Whistlestop MARCH 2011
Whistlestop.org
E PRESS The Leading Information Resource for Marin's Active Aging Movement
Exciting Day Trips Await the Adventurous in Marin © Photo by Terry Scussel
by JOHN BOWMAN
M
arch 20 marks the start of Spring and, as Emily Dickinson put it, “A little madness in the Spring is wholesome even for the king.” Perhaps we are not ready for madness, but getting out of the house and exploring seems in order as the days get longer and warmer. Marin County, one of the most desirable places in the country, is an ideal place to plan Spring outings. Whistlestop and Claudia Carroll, who has offered writing classes here, are teaming up to provide a series of interesting trips this year. Claudia says that, “Day tripping is a fun way to meet new friends, enjoy a stimulating day out and to experience a varied cultural arts menu: theater, movies, nature trips, music, eating out, shuttle, bus, ferry and train rides. “In fact, day tripping will start right here at Whistlestop. I’m envisioning fun ways for us, as older adults, to get out of the house, travel a bit, and meet new friends. And don’t forget your appetite! Most trips will be in or around loca-
Muir Woods trails continue to be a favorite day outing for hikers. tions with reasonably priced gourmet food choices. Those who have taken Claudia’s Remembrance Writing 101 workshops at Whistlestop know she loves to travel and enjoy all of the cultural arts. So she is in discussions with Whistlestop Activity and Resource Center Manager, Debbie
Rocky Packard page 4
Whistlestop Perspective on Norma Hunt page 2 NEW COLUMN!
Benedetti, about possible day trips that will be learning experiences as well. Claudia will look for the best group rates and also will be choosing places that are accommodating to people with disabilities. Following are a few ideas that are on the drawing board: Muir Woods Bus Trip: Nature Tripping in John Muir Country. Larkspur Ferry to Embarcadero and Book Passages: Of Books and Sailing Ships. Napa Wine Train: Maybe a lunch-time excursion and, with any luck and group rates, a Who-Dunnit play. Stagebridge: Popular Oakland-based theater troupe of older adults. MJCC, San Rafael arts and culture programs: one-day trip example is the Ventriloquist Steve Chaney and his puppet, Cornelius Crowe. The Rafael: Movies and memories. In addition here are some other day trip experiences to consider:
Continued on page 7 The Kidney Corner page 12
Table of
CONTENTS 3 4 5 8/9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Volunteer Drivers Rocky's Pantry Rocky Packard Shredding Day At Whistlestop Whistlestop Activities Calendar The Bird's Side of Marin Richard Pavek Kidney Corner Shar Carlyle Financial Nuggets Jeff Stoffer Grand Mom Audrey Mettel Fixmer Brain Teasers 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 • Eva Brown • 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 March 2011
Whistlestop
PERSPECTIVE by JOHN BOWMAN Norma Hunt was a Model of Active Aging in Marin orma M. Hunt of Mill group and art class,” said MeValley was the quintes- lissa. “The art was at another sential active older adult, center, but was set up for her by and Whistlestop contributed to a man at Whistlestop. He had her vitality in the last years of told her, ‘Norma, you need to get out of your house.’” Norma her life. Norma, 90, passed away in also took computer classes. September 2010. Her daugh- “She was ahead of me in that department,” ter, Melissa said Melissa. Rinck a Novato Norma dentist, rememhad a wonderbers her mother ful sense of as an inspiring, humor and told vibrant person her daughters who was “sharp once that she right up to the had met a end .” Nor m a good friend in was sight imexercise class paired and used and, “When a walker, but Norma, with her daughter, we got tired, she didn’t let Dr. Melissa Rinck we would just that slow her sit on the down. floor and finish there.” Despite Norma was a paralegal until she was 78, Melissa recalls. her impaired sight, she did artwork and completed some “She would hop on a bus and paintings with the help of the go to work every day in San instructor. Francisco.” “Mother was very advenMelissa added that thanks turesome,” said to Whistlestop and her daughter. the Whistlestop “She loved the buses, the last Whistlestop Whistlestop drivcouple of years of was her ers because they Norma’s life were lifeline! not only took her among her hapto Whistlestop for piest days ever. classes and lunch, After the death of her husband, Jack, Norma be- but to other appointments. came lonely and felt isolated in She said that while riding the the Mill Valley home where she buses she saw much of Marin lived for 48 years. Her daugh- County that she had never ters visited her on weekends, seen before. Whistlestop was her lifeline! You empowered but weekdays were lonely. my mom with dignity and “Then, someone from Whisindependence. I am filled with tlestop set her up with three gratitude.” ✦ classes: exercise, a discussion
N
Whistlestop Introduces Volunteer Driver Transportation Program
W
histlestop has introduced a unique concept in transportation, the Volunteer Driver Program, in Marin County. The program, based on a model that has become quite successful in other parts of the country, is geared for older adults who need help getting to doctor appointments, shopping, and other activities. Whistlestop’s new volunteer driver program receives its funding from Marin Transit, which is the recipient of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s New Freedom Program funding. Qualified drivers will use their own vehicles. Those interested in learning more about the Volunteer Driver Program at Whistlestop can call 415-454-0969. “What is unique about the Volunteer Driver Program is that it empowers older adults to get out of their homes by connecting with a nearby member of their community—people they already know and have a relationship with,â€? said Joe O’Hehir, CEO of Whistlestop. “This program enables them to offer a reimbursement to their driver to help offset some of the expense incurred by providing them a ride. It’s especially helpful to the person needing a ride, making it more comfortable when asking friends and neighbors for rides, knowing that they can offer them something in return.â€? Geared primarily to providing riders with medical and shopping purposes to start, this program is aimed at adults 60 and over, who are frail and/or disabled, living in Marin County.. Pat Wall, Volunteer Driver Program Coordinator, said Whistlestop will coach riders in finding drivers if needed. “We also will provide program handbooks for both riders and drivers,â€? she said, “along with necessary forms, including mileage reimbursement. Whistlestop reimburses the rider and the rider pays the driver.â€? âœŚ
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Whistlestop Express March 2011
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histlestop Express is pleased to present this new column by Rocky Packard, chef at Whistlestop’s Jackson Café. Mystic Table, the column written by Mark Lindsay, occupied this space since the start-up of The Express. Mark has decided to discontinue the column and focus on other artistic interests. Visit his blog about photography and art: www.marklindsayart.com/index.php/blog Tzatziki A Greek classic that is wonderful, quick and healthy. Tzatziki is very refreshing and is good for vegetables as a dip. This recipe is very good also as a sauce for seafood and cold grilled chicken and is an interesting alternative for salad dressing. Jackson Cafe Tzatziki (Cucumber Dip) Servings: 1 1/3 cup yogurt 1/4 cup sour cream 1 clove minced garlic 1 tbsp. minced fresh mint 1 tbsp. fresh chopped dill 1/2 grated English cucumber, skin on Lemon juice of ½ lemon 1 tbsp. olive oil Salt and pepper to taste Grate the cucumber and drain off the liquid in a strainer. When thoroughly drained, add remaining ingredients and season with salt and paper. Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 297 Calories; 28g Fat (84.1% calories from fat); 5g Protein; 7g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 36mg Cholesterol; 69mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Vegetable; 1/2 Non-Fat Milk; 5 1/2 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates. ✦
Š Photo by Terry Scussel
Successful Shred Day at Whistlestop
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erry Scussel, Whistlestop Board member, said, “We had an excellent turnout for our first Pitney Bowes/Whistlestop Shred Day, with well over 120 people depositing their confidential material to be shredded.â€? Scussel said that 14,500 pounds of material was recycled. Scussel added, “I have done a number of these events over the years, but never one as successful as this. Whistlestop hopes to have another event closer to the end of the year âœŚ
Duane Elgin Offers Telecourse
M
arin’s Duane Elgin, a pioneer in the Voluntary Simplicity movement, will be offering an online course, “Beacons of Hope and Opportunity,â€? starting March 17. The seven-week course will be online and by phone. It is designed for anyone who feels anxious about the future or who is unclear about how his or her life fits with the new world unfolding around us. Elgin says, “This group inquiry will explore this new future, both personally and collectively. We will do this with the aid of deep guides in the form of universal stories about who we are and where we are going.â€? More information and registration news is available at www.duaneelgin.com. Or, go on the site and sign up for his email newsletter. âœŚ
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Whistlestop.org 5
Do You Have a Favorite Day Trip? Share With Us
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From left, Fidel Saravia Cortez, Matt Corson and Tony Oliveto
Whistlestop’s Employees of the Year
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ollowing are 2010 Whistlestop’s Employees of the Year, chosen by fellow employees:
Fidel Saravia Cortez – Our Driver of the Year. He was hired in September 2007. He is extremely reliable and courteous to our clients and is well respected by his fellow drivers, who chose to honor him this year. Matt Corson – Our Shop Supervisor and our employee of the year for Transportation Support. Matt owned his own shop before coming to Whistlestop. He brings an entrepreneurial spirit to his department. He has reorganized our garage and improved operating efficiency. He is customer service focused and has developed excellent relationships with our vendors. Tony Oliveto – Our Facilities Coordinator. Tony’s coworkers overwhelmingly nominated him as the Agency employee of the year, even though he has been with Whistlestop less than a year. Tony responds quickly to requests and always displays a positive, “can do” attitude. Employees and clients both consider him a valuable addition to our team. ✦ 6
Whistlestop Express March 2011
n today’s issue of the Whistlestop Express we present a number of suggestions for day trips in and around Marin County (see Page 1). If you have a favorite day trip in or near Marin County that is not included in our recommendations, please share it with us and our readers. Send a 250-word description of your favorite day trip, along with email or phone information about the place, to: Editors, Whistlestop Express. You may send it by regular mail to Whistlestop, 930 Tamalpais Ave., San Rafael, 94901, or via email to: john.bowman58@gmail.com. We will publish readers’ day trip favorites in a future Readers Write In column or columns. If you have a photo to go with your recommendation, send that along also. If you submit by email, please send your article as a Word document and if you include a photo, please send it as a jpeg or as a PDF. ✦
Lighten UP A gentleman brought his British lady friend to a football game. At the start the accustomed coin was tossed to see which team kicked off first. After the game he asked his friend how she enjoyed this American merican form of Rugby. “Well,” she said. “What a fuss they make over such a little thing. All I heard was “Get the quarter back! Get the quarter back!” Geez, it’s only 25 cents.” Read more: www.thirdage.com/humor/ discussions/share-a-joke-ii#ixzz1CfuLwc8c.
DAY TRIPPING—Continued from page 1 California Academy of Sciences at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco: The only place on the planet with an aquarium, a planetarium, a natural history museum, and a four-story rainforest are all under one roof. It’s a stunning architectural achievement with hundreds of unique exhibits and nearly 40,000 live animals. A special presentation is scheduled for March 1-31: The Academy salutes U.S. Armed Forces. The third Wednesday is free admission. Seniors tickets: $24.95. www.calacademy.org Bolinas Museum: 48 Wharf Road, Bolinas. The Museum reflects regional interests and the remarkably rich talent pool of artists from coastal Marin. Visiting the Bolinas Museum is free to all, as are many of its cultural events. www.bolinasmuseum.org. Tiburon Railroad & Ferry Depot Museum: 1920 Paradise Drive, Tiburon. On the ground floor is a railroad & ferry museum featuring a working scale model of the Point Tiburon The Tiburon Railroad and Ferry yard, circa 1900Depot Museum. 1910. Upstairs is the restored stationmaster’s residence, 1913-1940. The Depot is the only surviving dual use terminal west of the Hudson River and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum is open April through October for visitors on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays 1- 4pm. www.landmarks-society.org. Art & Garden Center: 841 Tiburon Boulevard, Tiburon. Circa 1870, the cottage is the oldest structure on the Tiburon Peninsula. Purchased in 1944 by William and Helen Newman, the farmyard was transformed into a terraced garden. Bequeathed to Landmarks 50 years later, the restored cottage which overlooks Richardson Bay, has two galleries for exhibits and receptions. The gardens and paths maintained by master gardeners are based on the Newman’s design with many of the original plantings surviving. The Center is open April through October for visitors on Sundays, 1- 4pm. www.landmarks-society.org. ✦
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Keep Learning at
WHISTLESTOP LEVEL II COMPUTER CLASS Thursdays, March 24 - April 28 • 10 to Noon Computer Room | Instructor: Ed Essick Prerequisite: Level I Computer Class Fee: $60/6 weeks Register: call 459-6700 BEGINNING COMPUTER/PICTURE CLASS 1st & 2nd Fridays • 2 to 4pm Computer Room | Fee: $15 | Instructor: Gene Dyer Prerequisite: Basic Computer Skills Registration Required: call 459-6700 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 3rd Friday • 2 to 4pm Computer Room | Fee: $15 | Instructor: Gene Dyer Prerequisite: Basic Computer Skills Registration required: call 459-6700 Learn how to tell a Picture Story on computer monitors and TVs in slide shows, using Word, PDF, Power Point Presentations and movie formats. GMAIL FOR OLDER ADULTS Friday, April 8 & 15 • 10 to Noon Computer Room | Instructor: Susan Wilkins Fee: $56 | Registration required: call 459-6700 It’s easy to stay in touch with old friends and family using the Internet. We will be setting up a Google account, which includes the free email program, Gmail. We will explore Google calendar, Google Reader and blogs and search the internet using Advanced Search. We will also explore Social Networking … what is it? Do I need it? We want you to succeed in this course and recommend that you be familiar with the mouse and keyboard before enrolling. Instruction in this class is not textbook-based. This class is in partnership with the College of Marin. ST. PATRICK’S DAY LUNCHEON Thursday, March 17 • Noon to 1:30pm Jackson Café | Fee: $6 for older adults, $9 under 60 Reservations required: call 456-9062 Please join us for a delicious meal and live entertainment. 8
Whistlestop Express March 2011
FREE BLOOD PRESSURE AND MEDICATION CHECKS Tuesdays starting March 22 • 1 to 2:30pm Lounge | Facilitators: Dominican University student nurses Bring your prescription medications and supplements to find out how to take them, store them, if there are side effects, or interactions. Be sure to bring in all your medications and supplements. Don’t miss this opportunity to prevent health problems! LIVING WITH VISION LOSS PRESENTATION Tuesday, March 8 • 10 to Noon Board Room | Free Information: call Jeff Carlson, 258-8496 x1 If you have vision loss, you may have difficulty reading mail, keeping track of medications and appointments, telling time, getting to and from places and preparing meals. Attend this program to learn how the Lighthouse of Marin staff can help provide the support and training you may need for living as independently as possible with your vision loss. RESTORE & IMPROVE YOUR BALANCE TRAINING CLASS Tuesdays & Thursdays, March 15 - April 7 • 2 to 3pm Jackson Café | Fee: $75/ 8 classes Instructor: Thomas Attardi, BS, MA, MBW Registration required: call 456-9062 In the Balance Class, you will learn how balance works, why your balance may be deteriorating, and how you can safely implement very simple exercises to train your balance. We will learn the best exercises for stronger legs to prevent falls and safeguard our risks of injury. We will also cover what to do if we fall. WHISTLESIZERS GET INTO THE EXERCISE HABIT! Tuesdays & Thursdays • 9:15am Instructor: Ruth Fleshman | Fee: $2 Information: call 456-9062 Whistlesizers is a popular class that uses light weights, chair and standing exercises and stretching.“It’s a class for people who make all kinds of excuses to not exercise,” said Ruth Fleshman, who has taught the class for 25 years. “By coming to the class, it gets done and you feel good too.” FREE CITIZENSHIP CLASSES/ CLASES GRATUITAS DE CIUDADANIA Mondays/Lunes • 4 to 5:30pm Caboose | Facilitator: Sandra Jimenez Free/Gratis
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES • Whistlestop is looking for a volunteer/certified yoga instructor to teach a weekly class to older adults. • Volunteer needed to work with older adults in the Information & Referral Office. Must be able to commit to one day a week for 3 hours. • Jackson Café Volunteers needed Interested: email Debbie.benedetti@whistlestop.org or call 456-9062 TAI CHI QIGONG FOR MAXIMUM HEALTH, ENERGY AND RELAXATION Wednesdays • 9 to 10:15am Caboose | Fee: $10 Teacher: Calvin Ahlgren Tai Chi Qigong (“tie-chee chee-gong”) is a one-hour set of gentle exercises, done mostly while seated, that works to tone up the body’s energy system. Especially suitable for older adults, it is credited with developing optimal health for regular practitioners. Also known for improving stamina, stability, and balance, Tai Chi Qigong includes increasing energy while promoting relaxation and balance. WHISTLESTOP KNITTERS 2nd, 3rd, 4th Fridays • 11 to 1pm Caboose 2 | Sign up: call 456-9062 Come spend a couple of hours to knit, talk, laugh and e we enjoy each others company while ot a work on hats, scarves, etc. This is not class but you’ll enjoy sharing patterns, hints and techniques, and in no time will have made something special. CARDIO EXERCISE CLASS AN ACCESSIBLE WORKOUT FOR ALL Tuesdays • 10:45 to 11:45am Caboose | Free If you want a worthwhile workout and don’t mind breaking a sweat, Instructor Michael Gordon, a volunteer of the LightHouse for the Blind for over 10 years, will be teaching a Cardio Exercise Class at Whistlestop. Michael ensures a good 50 minute workout (chair & standing exercises) with warm up and cool down, complete with audio description so participants who are visually impaired or blind can easily join in. DEUTSCHE GESELLSCHAFT Mondays & Tuesdays • 1 to 12:30pm Wir haben eine neue Idee in Whistlestop wo wir eine Deutsch sprechende Gruppe Zusammen bringen und wir uns in Deutsch amusieren konnen. Wir freuen uns auf Ihr kennen lernen, bitte rufen Sie fur Auskunft.
REMEMBRANCE WRITING 101 WORKSHOP THE EASY WAY TO WRITE AND SHARE THE STORIES OF YOUR LIFE Wednesdays & Thursdays • 2 to 4pm Board Room | Fee: $5 | Facilitator: Claudia Carroll Register: call 456-9062 YOU have a story to tell because you have LIVED LIFE! 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 hole 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. MARIN HUMAN RACE Saturday, May 7 • 7 to 11:30am • Race starts at 8:30am Facilitator: Eva Brown For information: 999-9053 or evabrown.mhr@gmail.com It’s a wonderful feeling to get up on a spring morning and go for a walk or run, while raising money for local nonprofit organizations, schools, and the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership. You can run, walk or roll your wheelchair around the 5K looping course. Last year Whistlestop raised over $5,000. These funds were used to help Whistlestop provide transportation services to the disabled community, offer discounted meals to older adults, and give services to older adult multicultural communities throughout Marin County. Please help us raise awareness and increase this year’s donations by signing up to walk and having your friends and neighbors sponsor you.
Transportation Numbers Scheduling Rides: 454-0964 Cancelling Rides: 457-4630 Eligibility Coordinator, Janet Van Rijsbergen 456-9062, ext. 160
janet.vanrijsbergen@whistlestop.org Whistlestop.org 9
Whistlestop CLASS
LOCATION
MISC.
COST
MONDAYS
10:00–11:00 AM 10:30–NOON 11:00–NOON 11:00–12:30 PM 11:10–NOON 2:00–4:00 PM 4:00–5:30 PM
AM Monday Persian Group Computer Literacy German Group Movement & Music ESL Citizenship
Caboose 2 Lounge Computer Lab TBD Caboose Caboose/Café Caboose
457-0586 for info 472-6020 for info Open Open March 25-May 16 Jan 24th-May 18th 454-0998 for info
Free Free Free Free Free Free Free
TUESDAYS
TIME
This Month at Whistlestop
10:00–2:00 PM 9:15–10:30 AM 10:45–11:45 AM 11:00–12:30 1:00–3:00 PM 2:00–3:30 PM
Asian Group Whistlesizers Cardio Exercise German Group Spanish Class English Conversation
Caboose Caboose Caboose TBD Caboose Board Room
454-1552 for info Open Open Open Open 454-0998 for info
Free $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 2:00–4:00 PM
Tai Chi Qigong Seniors' Circle Computer Lab Persian Group Corazón Latino ESL Remembrance 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
9:15–10:30 AM 10:00–2:00 PM 10:30–NOON 2:00-3:30 PM 2:00–3:00 PM 2:00–4:00 PM
Whistlesizers Asian Group Art from the Heart English Conversation Vietn.Citizenship Remembrance Writing
Caboose Caboose Lounge Caboose Caboose Board Room
Open 454-1552 for info Open 454-0998 for info 454-1552 for info Open
$2 Free Free Free Free $5
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
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-1:30pm Located in Whistlestop Active Aging Center
60+ PRICES/ UNDER 60 PRICES Main Entrée $4.00/$6.75 Turkey Sandwich $3.00/$4.00 Soup $1.75/$2.00 Hamburger $4.25/$5.25 Pizza $4.00/$5.00 Salads $2.50/$4.00
Whistlestop Express March 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
Happy Landings!
I
am always amazed at how skillfully birds can execute a landing. Many years ago, when I learned to fly, I soon learned why landings are called the test of a pilot. Taking off is easy; just push the throttle forward and steer until the plane lifts off. But when landing, you have to decelerate without stalling, hold steady in wind gusts, and gently land without slamming into the ground or bouncing or veering off the runway while bringing the plane slowly, slowly to a stop. All the while
remembering to breathe and not look anxious. Not so with a bird. Look at these two images of a Redtailed Hawk landing. According to the chronometer in my camera, there was less than a quarter of a second between the first and second image. In that small fraction of time, the Hawk decelerated from about 10 miles an hour, reached out and grasped a tiny swaying branch smaller than his encircling toes, and came to a dead stop — perfectly balanced on top of the tiny branch! Whew! Like the comic book action heroes who have recently leapt to the multi-screen theatre,
birds seemingly defy gravity and all the other forces of physics, at will. The photo of the long toes is a Heron grasping a thin branch — about like you or I grasping a thin pencil that slides around within our too-large fingers. You’ll find a better view of the Hawk in the “Happy Landings” post on my blog, www.RichardBirdBlog.com. Every weekend I email an interesting 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
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n a society that worships winning, we sometimes forget that success isn’t always defined by grabbing the brass ring. Sometimes it’s just reaching for it. According to a study published in the Clinical Journal of American Society of Nephrology, nearly half of the patients older than Pak and Shar 60 waiting for a kidney transplant from a deceased donor will die. The report concluded, “Older candidates are now at significant risk for not surviving the interval in which a deceased-donor transplant would become available.� My client and friend, Pakvilai Sudhaswin, (“Pak� for short) is an active older adult who has been on dialysis over 18 years. She is the kind Whistlestop provides of individual who transportation inspires others to those needing toward courage. dialysis every day. In the process of preparing for transplant surgery complications arose and it was discovered Pak would not able to go through with the procedure. She is now being cared for in a convalescent home, with hopes of eventually returning to her home. While visiting her I was awed by her attitude. When I asked her if she had any words to
Continued to page 15 12
Whistlestop Express March 2011
Visiting AngelsÂŽ Can Help Share the Care
Financial
NUGGETS by JEFF STOFFER, CFA, CFPÂŽ
Bonds: Too Much of a Good Thing? (Part V)
W
hen we began this series four months ago, the prices of U.S. Treasury bonds were at 50-year highs. In fact, the interest rates being paid on bonds were lower than those on stocks, a situation that hasn’t occurred since the first half of the 1900s. High prices often bring higher risk. What are the implications of high bond prices and how do we manage this risk? Let’s review. Out of fear, investors have been avoiding stocks and embracing bonds. Herd-like behavior should be a warning sign. This raises the concern that too many investors are doing the same thing. We need to remember that simply following “the herd� increases our risk. It may be time to sell rather than buy. We examined the idea that bonds could become the next asset bubble. Based on the traditional characteristics of a bubble – a market exhibiting rampant speculation and unreasonable valuation – we concluded that this was probably not the case with bonds. While bond prices are indeed high, investors are looking for safety and reliable income, not quick profits, as in recent bubbles involving tech stocks and housing. One of the most significant risks that bond investors face is inflation with its negative impact on the future value of bonds. This has not yet become an issue. However, the steps taken by the Federal Reserve and our government to battle the Great Recession are, or will be, inflationary. When bonds mature years down the road, inflation reduces the purchasing power of the dollars originally invested in them. Since we started this series, we have already begun to see some of the expected impact on the future of investing in bonds – in the form of volatility. High prices lead to greater volatility, implying increased potential for loss of value. One strategy to minimize this impact is to own fewer long-term bonds, since they are most susceptible to the rav-
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Grand
MOM by AUDREY METTEL FIXMER
Marin County Psychologist Writes Book about Inspiring African-American Women by JOHN BOWMAN
Life in Marin County
H
ere in Wisconsin we were in the middle of a blizzard on January 17. My bridge game would have to be called off, since the hostess lives a couple of miles out in the country. Fortunately, she is married to a very hearty, fearless man who agreed to transport all three of us ladies. We never question the risk of simply riding through the storm when it means saving a bridge game! With a couple of hours to kill before I would be picked up, I decided it would be a good time to write my March column for Whistlestop Express, due the next day. How could I write about a place I've never visited? The phone rang and it was my daughter-inlaw, Carson, so I had someone to listen to my dilemma. Without a moment’s hesitation, she said, “Well, I know where I would go —Sausalito!” She then went into raptures describing Sausalito: “It’s a quaint little fishing village where you can dine in outdoor cafés and look out over the Bay and even see the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s so charming!” That piqued my interest, so I googled Marin County and was amazed to find so many other things I would love to see and do. I want to see the oldest city, San Rafael, with its restored Franciscan Mission, its 14 parks, and take a tour of the great Frank Lloyd Wright’s beautiful Civic Center. And I’d love to explore the shops and restaurants in San Anselmo, the “Antique Capitol” of Marin. I’d give anything to buy fresh produce from farmers’ markets all year long. My reverie ended abruptly when I discovered my ride would arrive in five minutes and I was not ready! Time to leave Marin County where this week’s forecast is a high of 60 and low of 40, and face the reality of another week in Wisconsin, where this week’s forecast is highs in the 20’s and lows of eight below zero. Where would I like to go in Marin County? Anywhere! ✦ Audrey has been publishing her column in the Madison, WI, Diocesan Catholic Herald for 15 years.
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Whistlestop Express March 2011
D
r. Sonnee Weedn, a Marin County psychologist, has published a book about 31 remarkable African American women titled Many Blessings: A Tapestry of Accomplished African American Women. Colonel Yvonne Cagle, M.D., raised in Novato and a NASA trained astronaut, is one of the interviewees. Ten years ago, Dr. Weedn of Novato, was asked to treat a young, urban, African American woman. Believing that as a white woman living in the reality of de facto segregation, she was not knowledgeable enough to treat this woman in psychotherapy, she set about to learn more about African American culture. Weedn said this stimulated her thinking about African American women. What was it that allowed them to survive and thrive despite the double prejudice of racism and sexism. She wondered about the historical implications of the confluence of the Civil Rights Movement and the Women’s Movement on this particular cohort of women, most who had come of age during lawenforced segregation. She traveled the country for three years, interviewing many African American women, some famous and others unknown except in their own particular circles of influence. She studied the women to determine what encouraged them to transcend discrimination and other obstacles they faced in order to rise up and claim their destinies as powerful and altruistic women. Ultimately, she chose 31 of the women she interviewed to represent the seven strengths she identified as having sustained them and allowed them to flourish. She believes that these seven strengths are the historical legacy of all African American women today, and encourages all women, regardless of ethnicity to learn from their example to increase their own resilience and determination. ✦
Easy Ways to Give to
WHISTLESTOP (And to Do Something Good for an Older Adult) Good Search — simply go to GoodSearch.com and when you search the internet using their search engine, Whistlestop gets a donation! GoodSearch is a search engine which 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 proven search results. The money GoodSearch donates to your cause 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, and then shop at the many participating stores. eScrip Recycling — simply drop off your used laser/toner and inkjet cartridges, used cell phones, digital cameras, iPods, GPS devices and laptops at Whistlestop’s front office and we will recycle them and get a small donation. Car and Vehicle Donation through: Donate your car to Whistlestop 1-888-686-4483. ✦
KIDNEY CORNER—Continued from page 12
Brain
share today she said to tell everyone to, “think happy thoughts,” and “wear a Buddha smile.” ✦
TEASERS
FNIANCIAL NUGGETS—Continued from page 13
B y G a r y G r u b e r, P h D QUESTION: Suppose you have a 12-hour digital clock where the number representing the hour is always the same as the number representing the minute. That is, the clock can only show times like 8:08, 9:09, 10:10, etc. What is the smallest time difference between two such times? (A) 101 minutes (B) 61 minutes (C) 60 minutes (D) 49 minutes (E) 11 minutes
ages of inflation and rising interest rates. We discussed establishing a target percentage of bonds for your portfolio. Periodically, review and rebalance the levels of each major investment category (e.g., 60% stocks and 40% bonds.) In conclusion, it is possible to have too much of a good thing. Expect volatility when prices reach extreme levels. Bonds of longer maturity could lose the most value in an inflationary environment. Set target levels for stock, bonds, etc. and rebalance regularly. ✦ Jeff Stoffer is a Whistlestop Board member.
QUESTION: You are competing in a linear race and overtake the last runner. In which position are you now? (A) last (B) second to last (C) third to last (D) cannot be determined unless the number of runners is known (E) cannot be determined because this is an ambiguous question
Whistlestop serves more than 11,000 low-cost meals a year to Marin County residents at our onsite Jackson Café, 930 Tamalpais Ave., San Rafael. Not only is the food good, but the café has become a popular place to socialize during noontime.
ANSWER: (E) How can you overtake the person who is last?
Did You Know?
ANSWER: (D) The times closest to one another are 12:12 and 1:01. So subtract them. You get 49 minutes. Don’t be lured into just subtracting the times 8:08 from 9:09 or 9:09 from 10:10, etc.
Shar Carlyle is Program Director with Kidney Community Education, whose mission is to serve the low income and disenfranchised adults with kidney disease. Shar can be reached at kce@cmarin.org.
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. Through his work, 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. His Brain Teasers have created national interest in problem solving and in developing creativity. Whistlestop.org 15
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