LIFE, HEALTH & HAPPINESS FOR NORTH WHIDBEY’S 50-PLUS CROWD VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 5 • OCTOBER 2014
Identity Theft By Barb Spence
Recently a couple of our members were having a conversation about strange phone calls they have been receiving, where the caller was warning them about their computer being attacked. In an anxious voice the caller asked them for their email address so that he could access their computer and stop the crime. This might seem as if it is a ‘no brainer’ of someone trying to capture a person’s identity, but it’s not because people get taken in all the time. The member, telling the story, is reasonably computer savvy, but wondered and hesitated for several phone calls before hanging up on the caller and putting an end to it.
RACK ‘EM UP! By Barb Spence
Most weekday mornings a group of mostly men can be found in the Pool Room at the Oak Harbor Senior Activity Center, racking up balls and taking shots on the two billiards tables. They share stories, laughter and enjoyment, while they pass the time together playing their game. The players frequently joke with one another about the shots that they almost made or the perfect ball position that another player ruined with the next shot. “I put that dang thing away and you put it back,” you can hear from down the hall. “We have a good time,” another player comments. “Sometimes it’s fun and it’s better than TV.”
There needs to be a continual conversation about the problem of identity theft. This article is the first of several about this topic on cyber safety and identity security. It is important to continue to expand our learning curve in order to stop it from happening to us. WHAT IS IDENTITY THEFT? It is a crime that occurs when someone illegally obtains and uses personal information for their own gain. Your name, address, date of birth, Social THEFT continued on page 2
Some players are regulars five days a week, while others come when they can make it. The players come and go, with games starting up among whoever shows up. Almost all believe that the senior center has become a place to socialize, meet other seniors and become part of the center community. But there also is some turnover among the players, whether from health or relocation, and that’s something that the players do notice. The pool players all agree that they are always looking for more people to join them, whether in the mornings or into the afternoons. There has also been interest expressed in starting to draw women into the Pool Room. The group would like others to know that “this is a nice way to spend a day.” It’s true that most of the time the games are very friendly…however, on occasion they get a little cutthroat. It all depends on who shows up. The common element is the laughter that brings the fun to it all. The invitation is open. Please join the pool players. Grab your stick and your chalk and come on in.
A BIG EVENT IS COMING!
October 24 5:30 pm Oak Harbor Senior Center
Tickets: $15.00 Get your tickets early! Bring your friends and family. Good food, great company, and exciting entertainment.
C.O.P.E.S.
What is it? How Can I Get It? Is It Right For Me? COPES is a Medicaid program funded through DSHS. Its purpose is to provide personal care assistance to those who are financially and functionally eligible to enable them to stay in their own home or assisted living facility.
Join us on Monday, October 13, from 1:00-4:00 pm at the Oak Harbor Senior Center to take an opportunity to receive an overview of the COPES program from application to implementation, directly from actual DSHS and Senior Services staff who may be involved. This is a FREE event! RSVP by contacting Mason Leland, Information and Assistance for Senior Services of Island County at 360-675-0311.
AND THE WINNER IS… Nancy Simmons, a regular visitor to the Senior Center each week, is the lucky winner of the beautiful quilt that was made and donated by the Quilters at our Senior Center. Nancy bought raffle tickets each time she came in to have lunch. Her donations and all of the other donations go to our OHSC Foundation for our programming and classes.
INSIDE THIS EDITION Guest Spot....Pg. 2 Library Events ..........Pg. 3 Volunteer Showcase .....Pg. 4 Sudoku Puzzle...........Pg. 4 Calendar ......Pg. 5 Travel ...........Pg. 6 Menu ...........Pg. 6 Activities & Events .......Pg. 7