Rocky Packard Filming the News Kay Ryan Wins Pulitzer Vicky's Crafty Class At Whistlestop Whistlestop Activities The Bird's Side of Marin Richard Pavek Randall Golf Tournament Scussel Photography Brain Teasers Dr. Gary Gruber
Marin Senior Coordinating Council, Inc. 930 Tamalpais Avenue San Rafael, CA 94901 Chief Executive Officer, Joe O’Hehir Board of Directors President, Dennis Thompson Vice President, Terry Scussel Chief Financial Officer, Jeff Stoffer Secretary, Michael Hingson Karen Arnold • Claudia Fromm • Jane Lott Debbie Mills • Michael Rice • Bill Saul Whistlestop Express is a publication of the Marin Senior Coordinating Council, Inc. A 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization The Mission of Whistlestop: To promote the independence and well-being of Marin County’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 Office 415-459-6700 • resource@whistlestop.org Whistlestop Express Editorial, Art Direction & Sales John & Val Bowman Editors 916-751-9189 • john.bowman58@gmail.com Missy Reynolds Art Director mreynolds@pacificsun.com Advertising Linda Black • 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 415-456-9062, ext. 141. Or send an email, with your request, your name and address to INFO@whistlestop.org. Subscriptions mailed to your home are $10/year.
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Whistlestop Express June 2011
Whistlestop
PERSPECTIVE b y J O H N B O W M A N ‘I Believe in Whistlestop’ Says Popular Art Teacher
H
ilda Hensley enjoys sharing her gifts and talents with others to help enrich their lives. One way she does that is with the painting class she teaches at Whistlestop, one of the active aging center’s most popular attractions. “I believe in Whistlestop,” Hilda says. She believes it is a Hilda (far left) at one of her classes with Shirley Young of great organization Novato, Pam Reddy, CNA, from San Anselmo, and Virginia West, San Anselmo. and she is delighted to volunteer by teachworked for 27 years at the ing art every ThursGoldwater Department Store day morning. She emphasizes there, in the beauty salon. watercolor, but also teaches She moved when her parents pencil drawing and acrylic needed care. She quit her job painting. “I’ve taught it all,” she says, “But I encourage the and sold her house in Phoenix and moved to Texas to care for students to do watercolor. I her parents. “It was a good dealso encourage them to bring cision,” she said, “Because I retheir own paints.” Her students are all women, ally loved my parents.” Now she cares for her 90-year-old sister, “Nice ladies,” Hilda calls who lives with her in Marin. them. Most of the time they Several of Hilda’s own walearn to paint greeting cards tercolors hang on the walls at and usually they finish their Whistlestop. “Some of them painting projects in class. are for sale,” says Hilda, “And Most of her students come to I told them at the front desk class every week. How long has she been paint- that if anyone buys those ing? “Oh, years and years,” she paintings, I want to just donate all of the money to Whissays, laughing, “Almost forever.” She also taught painting tlestop. And if that happens, I will replace those paintings at the Aldersley Retirement with new ones.” Community in San Rafael. As Hilda says, “I believe in Hilda lived in Phoenix in Whistlestop,” and this is just the early years and taught one more way she contributes painting there as well. She to the center. ✦
Courage: a Vision of Creativity – Quotes from Whistlestop Class
Helping You Maintain Your Independence
by CLAUDIA CARROLL
T
eaching Remembrance Writing 101 at Whistlestop for Active Aging Center, I’ve come to feel that creativity is not limited to the arts, but rather is looking at your life and life around you through the magic lens of courage. Recently, I asked workshoppers to share their visions of creativity. Following are their brief but eloquent comments: Creativity is my escape into a special private time where only my thoughts are allowed entrance. ~ Martha Bartlett Being creative is when you don’t let anyone or anything distract you from creating something very special. ~ Christina van de Ples-Nau Creativity is reading inside yourself and allowing an idea, an image, a word, to pop up to the surface, then exploring it freely, joyfully in a form you love: writing, painting, dancing, singing. ~ Eloise Rivera Being creative is being alive a little longer than the ordinary. ~ Murray Creativity is an instinct born into every human being … just as important as the instinct for survival. ~ Chuck Kent Being creative means consciously absorbing the internals and externals that life brings and expressing what comes to you in your wholly unique style. ~ Molly Light Creativity does not require an exotic locale or life. Being creative in writing means writing from your heart with love and honesty. ~ Orietta Hardy-Sayles. Being creative means expressing one’s inner voice, emanating from the heart & soul of one’s being, through writing, playing an instrument, composing, painting… whatever moves you. ~ Barbara Brenhan Creativity brings out the essence of the soul. Creativity is the essence of the soul. ~ Susan Leonard Creativity is the limitless possibilities of personal expression through art, music, writing, dance & anything that conveys continued on page 12
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Can you spare a few hours a week to drive an older adult to their appointments or grocery shopping? Whistlestop is hosting a Volunteer Driver/ Rider Networking Party for anyone over 18 who would like to be a volunteer driver for older adults. The party will be Thursday, June 23 from 4 to 5 pm at Whistlestop, 930 Tamalpais Ave., San Rafael. Potential drivers will meet older adults who have not been able find a volunteer driver. As a volunteer driver, not only will you be helping people in your community, you will also receive reimbursement to cover gas costs. To sign up to attend the Networking Party, or for more information about the program, please call 454-0969. Or look up “Volunteer Driver Programâ€? at www.marinaccess.org. âœŚ
Two Marin Men Recall Exciting Days of Film-making, News Coverage
E
ditor’s Note: In a 37year newspaper career as a reporter, columnist and editor, I had the opportunity to interview countless interesting personalities, including a few famous ones. But two of the most interesting people I've ever encountered live right here in Marin County. They are Skip Brown and Harris Cohen, whose love of their work and long careers filming newsmakers and events make for compelling reading. The two men partnered at one time on several independent video projects. Their stories follow, in the form of two interviews. I hope our readers enjoy their stories as much as I have. —John Bowman, co-editor, Whistlestop Express Photo credit: The photo on page one of President Gerald Ford and Skip Brown in the Oval Office, is an official White House photograph by David Hume Kennerly. Skip Brown, age 66, San Rafael: Whistlestop: How long have you been a videographer with CBS? Brown: I started in 1964, and I’m still at it, so that is 46 years. I’m actually a news cameraman and that covers film, then video, and now cards, such as Sony Ex-1. There is no film or videotape. WS: What changes have you seen in the business over the years? Brown: The business has changed drastically. I still can cover stories (e.g. if the Big One hits) but there isn’t the demand for us because the financial picture has changed so greatly for
the networks. Right now there doesn’t appear to be any money for our work on the Internet. WS: What drew you to this work? Brown: I started in television while I was in colMorning aftermath from North Vietnamese assault on US Army lege — the early Firebase III in Tay Ninh province 1969-American 1st Air Cavalry troops treating NVA soldiers wounded during overnight human wave years when assault. CBS Cameraman is Skip Brown of Marin. Soundman is Mai color film and small portable Van Duc. Correspondent was Tony Sargent (not shown). cameras were with Bill Kurtis — they all being used. Those were the rank right at the top. golden years for network TV WS: How is your life now in San news. Everything we did was Rafael? new; then, the technology changed completely in 1980 — Brown: I’m writing a memoir live coverage from trucks and about the changes in network videotape replaced film. Since news, producing some specific 2000 it’s changed again — cell projects, and hoping to train phone coverage, Skype interand raise Labrador retrievers. views, palmcorders and citizen At some point, I’d love to teach journalists. the principles of journalism that this country cannot afford to WS: What were some of your favorite projects? Where did you lose, no matter what. work? Brown: Believe it or not, coverHarris Cohen, age 74, ing Vietnam was perhaps the Fairfax: best part of my long career. WS: Are you still working as a Many stories come to mind. videographer? Producing and shooting stoCohen: What I have been doing ries for Charles Kuralt and since my retirement in 2000 is his Sunday Morning broadmaking a variety of video procast were the most satisfying. ductions ranging from a concert Working for 60 Minutes with DVD for Zydeco bandleader Mike Wallace, Morley Safer, Tom Rigney to a short rap video Ed Bradley and Dan Rather, about my hometown, Fairfax. doing docs for CBS Reports The majority of my work has with Bill Moyers and Howard been the pro bono production Stringer, working worldwide of fundraiscontinued on page 15 whistlestop.org 5
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Whistlestop Express June 2011
Poet Kay Ryan Wins Pulitzer: Another Proud Day for Fairfax
W
hen Kay Ryan won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in April it marked the second time in two years that a Fairfax resident had won a Pulitzer. In 2010 Mark Fiore, cartoonist for sfgate.com, the Chronicle’s website, won the prize for cartooning. Kay Ryan became the 16th poet laureate of the United States in 2008 and served in that role through The Best of It 2010. She has lived in by Kay Ryan Marin County since 1971 However carved up and has taught English or pared down we part-time at College of get we keep on Marin for many years. making the best of She won the Pulitzer for it as though her collection, The Best it doesn’t matter of It: New and Selected that our acre’s Poems. Ryan, 65, has pubdown to a lished 16 volumes of poetsquare foot. ry. The Poetry Foundation As though our said of her: “Like Emily garden could Dickinson and Marianne be one bean Moore before her, Ryan and we’d rejoice if delights in quirks of logic it flourishes, as and language and teases though one bean poetry out of the most could nourish us. unlikely places. She regards the ‘rehabilitation of clichĂŠs,’ for instance, as part of the poet’s mission. Characterized by subtle, surprising rhymes and nimble rhythms, her compact poems are charged with sly wit and off-beat wisdom.â€? Which Marin resident might win the next Pulitzer? Anne Lamott? âœŚ
Arts and Crafts and the Sound of Music B y V a l B o w m a n
V
icky Voicehowsky thinks a little tango music brings out the creativity in the people who show up for her Multicultural Arts and Crafts Class every other Friday at Whistlestop. The group meets from 2 to 4pm and for a $2 to $3 fee, people receive most of the materials they need to complete an interesting project. It might be making felt hearts for Valentine’s Day or decorating Easter eggs, and whatever the project, it’s always accompanied by some lively music and Vicky’s light Vicky (in background) with class at touch. Vicky gives instruc- Whistlestop tions in both Spanish and English and everyone is welcome to join the group. She encourages men to try their hand at making cards or participating in the projects. Vicky is Center Services Reception Coordinator and Multicultural Coordinator at Whistlestop and because she got her art degree at San Francisco State, she is Paula Necochea holds up artistic very happy to see the heart created in class. arts program growing at Whistlestop’s active aging center. She is contributing to the mission of ending loneliness if the happy faces in her classes are any indication. She also leads a weekly discussion group on Monday mornings from 10 to 11am. The group talks about current affairs as well as topics such as forgiveness, gratitude and anger. When the topic was family life, people brought in photos to share. ✦
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Keep Learning at
WHISTLESTOP BEGINNING COMPUTER/PICTURE CLASS 2nd Friday • 2 to 4pm Computer Room | Instructor: Gene Dyer | Fee: $15 Registration Required: call 459-6700 Prerequisite: Basic Computer Skills Here’s your opportunity to learn how to share your digital photos with friends and family. Learn how to set up your computer to receive photos and how to transfer them from your camera, CD or flash drive onto your computer’s hard drive. Once on the computer, learn how to send and receive them with your friends by attaching them to your e-mail program. Bring camera and cable. ADVANCED COMPUTER/PICTURE CLASS 3rd Friday • 2 to 4pm Computer Room | Instructor: Gene Dyer Fee: $15 | Registration Required: call 459-6700 Prerequisite: Beginners Class or experience ring pictures pict transferring from camera to us computer & using as attachments to e-mails. View various ways to display your pictures, on your y computer, on your TV, and on other people’s computers using u slide shows, Word or PDF P documents, P Power Point presentation with text and sound and movie format incl including text, fades and sound. AARP DRIVER SAFETY PROGRAM Saturday, June 11 & June 18 • 9 to 1pm Fee: $12/AARP members/$14 non-members. Cash or checks payable to AARP accepted. Pre-registration and Prepayment Required: call 4566700 Sharpen your driving skills through the AARP Driver Safety program. This course was developed to help drivers 50 years or older adjust to agerelated 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 8
Whistlestop Express June 2011
d insurance, will be given. You must attend both sessions in order to get creditt for completing the course. USING POLES FOR WALKING, BALANCE & MOBILITY Wednesday, June 15, 2011, 1:30 to 4 pm Caboose | Instructor: Jayah
Faye Paley, Personal Trainer, Mobility bility ity Coach Fee: $35.00, payable at time of registration (100% Satisfaction Guaranteed or your money back) Registration Required: call 456-9062 Join us to learn techniques that help you navigate everyday obstacles and more fully enjoy life! Discover which type of poles fit you best & can help you achieve your goals. • Easy-to-Learn skills designed to help you Preserve your Joints • Improve Posture, Balance, Gait & Confidence • Improve Endurance & Upper Body Strength • Reduce Stress on knees, hips and spine MEDICARE PRESENTATION FOR BABY BOOMERS Thursday, June 16 • 10:30 to Noon Board Room | Facilitator: Julie Bennett, HICAP Fee: Free | Register: call 456-9062 If you are turning age 65 this year, you are one of approximately 8,000 people per day newly eligible for Medicare. Do you know if you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare, or will you need to apply? What are the different parts of Medicare? And where do you go to find other insurance to fill in the “gaps” as well as prescription drug coverage? To find out the answers to these questions, join HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program). The HICAP program will give you up-to-date information on what’s new with
Medicare and help narrow down your options in order to make good decisions. HICAP does not sell or represent any insurance companies. MARIN COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S VICTIM-WITNESS PROGRAM 1st & 4th Thursday • 9 to Noon Lounge If you or someone you know have either been a victim of a crime or have witnessed a crime, Yolanda Johnson, Advocate from the District Attorney’s office will be available to meet with you to answer questions, provide information and connect you to resources.
EVENTS & SERVICES AT WHISTLESTOP THE FAMILY ALBUM PROJECT Monday, June 20 • 10 to 3pm Caboose | Facilitators: Virginia Becker and the Family Album Project Fee: Free Pre-registration Required: call 456-9062 The Family Album Project is a team of seasoned photographers who donate their services to nonprofits and communities. Having noticed a loss of family portraiture in our digital age, they mourn the loss of heirloom photographs to be passed down through generations. As a way to be of service in their area of expertise, this group takes portraits of older adults who could not otherwise afford or have access to a sitting and prints, and immediately provides free prints to the subjects. Within minutes of having your portrait taken, you’ll walk away with one 5x7 and four wallet-sized prints. If you’d prefer a group portrait, you may bring in your family members to join you for the sitting; limit is one sitting per individual. NETWORKING LEADS TO VOLUNTEERING Thursday, June 23 • 4 to 5pm Register or more information: call 454-0969 or marinaccess.org Have you got a few hours a week to drive an older adult to their appointments or grocery shopping? Whistlestop is hosting a Volunteer Driver/Rider Networking Party for anyone over 18 wishing to be a volunteer driver for older adults who need rides. Potential drivers have an opportunity to meet older adults who have not been able find a volunteer driver. As a volunteer driver, not only will you be helping older adults in your community, you will also receive reimbursement to cover your gas costs.
VOLUNTEERING FOR WHISTLESTOP ARTS AND CRAFTS NEEDS YOUR HELP!! This super fun class with music, good companyy and great fun needs your help. We are asking ng for your kind donations of art materials ls such as decorative papers, glue guns and glue sticks, glitter, fun scissors, cissors, markers, craft paints and brushes, rushes, etc. We sincerely appreciate your support. For information: Vicky 456-9062 or VickyV@ whistlestop.org. A SINCERE THANKS TO ALL OUR TAX PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS! Whistlestop would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to our Volunteers who worked so hard on the tax program. We truly could not help as many people and achieve as much as we do without your commitment. We are extremely grateful for all you do and the difference you make. A special thanks to our Tax Preparers: Steve Johnson and Anne Johnson – Margaret Todd Senior Center, Carol Golden, Denise Bertucelli, Kirk Beales - Whistlestop Tax Greeters: Scott Marcum – Whistlestop/Margaret Todd Senior Center, Vicky Voicehowsky and Cindy Thai – Whistlestop VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Interested: Debbie at 456-9062 or DBenedetti@whistlestop.org • Active Ageing Center Greeter • Information & Referral Office – Computer exp.erience Required • Jackson Café • Fitness Ambassador for Stepping Strong -Lead a walking group in your community for a10week walking and wellness program
COMMISSION ON AGING MEETING Downsizing without a Breakdown” Thursday, June 9 • 10 to 12:30pm San Rafael Community Center (Club Rooms), 618 B Street, San Rafael Presenter: Public Information Committee, Donna Robbins“
Transportation Numbers Scheduling Rides: 454-0964 Cancelling Rides: 457-4630 Eligibility Coordinator, Janet Van Rijsbergen 456-9062, ext. 160
jvanrijsbergen@whistlestop.org whistlestop.org 9
Whistlestop CLASS
LOCATION
MISC.
COST
MONDAYS
TIME
This Month at Whistlestop
10:00–11:00 AM 10:30–NOON 11:00–NOON 11:00–12:30 PM 4:00–5:30 PM
AM Monday Persian Group Multicultural Comp. Lab German Group Citizenship
Caboose 2 Lounge Computer Lab TBD Caboose
457-0586 for info 472-6020 for info 456-9062 for info Open 454-0998 for info
Free Free Free Free Free
FRIDAYS THURSDAYS WEDNESDAYS TUESDAYS
ACTIVITIES
9:15–10:30 AM 10:00–2:00 PM 10:45–11:45 AM 11:00–12:30 PM 1:00–3:00 PM 2:00–3:30 PM
Whistlesizers Asian Group Cardio Exercise German Group Spanish Class English Conversation
Caboose Caboose Caboose TBD Caboose Board Room
Open 454-1552 for info Open Open Open 454-0998 for info
$2 Free Free Free Free Free
9:00–10:30 AM 10:00–11:30 AM 10:00–NOON 10:30–NOON 11:00–NOON
Tai Chi Qigong Seniors' Circle Computer Lab Persian Group Corazón Latino
Caboose Board Room Computer Lab Lounge Caboose
Suggested Donation Open Open 472-6020 for info Open
$10 Free Free Free Free
9:15–10:30 AM 10:00–2:00 PM 10:30–NOON 2:00-3:30 PM 2:00–4:00 PM
Whistlesizers Asian Group Watercolors with Hilda English Conversation Remembrance Writing
Caboose Caboose Lounge Caboose Board Room
Open 454-1552 for info Open 454-0998 for info Open
$2 Free Free Free $5
11:00–1:00 PM 1:30–3:30 PM 1:30–3:30 PM 2:00–4:00 PM 2:00–4:00 PM
Loom Knitting ACASA Spanish Club Friday Movie Arts & Crafts w/Vicky
Caboose Board Room Caboose Jackson Café Caboose
1st Fri. Arts & Crafts Peer Counseling Open Free Snacks/Drinks 457-0586 for info
Free Free Free Free $2-$3
The Caboose, Computer Lab, Board Room and Jackson Café are all located at Whistlestop’s Active Aging Center – 930 Tamalpais Ave., San Rafael.
LUNCH MENU
Jackson Café
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Monday-Friday 11:30am-2:00pm Located in Whistlestop Active Aging Center
60+ PRICES/ UNDER 60 PRICES Main Entrée $4.00/$6.75 $3.00/$4.00 Sandwiches Soup $1.75/$2.00 Hamburger $4.25/$5.25 Salads $2.50/$4.00
Whistlestop Express June 2011
OTHER ITEMS Tuna Salad Side Fresh Fruit Cup Beverages Desserts
$1.25 $1.00 $1.00 $1.50
The Bird's Side
OF MARIN
b y R I C H A R D PAV E K
Mating: A Balancing Act
M
ating between birds often looks aggressive but it is a cooperative venture. One recent morning after her breakfast, this female White-tailed Kite flew to a tree within sight of the nearby male. She positioned herself tail outward, on an outer branch and called him. That done, she waited silently until, after a minute, over he came. (What looks like loud screaming in the first photo, wasn’t. There was very little sound. Kites talk to each other with a variety of loud and soft chirps, krees, and gargles,
mostly with wide-open mouths.) Imagine being the female, balancing on an unsteady, swaying branch when along comes your mate to sit on your back. Now you have to balance him, as well! Of course, the male has to balance on a constantly shifting female underneath him, no easy task, either. But balancing in the breeze is not the difficult part. The male Kite, like most male birds, does not have an external sex organ. Both genders have small, lipped openings called cloaca. Their task is to get their cloacae together in the middle of this delicate balancing act. The female raised her rump high and shifted her tail feathers
to the side out of the way, while the male moved slightly aslant and, tail raised, brought his cloaca down to connect with the hers. It took 12 seconds of maneuvering and less than a second to finish their cloacal ‘kiss’ (the second photo) whereupon the male flew off. Off to find a stick, which he brought to her nest, a ritual he always performed after mating. Whew! Every weekend I email a bird photo to Express readers. If you’d like something nice to look at amidst the junk in your inbox, email me at SHENmaker@ MSN.com. ✦ Till next month, Richard whistlestop.org 11
Play a Round of Golf to Support Whistlestop By Dennis Thompson, Whistlestop Board President
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feel as if I were an honored guest and a welcome friend. During the play of golf and at the reception following, I had the opportunity to see the entire Randall family and their close friends in action. I came to realize that the Randalls bring much more than the needed monetary support they give Whistlestop. They bring a level of enthusiasm, joy and a deep commitment to our mission that is impossible to place a value on. I couldn’t help but think that Jerry Randall must have been a great guy to have these people for his family and friends. The Randalls and their friends are one of Whistlestop’s greatest assets and we need to show them the support they deserve. So come out on June 11 to StoneTree Golf Course, lose some golf balls like me or just come to the reception and meet an unbelievably fun group of people who share our dedication to Whistlestop. Call 415-686-2311 or go to jerryrandallmemorial.com to register. ✦
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continued from page 3 a person’s unique ideas to expand our horizons to stop, look & listen in a new way. ~ Barbara Schechner Claudia Carroll, 74, teaches memoir classes at Whistlestop. These comments are the result of a recent assignment she gave her students. She has published a book on her work titled Remembrance Writing 101: The Easy Way to Write & Share the Stories of Your Life.
job or traveling with Bob, Jan keeps busy with a weekly art workshop with Donna Raine Taylor in San Rafael. “So, I always paint on Monday evenings plus weekends and evenings when possible.” ✦
Photo by Terry Scussel
he Jerry Randall Memorial Golf Tournament, benefiting Whistlestop, will be here very shortly (June 11) and if you have not made plans to attend, please reconsider. As much as I love the game of golf and could go on forever discussing anything and everything related to this ridiculous sport, my reason for urging you to attend this year’s tournament has nothing to do with golf. Even though this is the fifth Jerry Randall Memorial Tournamet, last year was my first. After arriving at beautiful StoneTree Golf Course with the usual (soon to be dashed) high hopes that all golfers have before a round and checking in at the tournament organizers table, I was approached by a tall athletic guy with a genuine smile and a firm handshake. He introduced himself as Dan Randall and called his wife, Stacey, over to meet me. The attractive young couple thanked me for coming and for being a sponsor (actually a very small sponsor). Dan and Stacey truly made me
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Whistlestop Express June 2011
Marin Human Race Team Whistlestop
Terry Scussel’s Photography: A Work of Art
“Artistic License” Bodega, CA . I was treated with a wonderful photo opportunity of several artists working the area.
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hotos on this page were taken by Terry Scussel of Marin who has been interested in photography his entire life, but became much more passionate about the craft with the onset of digital cameras. He shoots nearly every week all around Marin and elsewhere. His subjects run the gamut from people, to large landscapes, night photography, off the beaten path and the creative which albeit may take a little software help. Terry took the photo with the yellow truck with his Canon EOS 5D Mark II SLR in Darwin, CA, an old mining town, still inhabited by about 50 very hardy residents in ramshackle buildings. Terry and his friend and photo tour leader, Gale Perry, scouted the Darwin area, about an hour west of Death Valley. Terry recalls: “When I arrived at the scene I immediately started to think how
sepia tone to the right building wall and finally added some edge work to frame the shot to enhance the shot with an antique finishing. The beauty of black and white is it turns to grey all the various distracting colors — like the red warning sign — “No Trespassing” on the front of the building. Terry Scussel is an avid amateur photographer who also serves on three nonprofit boards (including Whistlestop), supporting people with disabilities and older adults. He and his wife, Denise (a Whistlestop volunteer) are parents to a 27-year-old daughter who is developmentally disabled. Semi-retired
the shot could be creatively displayed in a black and white format using selective colorization to bring back the yellow color of the old tanker truck. I shot the image from several angles and bracketed the shot with sevDarwin,CA is an old mining town located about an hour's drive west of eral expoDeath Valley -- great setting for a compelling photograph. sures. I was working the from the corporate world, composition so I would have Terry enjoys giving back to several possibilities when I the community that had given got back to my computer for so much to his family. He also cropping and colorization. It has a consulting business and was important to get a very recently launched a document sharp image so focus was shredding business for one of critical, thus the use of the the corporations from which he tripod. I also wanted good retired. Terry also is a judge depth of field and decided to for the Whistlestop’s Annual shoot at f/22. I added some Photography Contest. ✦
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Kidney
larly susceptible to dehydration. Insufficient signaling mechanisms in older adults mean CORNER that they may not feel thirsty, even though b y S H A R C A R LY L E they may be dehydrated. Keep this in mind whether you are caring for an older adult or caring for yourself, as they (and you) may need prompting around fluid intake. Summer and Your Kidneys: Some negative effects of dehydration may Hydration include mental confusion, dry skin, migraines, hypertension, digesre you looking forward tive complications and perto the beautiful Bay sistent constipation. Severe Area summer weather dehydration over time could ahead? Don your hat, suneven cause organ failure. screen and grab your water The increased risk of bottle. In fact, grab a few. If dehydration is due to changes you're on the water fishing, to kidney function, which sailing, swimming, or endeclines with age; hormonal gaged in water sports there changes; not feeling thirsty; is a lot of ultraviolet light medication (for example, direflected from the surface of uretics and laxatives); chronic the water. That and the salt illness, which may cause you spray increases the liklihood to lose more fluids; and limof dyhdration." According to ited mobility. the Institute of Medicine, NaThe National Kidney tional Academy of Sciences, Foundation recommends that the average adult male coneveryone learn to recognize sumes roughly 3 liters (about the signs and symptoms 13 cups) of total beverages of dehydration, which may a day and women consume include: thirst, lightheaded2.2 liters (about 9 cups) of ness, sweating, transient total beverages a day. There muscle cramps, fatigue, genare 3.78 liters in a gallon, so eral discomfort, flushed skin, drink fresh clear water. weariness, dizziness, nausea There are exceptions. If you and vomiting, headache, and are a kidney transplant redecrease in performance. cipient, increased intake of 3-4 liters may be The key things to do to prevent dehydration recommended; however, if you are on dialysis, and reduce your risk of heat illnesses are to your fluid intake will be restricted. Your apdrink to replace fluids throughout the day, propriate water intake is tempered by what monitor the color of your urine (if it is getting medicines you take, diuretics, caffeine condarker than usual and there is a decrease in sumed, and other meds. Evaporation from the volume, you are likely dehydrated) and rest skin and respiratory tract are known as “inin a cool place between activities that require sensible fluid loss” which include respiration exertion. Remember your kidneys are like (water loss through the act of flowers — you need to water breathing) and perspiration Insufficient signaling them!To contact Kidney Com(water passing through the skin itself) and from the sweat mechanisms in older munity Education, call (415) glands. If you have concerns, or email kce@camaadults mean that they 526-7523 check with your doctor. rin.org, web site: Older adults are particumay not feel thirsty www.camarin.org/kce.html. ✦
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Whistlestop Express June 2011
film editing to cinematography, first in news and then into documentaries for 60 Minutes, PBS Frontline, The Academy Awards, BBC and countless others. Short form documentaries called “magazine format shows,” become a specialty: Evening Hour and PM magazines, and for my sins, A Current Affair. For 17 years (1983 and 2000), I was lucky enough to have a successful business renting professional video production equipment and providing crew services. I still practice my director/videographer skills. Partner Larry Kenworthy, who now runs Mag Image in San Rafael, made it all possible. ✦
Brain
TEASERS
B y G a r y G r u b e r, P h D
Rectangular Boxes Solve this in 30 seconds or less: The following are dimensions of a five rectangular boxes. Which box has a volume different from the other four? A) 5 by 8 by 12 B) 15 by 16 by 2 C) 3 by 32 by 5 D) 3 by 4 by 40 E) 2 by 6 by 36 Answer: e. Don’t multiply: all choices are divisible by 5 except e. Also e is the only choice that is divisible by 9. Clothing Store Discount A clothing store offers successive discounts of 30% and 10% on a sweater. The equivalent single discount would be A) 34 percent B) 37 percent C) 40 percent D) 60 percent E) 63 percent Answer: b. The equivalent single discount is less than the sum of the discounts. You may have thought choice c was correct. But you can’t just add the discounts of 30% and 10%! Suppose the sweater originally costs $100. A discount of 30% would make the sweater $70. Then a discount of 10% would further reduce the sweater to $70 – 10% of $70 = $70 - $7 = $63. This is like getting a reduction of $100 - $63 = $37 which translates to a 37% discount.
continued from page 5 ing and PR videos for Marin County nonprofit agencies. The most recent one was made with Joe O’Hehir and Yvonne Roberts of Whistlestop. It was shown to spur the bidding at the 2011 Marin Valentine Ball. WS: Please trace your career for us, starting right out of film school. Cohen: I have been in film and video production all my working life from my first job, after UCLA film school, editing film for the CBS Evening News, to starting Harris Cohen, in New York up the video production facility Magnetic Image in 1983 and selling it in 2000. WS: What kind of equipment do you use? Cohen: I’m using a Panasonic HMC 150 hidef all digital camera now after bidding a reluctant goodbye to videotape cameras, which I had worked with since their invention. WS: Can you describe some of your pro bono projects? Cohen: My 18 or so pro bono projects have all been done for Marin nonprofits. The first was for Spirit Rock meditation center. Others have been for ArtWorks Downtown, The Lark and 142 Throckmorton theaters and Opportunity for Independence. The best of the lot were the ones for Novato Youth Center, St. Vincent’s Free Dining Room and the piece about Fairfax. These and other productions are on YouTube. Search for the Norbert Anderson page. WS: When and how did this interest develop? Cohen: As a kid I was always fascinated by the media. Growing up in L. A. added to the interest. My idea of a perfect Saturday was to take the bus to Hollywood and be in the studio audience for as many radio and TV shows as possible. The enjoyment of this sort of work, in addition to doing a bit of good in the world, are the feelings of creativity and self-expression. WS: You have worked in television, too, right? Cohen: As for work on TV, I went from news
Marin County’s Dr. Gary Gruber is recognized as a leading authority on standardized tests and the originator of the critical thinking skills used to prepare for them. With more than 35 books with more than 7 million copies sold, he has dramatically increased aptitude, intelligence and standardized test scores on tests like the SAT and ACT. whistlestop.org 15
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