Closures & Class Cancellations

Craft Fair Friday Do some holiday shopping while supporting local craftspeople and Senior Coastsiders! Craft Fair will take place on Friday, December 2 from noon-3:00PM. Various members of our craft groups will be participating and there will also be a costume jewelry sale. Between 10-100% of proceeds will go directly to Senior Coastsiders.

Fitzgerald Marine Reserve Land Tour This free docent-led walking tour at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in Moss Beach will take participants through the trails to the blufftop area above the Marine Reserve. We will learn about native plants, the Indigenous people who lived in the area, and some geology. Group will meet Tuesday, December 13 at 10:30AM at the visitor center and presentation and tour will begin at 10:45AM. A bagged lunch will be provided by Senior Coastsiders. Tour will finish with lunch and a Q&A at the visitor center at 12:30 and ending at 1:00PM. Sign ups required - please sign up with the Senior Coastsiders office in person or by calling 650-726-9056.

Big Wave Surf Presentation The Half Moon Bay History Association, in partnership with Senior Coastsiders, is thrilled that big wave surfers, Ryan Seelbach and Bianca Valenti, will be presenting a talk on our local big wave spot, the historic, Mavericks! Please join us for an evening of awe and inspiration. Tuesday, December 13. Doors open at 5:30PM and presentation begins at 6:00PM.

World Cup Coverage Everyone is a soccer fan during the World Cup! We will be showing many of the games in the dining room at Senior Coastsiders - and it is always more fun to watch with friends! Check with the office for schedules - we will NOT have games on during music performances or other special programming at lunch.

Holiday Bouquet Arrangement Gather with members of the National Charity League Coastside Chapter to make flower arrangements for our birthday/holiday luncheon. This will be a lovely opportunity to collaborate with amazing young women from the Coastside. Tuesday, December 20 from 2:30-3:30PM. Reserve your spot by stopping by or calling the office. All flowers and supplies will be on site but bring your favorite floral scissors if you have some! NCL, Inc., Coastside Chapter is a group of mothers and daughters who have come together in a commitment to community service, leadership development and cultural experiences.

Holiday Luncheon Join us on Wednesday, December 21 for a special holiday lunch when our chef will prepare an extra special meal of roasted turkey and all the fixin's. No reservation required but you may want to arrive a bit early!

Let's all go to the movies! We'll provide the popcorn and the film, you just need to be entertained. Each month, we roll down the big screen in the dining room for a feature film (some old, some new). This month, join us to watch Elf on Wednesday, December 21 at 3:00PM

Mystery Book Club This group meets the first Wednesday of each month at 12:00PM (December 7 this month). The group will be discussing Clark and Division, by Naomi Hirahara The group meets in person with Zoom option. To connect via Zoom, click HERE (passcode BOOKS) or contact vaughnharrison@yahoo.com. Future books can be picked up at the Senior Coastsiders office at 925 Main Street.

Half Moon Bay Library at Senior Coastsiders Library staff will be in the Senior Coastsiders Dining Room the third Wednesday of each month during our birthday celebration. Swing by the table to check out and return books and see what's new at the library!

Sea Crest Pen Pal Program Our second grade friends up the street are practicing their writing skills and would love to exchange letters with our participants! So far we have paired up 15 pen pals but we are looking for 10 more seniors to participate. The process is simple, come by the office and pick out your second grader from the 'mailboxes' they have left. Read their first note to you and then respond to their letter and leave it at the office with us to return to the students.

Envirotokens Voting December 1-13 In the last six months, Senior Coastsiders has received over $1000 from the New Leaf Envirotokens program! Every time someone uses their own bag and puts a token in the Senior Coastsiders slot, we get money! But, every six months there is a vote to decide which organizations get to participate so we need your VOTE! Ballots will be available in the store during the voting period. The top 6 vote recipients in each store will receive Envirotoken donations each month with the new period starting January 1, 2023.

Wise Woman Yoga Tuesdays, 11:00AM-12:30PM. Wise Woman Yoga was created for women in peri-menopause, menopause and beyond. This class will focus on yoga practices for bone building, the pelvic floor, stiff joints, insomnia and hot flashes. Practices have been collected or created to bring strength and flexibility to the spine; to balance the endocrine system; to soothe and cool the nervous system and to focus the mind. Each class will include relaxation to promote a good night’s sleep.

Senior's Dinner Club at It's Italia Come in and enjoy the fun and community of a family style dinner served at the It's Italia's "Grandfather Table" that seats 10 guests. The Senior's Dinner Club meets the second Thursday of each month (December 8 this month) for a 5:00PM seating. Enjoy a three-course seasonal menu designed by Chef Maile del Fierro for a set price of $25 (Includes coffee, tea, and soft drinks. Alcoholic beverages and gratuity not included). Payment and reservation to be made with the Senior Coastsiders office. Space is limited to the first 10 people who sign up and pay each month. This is a great chance to meet new or old friends at one of our fine downtown establishments. Be sure to take advantage of this amazing deal!

International Days in the Dining Room International cuisine AND special programming? What could be better!? One day each month will feature an international dish accompanied by trivia, games, music, or activities about the featured country. Join us Wednesday, December 14 for Brautwurst, potatoes and veggies as we celebrate Germany! Passports not required!

Did you know that in addition to congregate dining and home delivered meals, Senior Coastsiders provides ongoing information and assistance including referrals and care management? Information on a variety of services is available to respond to the diverse needs and interests of older adults and adults with disabilities, enhance their dignity, support their independence and encourage their involvement in the community. A care manager is available on staff to consult, advise and assist older adults and adults with disabilities with the issues they may face. And, if you need transportation to the center, it can be arranged with a suggested donation of $1.00 each way. Check with the Senior Coastsiders office for more information.

Holiday Shopping?Senior Coastsiders Cookbook - Cookin' on the Coast This collection of recipes comes from volunteers, participants, and even our own chef! Cookbooks available for purchase now for $20.00 each. Order online HERE or come to the Senior Coastsiders office. Books are also being sold at Inkspell Books at 500 Purissima Street in town.

Lunch with your instructor Pre and post class time can be a bit hectic with busy schedules. Wouldn't it be nice to sit and chat over a meal with your class instructor? Pilates and Functional Movement instructor, Kerri Dorn, will be sticking around on the first Friday of each month to have lunch in the dining room and chat with students - without the stress of starting class late or missing an appointment! Come join Kerri for lunch and a chance to chat on Friday, December 2!

Coastal Arts League Friday Art Classes Class topics/mediums change each week but class is sure to delight and educate! Join this free class on Fridays from 12:30-2:00PM.

LIve Music! Who doesn't love a little live music!? We have live music in the dining room at least once a week during lunch! Come see who's playing!

Friday Grocery Bus Service to the store for campus residents every Friday. Drop off available at both Safeway and New Leaf shopping centers. Bus will pick up behind the center at 12:45PM and return to campus at 2:00PM. If you would like to take advantage of this service, please call the office at 650-726-9056. Suggested donation of $2.00 round-trip.

Computer Tutoring We have volunteer tech tutors four days a week. Come in and troubleshoot or learn how to better use your computer or smart phone!

Culinary Antiques Roadshow With the holidays approaching, will you be pulling out your Grandmother’s silver for the banquet table? Do you have a utensil that you’ve never known what its use was? In this engaging and hands-on presentation, culinary historian and Meals on Wheels volunteer Carrie Tillie will walk you through the history and advances of metalworking trades and techniques and influences these had on silversmiths worldwide. Walking us through the invention of Old Sheffield Plate in 1743 through the rise of electroplate, she will share examples from her expansive collection, bringing us into the Victorian and Edwardian eras with its novelty and specialty cutlery; from asparagus, anchovy, lemon, and oyster forks to bonbon, jelly, mote, and olive spoons. She will also be serving some spirited holiday punch from a Dickens-era silver negus pot and will help identify any gastronomic utensils you may wish to bring along. Wednesday, December 7 at 5:00PM.

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Display Fellow participant, Ed Martin, will be displaying his many historical pieces during lunch at Senior Coastsiders on Thursday, December 7 in the dining room. He is a wealth of knowledge - be sure to stop by!

Holiday Dance Performance and Dance Along! Join us for a special Holiday Dance Performance from the Shely Pack Dancers, which will include an interactive festive dance with the audience at the end. Grandchildren and grandparents are welcome to join! Monday December 12, 4:30PM.

Holiday Caroling We will be joined by 2nd grade students from Sea Crest school during lunch on December 15 for carols and a sing-a-long. Then, on Tuesday, December 20 at 4:00PM, missionaries and friends from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be coming to sing Christmas carols. Please join in to listen and to sing along!

NEW Singing Group (English) Join other Coastside voices for the the camaraderie and joy that comes from group singing! Group will be participant led and meet in the Sunroom - with the piano - on Thursdays at 1:00PM (excluding the 1st Thursday of each month).

Parkinson's Support Group Wednesday, December 7 from 2:30-3:30PM. The group is made up of those with Parkinson's and their family members and caregivers and provides a wonderful opportunity to share experiences and resources.

Added - Rosen Movement with Kate O'Shea In addition to our Wednesday in-person class with Jetta, you can now join Kate O'Shea in person the third Friday of each month at 11:00AM (December 16 this month). Rosen Movement helps move all your joints, promotes ease of breath, inner wellbeing and awareness of how we move in the world. All of this happens with good music, rhythm and community. Come join us! For more information, or to also join Kate's zoom classes on other Fridays, please contact Kate by email at kate.oshea.pt@gmail.com.

My Senior Center - My Active Center Now that most of our Senior Coastsiders community has become accustomed to our new My Senior Center, we are rolling out the next awesome feature! My Active Center (MAC) allows participants to log in from their home computer, phone, or tablet to reserve their spot in a class or activity. Even more importantly, MAC enables Senior Coastsiders to use a new and more streamlined Zoom interface for those who do classes at home, and to more easily track attendance. Some classes have already made the transition and more are coming. Keep an eye out for information on how to set up your My Active Center account. And for our technology gurus, you can preview My Active Center by clicking HERE for a pdf of what is to come.

Do you shop on Amazon? Did you know that every time you buy something through Amazon, you could be supporting Senior Coastsiders? Visit smile.amazon.com and sign in with your Amazon.com credentials. Search and choose Senior Coastsiders as your charitable organization and start shopping! Add a bookmark for smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile!

Free Home Covid Tests With the holidays in full swing, be sure to come by for a few free Covid tests and ensure a safe gathering! Senior Coastsiders has home Covid tests available for older adults on a first come, first served basis. Please call or stop by for more information or to pick up a test.

Free KN95 Masks Available Senior Coastsiders has KN95 masks available for older adults. Please stop by our office. Limit 2 per person.

Writing Life Stories with Sandy Miranda This class was so well received, we are doing it again! Students will join a like-minded and convivial group to write about their lives and family history. With the help of evocative handouts, participants will be inspired to recall important incidents and turning points in their lives and write them down in a page or two as if writing a letter to a friend. Reflective techniques will also be explored. Participants will clarify what has been most important so they can “pass down the pearls” of their wisdom to future generations. Sharing of stories is encouraged! Sandy Miranda has a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Philosophy and over thirty years of adult-level multicultural teaching experience. Two previous students had this to say, “I enjoyed being able to devote time to interesting topics and to consider, reflect on, and write about them.” - Sylvia. "Sandy is an excellent facilitator: supportive, enthusiastic and encouraging. I was amazed at my recall and thoroughly enjoyed the process." - Dotty. In the class you will:

Come Dance at the Oddfellows Lodge! The Odd Fellows Lodge in Half Moon Bay has a great dance floor and offers “dance your own way” music on the first Saturday of each month. As a Covid precaution windows remain open and system circulates outside air in.

Christmas Day Lunch at the IDES Hall If you are a Coastside senior who would enjoy some company for Christmas dinner, come for this great holiday event at the IDES Hall! Reservations required - please call 650-726-5067. December 25, 2:00-4:00PM. Dinner, caroling, and SANTA!

VA Resources, Benefits, & Medical Services Tuesday, December 6 from 10:00AM-2:00PM. Drop by the Half Moon Bay Library to ask questions. Learn about benefits for veterans, their spouses, dependents and parents of deceased veterans. For more information, stop by the library.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a nonprofit that provides free help with naturalization, will be hosting a free workshop with one-on-one lawyers to assist with the immigration application process on December 4^th at the Half Moon Bay Library from 10am-2pm.

Register here: HERE.

The Consumer Corps is a secret-shopper program where customers provide anonymous feedback about their rides. By completing and submitting at least eight ride evaluation forms in a quarter, Corps members receive one Redi-Wheels ticket book = 10 tickets. All forms and stamped envelopes supplied or you can complete evaluations online. To learn more, call (650) 299-1442, email sanmateopcc2@gmail.com, or go to sanmateopcc.org.

NEW Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Line - 988 Similar to 911, this new, simplified tool will connect those in need with representatives specifically trained in the management of suicide risk and other mental health crises. One of the goals of the new number is to reduce the use of 911 for suicide and mental health crises, because calling 911 in such situations too often results in inadequate or inappropriate intervention by the police or unnecessary hospitalization or incarceration. This lifeline is critical for older adults and those living with a disability because such individuals are at greater risk for mental 

Village of the Coastside Thursday, December 22 VOTC Movie Night at the HMB Library featuring To Kill a Mockingbird 5:30-8:00PM. Join other Village members at the movies! To Kill a Mockingbird is a 1962 American drama film about Atticus Finch, a widowed lawyer in Depression-era Alabama who defends a black man against an undeserved rape charge, and his children against prejudice. Directed by Robert Mulligan. No

The Senior Community Service Program (SCSEP) with Felton Institute. SCSEP is a federal funded subsidized workforce training program from the Department of Labor/California Department of Aging. Their mission is to assist older adults in transitioning back into the workforce by helping them with training, addressing barriers, and empowering them to maximize their skillsets. They are able to offer an ongoing paid training stipend that pays the current minimum wage for 12 hours per week while enrolled in our program. The position is temporary, and the mission is to assist trainees in finding unsubsidized employment.

If you or an older adult you know is interested in this paid training workforce development opportunity, please send resumes or inquire with any questions to scsep@felton.org.   

The facilitator, James Mitchell, PhD, teaches Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and leads the Mindfulness Alumni Programs at the Osher Center for Integrative Health at UCSF. He focuses on the connection between and application of psychology, philosophy, and mind-body practices for health and well-being. This session which will meet on Tuesday, December 13 at 4:00PM via Zoom. Registration is required. Please stop by the office to reserve your spot or go to the Upcoming Events on the Senior Coastsiders website. If you are unable to do Zoom at home, Senior Coastsiders can provide a space to participate at the center but please do let the office know of your needs.

Please register HERE or call or stop by the Senior Coastsiders office.

In a study conducted among older adults right here on the Coast, individuals who reported high levels of resilience had long held behaviors of contemplative practices that helped them effectively adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, this study found a strong relationship between higher resilience and improved well-being. This study has just been published in an academic journal after having gone through a rigorous peer review process. If you would like to read the study, it can be accessed HERE.

Senior Coastsiders Pet Buddy Program provides support services for seniors and their pets. Volunteers can help with temporary dog walking, in home cat care, medication assistance, transportation to the vet, and more! The program also provides pet food, cat litter, limited financial assistance towards veterinary care and adoption assistance.

We are offering many classes in one of three different formats: virtually over Zoom, in-person, or a hybrid model. We hope to have options for everyone and welcome your feedback.

See below for our current class listings, the December menu, and our NEW monthly activities calendar. For a full list of class descriptions and instructors, click HERE. Please check our website for most current information on classes.

Reasons why we may not be feeling jolly this holiday season could include stresses due to family commitments, financial worries, the loss of a loved one, loneliness or social isolation, and poor health, to name a few. If you feel sad you are not alone! Doctors and mental health professionals have been documenting patterns of increased rates of depression during the holidays for years. Some tips to prevent holiday stress and depression from the Mayo Clinic[1] include:

Acknowledge your feelings - if you can't be with loved ones, realize that it's normal to feel sadness and grief.

Reach out - if you feel lonely or isolated, try seeking out community for support and companionship. This edition of The Beacon has a variety of in person and on-line opportunities that can help boost your physical, mental, and social well-being.

Volunteer - doing something that helps others is a good way to lift your spirits and broaden your friendships. At Senior Coastsiders we depend on over 200 volunteers who participate in a variety of activities – contact the office for more information.

Be realistic - the holidays don't have to be perfect or just like last year. To celebrate, hold on to a few traditions and rituals from the past and be open to creating new ones.

Set aside differences ­- try to accept family members and friends as they are and be understanding if they get upset or distressed when something goes awry – they too may be feeling the effects of holiday stress and depression.

Stick to a budget- before you do your gift and food shopping, decide how much you can afford to spend and stick to your budget.

Plan ahead – during the weeks ahead you could have too many obligations and social engagements that leave you feeling exhausted or have nothing on your calendar which could leave you feeling isolated and lonely. Planning ahead can help you respond appropriately.

Maintain healthy habits – make one healthy choice each meal; get plenty of sleep; be active; practice contemplative behaviors, and avoid excessive tobacco, alcohol, and drug use.

Take a breather – make some time for yourself. Find an activity you enjoy. Take a break by yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do.

Seek professional help if you need it – if you find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, and unable to face routine chores then talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.

[1] https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20047544

Although she wasn’t technically a “senior” in 1953, what made Peace Pilgrim an Unstoppable Senior is that for the next 28 years, until her accidental death at age 72, she crisscrossed North America on foot, walking joyfully for more than 25,000 miles on her pilgrimage for peace. Wearing a blue tunic and carrying just a few possessions in her pockets, she shared her simple but profound message in thousands of communities. She belonged to no organization, and walked until given shelter and fasted until given food, “I can truthfully tell you that without ever asking I have been supplied with everything needed for my journey, which shows you just how good people are.”

Residents who participate in the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) and Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) programs qualify for an added $1,000 rebate. Learn more and get started by clicking: HERE

Please forward to anyone you think might benefit from this information!