Community Connection | City of West Hollywood by Q Press

City of West Hollywood California 1984

RECREATION SERVICES DIVISION

ommunity C

Connection A QUARTERLY GUIDE TO THRIVE AT ANY AGE | SUMMER 2021

IN THIS ISSUE n n n n n n n n

Financial Planning City Business Tax Tips Green City Awards & Green Seedlings Prize Summer Recipe beWell WeHo UCLA Memory Training Zoom 101 Craft Corner

Community Connection is published quarterly by the City of West Hollywood's Recreation Services Division for everyone, but especially for people 55 and over in the community to get information about news, programs, and services.

To find our current registration schedule and sign up for recreation activities and classes, visit us at: weho.org/recreation or email: recreation@weho.org

AVOIDING SCAMS In February 2021, the City of West Hollywood, along with Assemblymember Richard Bloom’s office and the California Contractors State License Board, co-hosted a virtual Scam Stoppers event. Expert speakers educated the community about how to avoid scams, including those related to COVID-19 vaccines and stimulus payments. The event can be accessed by going to: w.eho.city/whscamstoppers. For more information about COVID-19 related scams, AARP’s website offers articles (aarp.org/money/scams-fraud) about vaccine and stimulus payment scams, as well as “8 Tips to Scam-proof your Life Amid COVID19;” the webpage also has a “Fraud Resource Center” that looks more closely into many different types of scams. In general, scams continue to evolve. Two recently identified Medicare scams include scammers calling older adults to request their Medicare number to update a Medicare card or to provide the recipient with free health testing. Please note: Medicare does NOT contact people by phone or ask for personal information. In situations like these, there are steps you can take to determine if a call is a scam or to report it: make an independent call to the entity that supposedly reached out to you. For example, if you receive a call from a someone identifying as a Medicare representative, do not give them information; instead, hang up and call the number on your Medicare card to inquire. AARP also has several invaluable resources: AARP’s toll-free Fraud Helpline (877-908-3360) and a “Fraud Watch Network” also available at (aarp.org/money/scams-fraud). If you suspect you have been scammed, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Response Center or call the toll-free number 877-382-4357 (FTC-HELP). Finally, if you need support from one of the local non-profit agencies assisting West Hollywood community members, please call Jewish Family Services West Hollywood Comprehensive Services Center (323-851-8202) or the LA LGBT Center’s Senior Program (323-993-7400) to ask for assistance.

FINANCIAL PLANNING Did you know that the Social Security Administration allows you to access your Social Security statement online by opening a Social Security online account? By going to ssa.gov/myaccount/statement.html you can create an account and access it to learn more about your current earning history and future Social Security benefits. There are also fact sheets, based on age groups and earnings, to help you understand benefits better and plan for retirement. AARP, on the “Money” page of their website (aarp.org/money), has articles about setting up a budget, managing debt, and saving. The LA LGBT Center’s Senior Program also offers a 10-week Aging Mastery program that includes sections on financial security. Please contact the Center through its website (lalgbtcenter.org/social-service-and-housing/senior) or by calling 323-860-5830 to learn when the next Mastery on Aging class will be offered.

CITY BUSINESS TAX TIPS Hey, did you know? …the City of West Hollywood makes it easy for home businesses, independent contractors, freelancers, and small businesses to file for Business Tax Certificates online! The City also provides reduced tax rates for businesses during their first two years of operations. The first 12 months are exempt, except for certain fees and minimum tax, and the second 12 months are taxed at half the normal rate! Learn more at: https://blt.weho.org/Apply/GettingStarted/BusinessLicense Questions? Want to know more? Contact: Laura D’Ambrosia at the City of West Hollywood at ldambrosia@weho.org

GREEN CITY AWARDS & GREEN SEEDLINGS PRIZE Recognizing Local Environmental Actions by Individual Adults, Individual Youth, Businesses, & Organizations/Schools The City of West Hollywood launched the Green City Awards Program to recognize projects and practices that demonstrate excellence in environmental sustainability. Nominations are open to all and anyone interested is encouraged to apply. Applicants can self-nominate or elect to nominate a worthy project. Nomination forms and information about the awards program can be found at www.weho.org/gca. Questions? Please reach out to Erin Hamant at ehamant@weho.org and (323) 848-6859. Deadline to submit is 11:59 pm on Tuesday, June 15, 2021. 2 | VISIT US ONLINE AT WEHO.ORG/RECREATION

Chef Next Door! TORTELLINI WITH ASPARAGUS & LEMON Total Servings: 4 Total Time: 30 min

Ingredients: 2 packets (9oz each) refrigerated cheese tortellini 3 tablespoons butter 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 cups cut fresh asparagus (2 inch pieces) 3 garlic cloves, minced 1/8 teaspoon pepper 2 teaspoons chopped chives 1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley ½ teaspoons chopped fresh dill ½ teaspoon grated lemon zest 2 tablespoons lemon juice 2/3 cup crumbled feta cheese 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions: Cook tortellini according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat butter and oil over medium-high heat. Add asparagus; cook and stir 3-4 minutes or until crisp-tender. Add garlic and pepper; cook 1 minute longer. Remove from heat; stir in herbs, lemon zest and lemon juice. Drain tortellini; transfer to a large bowl. Stir in cheeses and asparagus mixture. Enjoy!

THE MINDFULNESS SERIES

UCLA MEMORY TRAINING

Free workshops for adults.

Held on Zoom. Must have smartphone, tablet or computer and internet to access and download Zoom Web Conferencing app. Once you have registered in the class, you will receive an email with a Zoom link to access your virtual classes.

To register visit www.weho.org/recreation

To register visit www.weho.org/recreation New students may not join after the 2nd session.

Instructor: Maggie Thomas, LCSW/M.Ed. Maggie Thomas is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has a private therapy practice. She is also a Reiki Master and Shamanic Practitioner.

TAKING CONTROL OF DEPRESSION 12315 | Wednesday, June 9 | 3:30 pm – 5 pm Do you feel sad and blue at times? Do you have low energy and do not want to do what you normally enjoy doing? Do you isolate yourself and refuse to participate in activities? This class is designed to put you back in control of your mood and provide you with information that helps you create a meaningful and joyful life.

12312 | Monday, June 7 – 28 | 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm 12313 | Friday, August 6 – 27 | 11:00 am – 12:30 pm This four-week class will teach strategies and exercises to improve your long-term memory and ability to retain and recall information. Developed by UCLA, this memory class provides practical ways to help you: Keep track of keys, phones, or other items. Retain and recall dates, phone numbers, addresses. Put names with faces.

ACCEPTANCE 12316 | Wednesday, July 7 | 3:30 pm – 5 pm Acceptance is the key to moving forward and detaching from the past to eliminate suffering. During this class, participants will learn how to mindfully, and joyfully, accept themselves as they are, without giving their power away to others.

TIME MANAGEMENT 12317 | Wednesday, August 11 | 3:30 pm – 5 pm How many of you wish there were more than 24 hours in a day? By learning how to effectively manage your time, you will not only complete your projects, but you will have time to have fun and even relax with a cup of tea or coffee!

ZOOM 101 Zoom is a video communications app that allows you to set up virtual video & audio conferencing with family, friends and neighbors! The City of West Hollywood's Recreation Services Division is offering a variety of activities & workshops on Zoom! If you're new to Zoom, visit WeHo Recreation on YouTube for a step-by-step tutorial on how to get started! For more information email recreation@weho.org, or call: (323) 848-6511.

CRAFT CORNER

CITY OF WEST HOLLYWOOD RECREATION SERVICES

Yarn Wrapped Can

8300 Santa Monica Boulevard West Hollywood, CA 90069 (323) 848-6308 weho.org

What you need:

Tin can String/Yarn/Twine n Tacky glue n

Sponge Scissors

What to do:

City of West Hollywood California 1984

1 Wash and dry the tin can you would like to use and remove the label.

2 Place a small amount of tacky glue in a small container and use a sponge to spread glue on the bottom half of the tin can. 3 When you reach the back of the tin can, place your string above the first row of string you created and continue to wrap the WeHo Word Search string around. If you notice that you have gaps between your rows of string, gently press the strings together.

WEHO WORD SEARCH

4 Continue the wrapping process until you reach the lip or the rim of the tin can. Try your best to end the wrapping process on the back of the can where you started. Cut your string and make sure that the tail is glued down to the can. 5 Ta-da! It is pretty and functional!

WeHo Crafts Yoga

Rec Reader

Spring Fest Recreation Ping Pong

4 | VISIT US ONLINE AT WEHO.ORG/RECREATION

Farmers Market Rec Reader Zoom Plummer Park

Farmers Market