February 2019
From the Executive Director, Andy Gaines
Dear Villagers & Friends,

At our January 28th Board Retreat, we re-affirmed the Ashby Village founding principles: Community, Sustainability and Diversity. Now, through what is called “strategic evolution” - a thoughtful future-looking planning process – we plan for our future while continuing to adhere to those founding principles.  

We began the planning process this past fall when we conducted our first organizational assessment. It included interviews with staff, volunteers, members and team and committee leaders. The resulting report revealed the need to realign a variety of organizational roles and responsibilities as we approached our 10th year in the community.

At the same time, a long-time Ashby Village volunteer who lives in Richmond began rallying her neighbors who had expressed an interest in joining Ashby Village. They formed a steering committee, hosted community meetings and conducted a survey. At the volunteer training this weekend, seven prospective volunteers will participate as a result of these efforts. All of this has led to the planned launch later this year of the Ashby Village - Richmond Membership Pilot with the intention of adding a part of Richmond to our Ashby Village service area.

I am looking forward to these next months of working with the Ashby Village Board and Member Planning Committee to guide our “strategic evolution” and ensure that we continue to bolster the Ashby Village founding principles. 
Upcoming Events
Slides & Stories From the World Nomad Games With Audre & Roger Newman
Friday, February 1, 3:00-4:00 pm
Ashby Village, 1821 Catalina Ave., Berkeley

Audre and Roger Newman present slides and stories from their September 2018 journey to the World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia. Contestants from over 75 countries met and competed in contests of horsemanship, falconry, archery, wrestling and other sports.

Come and get a taste of this extraordinary experience!
Living Room Chat
Sunday, February 17, 2:00-4:00 pm
El Cerrito RSVP for location

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.
Adult Story Time: 3 Inuit Tales
Friday, March 1, 3:00-4:00 pm
Ashby Village, 1821 Catalina Ave., Berkeley

Don't miss one of of the newest stories in the Berkeley Public Library Adult Story Time series, 3 Inuit Tales: The Seagull and Her Two Uncles, The Blind Boy and the Loon, The Magic Drum

Immerse yourself in the fiercely beautiful nature of the Arctic, where the lines between humans and other species blur and intersect. Original artwork and indigenous music will supplement the stories. We’ll also bring a thematic treat to sample- but it’s not blubber!
This Chair Rocks: A Conversation With Ashton Applewhite
Friday, March 15, 1:00-2:30 pm
Clark Kerr Campus, Krutch Theater 
2601 Warring Street, Berkeley, CA, 94720 

The UCB Retirement Center and Ashby Village are pleased to host Ashton Applewhite, activist and author of This Chair Rocks, a rousing manifesto against discrimination and prejudice on the basis of age. Our hope for this event is to inspire you to join us in a consciousness-raising effort, bringing together many generations to do what is right for people of all ages -- those who are older and those hoping to get there.
Volunteers
Meet Our New Volunteer Connections Team Coordinator: Ellen Newman
After having been retired almost two years, Ellen Newman decided it was time for her to do some community work when she just happened to get a call from Ashby Village. A friend of hers who was becoming an Ashby Village volunteer had listed Ellen as a reference. By the time the phone call was over and Ellen had listened to a description of the services and programs AV offers, she decided Ashby Village might be the perfect place for her too...

Read more about Ellen here .
MedPal Training
Thursday, February 14
10:00-11:30 am
Ashby Village, 1821 Catalina Ave., Berkeley

Are you interested in assisting Village members through the cycle of a medical appointment?

Ashby Village MedPals help members brainstorm questions or concerns before their medical appointment; take notes or help fill out forms during the appointment; and may stay with a member for a short while after the appointment if an outpatient procedure occurs.

Find out more about becoming a Medpal here. MedPals must be vetted volunteers.
Announcements
What is the Connections Team?
The Connections Team provides friendly visits for members who, for a variety of reasons, may be socially isolated. Are you having mobility problems that keep you at home; wanting a walking companion or someone with whom to share a cup of tea on a regular basis?

If so, please email Ellen Newman at connections@ashbyvillage.org for more information about our friendly visitors from the Connections Team at Ashby Village.
Interested in Receiving the Monthly Later On Email?
Later On is an active, committed, and ongoing group that is exploring what we need to do to care for ourselves as we age. We grew out of the Next Steps presentation at Ashby Village in July of 2018. 

Like Next Steps, we primarily focus on housing issues related to what we might need to do in order to stay in our own homes while making provisions for declining health. We also research what it takes to make arrangements to move into a group facility that may provide an assisted living option. We collectively research topics of interest to us and learn together what we need to know, thereby supporting ourselves and each other in this challenging process.

Although our group is full right now, we do have a waiting list for anyone who is interested.  

If you would like to receive our monthly emails, please send a request to Charlotte or call her at 510-540-7185.  
Why You Should Register for Events
One of the privileges of Ashby Village is its wide range of social, cultural and educational events. We are fortunate to be able to offer and continue to expand our programming. One way you can help is by registering for events you plan to attend.

If registration numbers are low, we don't know if that means only a few people plan to attend, or if it means many people simply didn't register. In some cases, we have to cancel events with low registration because a speaker, understandably, may not want to spend the time and effort it takes to prepare if the turnout is a nearly empty room.

So don't miss out! Registration details are always posted in an event's description. Thank you for your support of Village events!
Plan Ahead to Submit Articles to This Newsletter
Would you like your event or notice to appear in the Village Voices Newsletter? Use this simple form to submit your material. 

It takes us time to prepare each issue! Remember that the DEADLINE for each newsletter is the 15th of the previous month. Late submissions are not guaranteed placement in the next newsletter.
Tech Tips
Interested in apps for your iPad? 

In this month’s Tech Tips, volunteer Pat Hom explains how to find Apple apps, including games, news, weather, sports, music, health & fitness, videos, productivity, business and more!

Click   here to learn more.  
 
Would you like personal assistance from Technology & Electronics Volunteers?

Volunteers can help you with a wide range of devices!

Do you want to learn how to get more out of your smart phone or tablet? Call us!

Not sure how to get your TV hooked up? Call us!

Interested in finally getting your printer to work? Call us!

Are you ready to learn how to use Skype or FaceTime to have video calls with friends and family? Call us!

Have you had enough of that weird thing that keeps happening with your computer? Call us!

To request service, please email info@ashbyvillage.org or call 510-204-9200.
Would you like to learn about technology in a workshop setting?

Ashby Village and the UC Berkeley Retirement Center are cosponsoring monthly workshops on the third Tuesday of each month, 10:30am-12pm at Ashby Village. Upcoming topics are:



To register, email info@ashbyvillage.org or call 510-204-9200. If you have questions, email Maryl Gearhart at marylgear@mac.com.
Neighborhood Groups &
Ongoing Activities
Take Advantage of February's Nature Walks
Nature Walk
It is easy to nest indoors during the cold winter months, but we can't forget to get out and get on the move. Join your fellow Villagers on one of February's many walk options!

Monday, February 4, 10:00-11:00 am
Monday Morning by the Bay (every Monday)

Saturday, February 9, 1:30-3:30 pm

Saturday, February 16, 9:30 am-12:00 pm

Saturday, February 23, 11:00 am-1:00 pm
Emery Bunch Coffee & Conversation: The Art of Linking Mind and Eye Through Photography
Join Emery Bunch Villagers for a talk from one of their Watergate neighbors: photographer, Nick Sebastian. Nick will talk about and show his incredible photographs of birds, wildlife and scenes of the beauty in and around Emeryville.

All are welcome!

Tuesday, February 12, 11:00am-12:00pm
Clipper Club at Watergate Towers, 5 Captain Dr., Emeryville 

Details about the event are here.
Reflection: Wildcat Ridge Walk
The walk on Saturday, January 26, 2019 was beautiful! The hills were carpeted with lush green grass brought on by the recent rains. Several varieties of mushrooms pushed their way to the earth’s surface among the pines. California newts were carrying on in their mating tangles at one of the vernal pools (see photo to the left). A red-tailed hawk hovered overhead searching for ground squirrels. Already, bluebirds were pairing up and selecting their private nesting boxes. And not one of us stepped in any of the many cow pies that dotted the trail. It was a walk full of the richness of nature!

Come and join us for one of February's upcoming walks. You won't be disappointed!
Tuesday, February 5, 2:30-4:30 pm, Elder Action at Ashby Village, 1821 Catalina Ave., Berkeley. RSVP

Tuesday, February 12, 1:00-3:00 pm, Scrabble at Ashby Village. RSVP.

Tuesday, February 13, 3:00-5:00 pm, Science and Ideas at Ashby Village. No RSVP required.

Monday, February 18, 7:00-9:00 pm, Nonfiction Book Club. Email Tobey or call her at 510-653-4205 to reserve your spot.

Wednesday, February 20, 2:00-3:30, Low Vision Support Group at Ashby Village. RSVP

 Wednesday, February 20, 3:30-5:00 pm, Hearing Impaired Support Group at Ashby Village. RSVP

Wednesday, February 27, 1:00-3:00 pm, Shakespeare Reading Group at Ashby Village. RSVP

Check out our online calendar for the full view of our upcoming meetings, activities and other events.
Reflections on Past Events
January 27: Lifelines and Deadlines
Ashby Village and Epworth United Methodist Church's Older Adult Ministry hosted the premiere screening of Lifelines and Deadlines on January 27. Followed by a talk with Dr. Lonny Shavelson about end-of-life issues, the event sparked many memories of our late, beloved Village member, Chana Bloch, as well as a great deal of engaging discussion.

Own Your Own Copy Of Lifelines and Deadlines
Experience poet and Ashby Village member Chana Bloch's last public reading. The poems she shared eventually became part of her posthumously published collection, The Moon is Almost Full.

Would you like to own your own copy of Lifelines and Deadlines, the film premiered at January 27's Arts & Culture event? Click below.
Bulletin Board
FREE Conference - Dementia Challenges: The Journey, Pain and Family Dynamics
Join a host of wonderful speakers, all experts in their field, discussing many of the issues common to the disease of dementia: Diagnosis, Medications, Prevention, Person Centered Care, Engagement and Activities, Legal issues, and Caregiver Challenges.

Wednesday, March 20, 2019, 12:00-5:00 pm
Hilton Garden Inn – Top of the Bay Room, 1800 Powell Street, Emeryville

Space is limited! Free registration here.
Mountain View Cemetery Historical Walking Tours
Are you interested in East Bay history? Mountain View Cemetery invites you to join one of their scheduled tours on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month (they are also able to arrange private tours for groups). Subjects range from a general history of the cemetery, to notable figures, to the different species of trees in the area. See their events page for the current schedule and to see some of the specially themed tours coming up in February and March!

Contact their Outreach & Events Coordinator, Danielle Roth for more information or to set up a tour.
Conscious Aging: A Free Monthly Support Group
Janet Piggins, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who presented at Ashby Village in 2018, is running a new, drop-in support group for anyone 50 and older.

This will be a place for individuals to share their experiences and concerns with likeminded peers. There will be a general theme at each meeting (e.g. navigating change, life review). The majority of time will be spent discussing what is pertinent in lives of attendees right now. This group is based on the work of Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, author of From Age-ing to Sage-ing: A Revolutionary Approach to Growing Older.

Every 3rd Wednesday, 10:00-11:30 am
North Berkeley Public Library, 1170 The Alameda

Contact Janet for more information.
In Loving Memory
Bob Apte
1924-2019
Our beloved member Bob Apte died in mid-January at 94-years-old. Bob had a long and productive career in the fields of Social Work and Public Health. He was a gifted photographer and his interest in people of all cultures was realized as he photographed people from all over the world. His 66-year marriage to his wife Evelyn was a true partnership, and he adored his two sons, 4 grandchildren and his great-granddaughter. Bob was a special man with a broad range of interests and a love of beauty and of life. We will miss Bob at Ashby Village.
Thank you to the Ashby Village volunteers who contributed to this issue of the Village Voices newsletter:  Karin Evans, Nancy Rubin, Peter Sussman, Audre Newman, Ellen Newman
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