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March 2018 Newsletter

In This Issue
Participants at the Earthquake Preparedness event that took place on 2/22
  climate
Upcoming Events 
Pre-Happy Hour presentation - A Bipartisan Solution to Climate Change
 
Friday, March 2, 4 - 4 PM 
Ashby Village, 1821 Catalina Ave., Berkeley
 
We are often told about problems such as carbon dioxide emissions, coal, waste, and traffic but we rarely hear about the solutions. This presentation by Brian Cronin (Outreach Leader of the Alameda County chapter of Citizens' Climate Lobby) will introduce a solution called Carbon Fee and Dividend that would greatly lower emissions without damaging the economy.        
  RSVP here 
embracing
Embracing Change Series
Sustaining Quality of Life During Serious Illness
 
Thursday, March 8, 10 - 12 PM
Ashby Village, 1821 Catalina Ave., Berkeley

Dr. Steven Z. Pantilat, Professor in Palliative Care in the Department of Medicine at UCSF, will discuss his recently published book, Life After the Diagnosis: Expert Advice on Living Well with Serious Illness for Patients and Caregivers and share his innovative approaches for dealing with serious illness.
RSVP required - the event is almost fully booked!
film
Food Evolution Documentary Screening

Wednesday, March 14, 3 - 4:30 PM
Ashby Village, 1821 Catalina Ave., Berkeley

The 52-minute documentary presents the story of GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) and the many issues and controversies surrounding them. A small donation is requested.
RSVP 
LRCMarch Living Room Chat (Info Event)
 
Sunday, March 11, 2 - 4 PM 
Home of member Joanne Carder
 
Invite a friend to join our Living Room Chat! They'll have the opportunity to hear what Ashby Village offers to our members and volunteers, how it enhances their quality of life, and why it helps them develop peace of mind about the future. 
volunteerVolunteers
VolunteerBCause   
Hearts N' Hands Upcoming Events  

 
Thursday March 8,  11:00am- 2:30pm 
Window Washing Caravan
Volunteers will meet to wash a few members' windows in their homes. 

Wednesday March 21, 11:30am-4:00pm
Pulling up some weeds
For this project volunteers will help clean up a member's yard. 

Wednesday April 11, 9:30-2:30pm
Sprucing up a yard
For this project volunteers will help with clearing, thinning, and pruning a backyard and garden, etc.   To find out more

 service
A Message from the Service Provider Vetting Team! 
Joann Sullivan & Judy Boe
 
Do you have a reliable gardener that helps around your yard or garden? How about an experienced electrician or handy person? OR have you had an awesome experience lately with a professional provider? Please let us know...we'd love to add them to our Preferred Provider list and share them with our Ashby Village Community!    

 
Announcement
announcement
Creating an age-friendly Berkeley - Take the Survey
    
The population of older adults in Berkeley will double in the next decade. This survey is part of a collaboration between the City of Berkeley, Lifelong Medical Care, The Center for Independent Living, and Ashby Village with the goal to make Berkeley a place where older adults can stay and thrive. If you are age 50 or older and live in Berkeley, please consider taking this confidential  SURVEY Results of the survey will be discussed at a public forum this spring, date to be announced

 gerry
People of Ashby Village 
 Member Profile: Gerry Abrams  

Gerry Abrams
After feeling warmly welcomed by Ashby Village, and finding other AV members with similar interests, retired UC physicist Gerry Abrams initiated the Science & Ideas interest group. Now he would like to chronicle and videotape fellow members talking about the high points in their lives.
sueFrom the Story Team
Sue Bender (Reframing Aging: Bonus Edition) 

 
I've learned that if you get out of the way, there's breathing space for the unexpected, and something comes through. In these recent years, that's been a big theme for me-leave room for the unexpected.  

techTech Tips
 
Emergency Resources

Monty Sher (Technology Team) presents the alternatives to the 'panic button': emergency devices you can use when you remain conscious, and emergency devices that enable others to detect if you are unconscious.

Would you like assistance?  Register for drop-in assistance at the office the second Tuesday of every month from 2:15-4:30 p.m. Contact the office if you'd like to set up an appointment at volunteer@ashbyvillage.org or (510) 204-9200.

interestgroupInterest & Neighborhood Groups
& Ongoing Activites 

New Hearing-Impaired Support Group!

hearing
Wednesday, March 21, 3:30 - 5 PM
Ashby Village Office, 1821 Catalina Ave., Berkeley

Are you hearing-impaired and would like to meet other hearing-impaired members for support and/or to share tips, strategies, coping skills, friendship, etc?
Are you looking to buy your first hearing aid or replace your current one? Please come to our first meeting.    RSVP or to find out more.


New Interest Group: Building a Life in Retirement

Tuesday, March 20, 2 - 4 pm
Ashby Village Office, 1821 Catalina Ave., Berkeley

"Now that you've retired, are you feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the challenges you face such as: How do I best utilize my new found freedom? What gives your life a sense of purpose?" Participants will come together once a month to create a space where we can discuss the above concerns with one another. Frances Nurske and Miriam Rabinovitz, both newly retired and new to Ashby Village, will facilitate the group." 
RSVP here  
  
 
Ongoing Activities

Thursday, March 8, 3 - 5 PM: Science & Ideas Group
Ashby Village Office, 1821 Catalina Ave., Berkeley

Weekly on Mondays 12 - 3 PM : Mahjong North Berkeley  at Gloria Davis' house (wheelchair accessible) 
 
Monday, March 12, 3:30 - 4:30 PM:   Outlandish Android Users Group  Rockridge RSVP Alison Colgan  
 
Tuesday, March 13, 2:15 - 4:30 PM: Drop-In Technology Assistance at Ashby Village office (new monthly program!)

Thursday, March 18, 2 - 4 PM:  Documentary watching at Clarewood, home of Mary Goldstein 
 
Thursday, March 22, 1:30 - 4 PM: Hamlet Neighborhood Group Movie Matinee Mob at Albany Twin Theatre, 1115 Solano Ave., Albany
 
Wednesday, March 28, 3 - 4:45 PM: Global Issues Group, Ashby Village Office, 1821 Catalina Ave., Berkeley

Check the online calendar for more Events. 
 
past-eventReflections from Past Events
Conversation with Anne Colby: Well-Being and Life with Purpose 

Having meaningful goals can add a lot to one's life, but when those goals are not only personally meaningful but also contribute to something larger, beyond the self, the benefits for individual and collective well-being are even more powerful.  
 
Retirement Transition Workshop

In January Ashby Village again collaborated with the UC Berkeley Retirement to present a Retirement Transition Workshop. Facilitated by Village members Joel Kaufmann and Mary Graham, the workshop was designed for small and large groups to discuss issues around the shift from a full-time job to being "retired."  This year 20 people attended, including five Village members and volunteers. The discussions were lively, and the workshop evaluations expressed appreciation for the opportunity to share stories and to discover the diversity of approaches to retirement transitions.   
 
lost-foundLost & Found
Lost and Found Items
Have you visited the office for an event  and lost or forgot an item?

Click here to see if one of these items is yours.

Items not claimed will be donated!
readingWhat we are reading 
 
"...older, but happier"  b y D. Netburn,  Los Angeles Times,  8/24/2016

"...aging in place technology" by S. Abrahms, Kiplinger, 6/2017

"...hoarding...who me?", New York Magazine, 4/2016

"...brain boosting", CBCnews/Health, 6/22/2017   

"...stuff, stuff and more stuff" by T. Verde, The New York Times,    9/18/2017 (submitted by Jan Corazza)   

"...come on and dance" by A. Norton, US News, 10/12/2017   

"...ageism never gets old" by T. Friend, The New Yorker, 11/20/2017 (submitted by Steve Lustig)
 
 
...and watching

Friends in Sebastopol considering forming a village
recommend this TED Talk:  "The secret to living longer..." 
 
bulletinbBulletin Board
Oral History Services 

An Ashby Village volunteer is offering an opportunity (at the AV member's home), to record and preserve memories, reminiscences, etc. that are significant for him/her. Volunteer will bring a camera, tripod to the site, and formatting and editing will be completed by volunteer with member's approval. If you are interested, please email Shirley Kirsten.
Volunteer Opportunity: Tele-Care 

Have you heard about Tele-Care?
Tele-Care

Tele-Care has been serving members of our community since 1970. Through daily phone service, seniors receive caring support, concern and friendship from dedicated volunteers, 365 days a year.
If you are interested in volunteering with Tele-Care, or to  find out more.
Allan Jensen, Ashby Village volunteer, exhibits at UC Berkeley Faculty Club 

Visit Allan's 3rd photo exhibit at the Berkeley Faculty Club (UC Berkeley), Monday to Friday, 9 am - 9 pm. The show is located in the main hallway of the "Great Hall" and Kerr dining room. The subject matter of the photos is images from nature and wildlife in the immediate Bay Area.
memory 
In Loving Memory 
Nancy Thomas
December 23, 1953 - February 5, 2018

With sadness we share the passing of Nancy Thomas, 64, of Emeryville. Though born in Oakland, Nancy grew up on the East Coast and received a master's degree from the University of Massachusetts before returning to the Bay Area in 1980. She worked at the Alameda County Network of Mental Health Clients, and, as a lover of music, performed in FAT LIP Readers Theatre and sang with the Threshold Singers of the East Bay.
Eva Kertesz 
January 18, 1921 - January 31, 2018  

Eva celebrated her 97th birthday (which they enjoyed several times) and played scrabble to the end.   
She was generous, kind, accepting person who welcomed all into her life.  

Thank you to all Ashby Village volunteers who contribute to the Village Voices newsletter: Richard Bermack, Charli Depner, Nancy Rubin, Cynthia Overbeck Bix, Gert Weil, Karin Evans




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