September 2023

Important Reminders Senior Coastsiders will be closed on Monday, September 4 in observance of Labor Day Trivia Hour: Monday, September 4 is rescheduled to Tuesday, September 5 Zumba Gold is canceled on Tuesday, September 19 Watercolors with Mary Kay is canceled on Wednesday, September 20 Vaccination Clinic has been postponed to Monday, October 23

Senior Coastsiders provides accommodations for people with disabilities. Please check with the office at least 24 hours in advance if you will need extra support. For further information on classes or upcoming events, call 650-726-9056. To see regularly scheduled weekly classes, be sure to scroll down. All listed classes and programs take place at Senior Coastsiders and are FREE unless otherwise indicated.

Volunteers Needed Spread the Word: We Need Your Help! Our dedicated corps of volunteers provides services needed to help older adults maintain their independence. You can help by preparing and serving lunches, delivering home delivered meals, volunteering in the office, or helping with fundraising events. Volunteer opportunities are available in all areas of Senior Coastsiders' services and programs. Visit www.seniorcoastsiders.org to apply and for more information on volunteer opportunities.

New and Upcoming!

Zumba Gold is here! Classes will be held every Tuesday from 4:30pm-5:30pm. Zumba Gold is a low-impact dance fitness program designed for active, older adults. It is safe, effective, and intended to help individuals of all ages and physical abilities increase their range of motion, balance, cardiovascular activity, and memory. All levels of dance are welcome. Cost: $8.00 for weekly participants, $10.00 for drop-ins. Pay the instructor directly via cash, Venmo or Zelle. The maximum capacity is 20 attendees per class. Comfy tennis shoes or dance shoes, bottled water, and a sweat towel are recommended. Classes will be taught by licensed Zumba Instructor and HMB resident, MJ Mangiarelli. Monday Matinee Movie Walk the Line (2005) A chronicle of country music legend Johnny Cash's life, from his early days on an Arkansas cotton farm to his rise to fame with Sun Records in Memphis, where he recorded alongside Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins. Starring Joaquin Phoenix & Reese Witherspoon Monday, September 11, starting at 3:15pm Running time 2h 16m. Rated PG-13. Popcorn and refreshments will be available. Drumming Circle with Jane Gerughty Drum circles, or rhythm drum circles, or rhythm gatherings, occur in various cultures. They are an informal and active way to connect with others, express yourself, and relieve stress. Everyone is rhythmic - there is no wrong way to drum at a drum circle. No experience required and beginners highly encouraged. Facilitator, Jane Gerughty and the group will meet on the second Monday of each month in the Sunroom from 2:00-3:00PM (September 11 this month) We invite you to bring your own drum (any type), bell, shaker, rattle or any percussion instrument. If you don’t have one, no worries, we'll have some to share. The group is FREE. Mystery Book Club This group meets the first Wednesday of each month at 12:00PM (September 6 this month). The group meets in person with Zoom option. To connect via Zoom, click HERE for the link (passcode BOOKS) or contact Vaughn Harrison at vaughnharrison@yahoo.com. Future books are listed below and can be picked up at the Senior Coastsiders office at 925 Main Street one month in advance of each meeting. September - An Officer and a Spy by Robert Harris  October - To the Land of Long Lost Friends by Alexander McCall Smith November - The Lions of Fifth Avenue, by Fiona Davis December - Midwinter Murder, by Agatha Christine January - The Dry, by Jane Harper February - The Feather Thief, by Kirk W. Johnson 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! Peter Master on piano the first Tuesday of each month - September 5 Coastside Celtic Collaboration the second Wednesday of each month - September 13 Vocalist Tina and guitarist Harry the third Wednesday of each month - September 20 Carol Siegal on the third Thursday of each month - September 21 Mike McCall on Spanish guitar the fourth Tuesday of each month - September 26 Blue City Jazz on the fourth Thursday of each month - September 28 Senior's Dinner Club at It's Italia Enjoy the fun and community of a family style dinner served at It's Italia's "Grandfather Table" that seats 10 guests. The Seniors' Dinner Club meets the second Thursday of each month (September 14 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! 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. This class is capped at 12 so be sure to arrive early to ensure your spot. September 1 - TBD September 8 - TBD September 15 - Patricia Madsen September 22 - Kathy Sheilds September 29 - Rebecca Ellis To learn more about the Coastal Arts League and their volunteer instructors, visit coastside-artists.com/art-classes.html#/ We Won! In 1993, New Leaf Community Markets started the Envirotoken program to support local, non-profit organizations working for the environment and to encourage shoppers to bring in and reuse grocery bags. The community voted for Senior Coastsiders as one of the organizations to benefit from this great program. Customers will receive tokens worth 10¢ to give to local, non-profit organizations for each large grocery bag they reuse. Make sure to drop your tokens in the bin for Senior Coastsiders! Free KN95 Masks Available Senior Coastsiders has KN95 masks available for older adults. Please stop by our office. Limit 2 per person.

Trivia Hour Test your brain and meet up with friends for Trivia Day at Senior Coastsiders. Our trivia master is Larry De Young, a long-time Coastside resident, who wants you to get those “Little Grey Cells” working. Larry formulates excellent questions with the support of fantastic slides, a timer, and score sheet. His questions will have your synapses snapping! Grab a smart friend or two to form a team - or join a team when you arrive. If you win, you'll enjoy...bragging rights! First Monday (rescheduled for Tuesday, September 5) and third Wednesday (September 20) of each month at 1:00PM. Community Garden Update Our community garden is growing and thriving! The garden is available for everyone to enjoy including members of the Senior Center and our local community. Please feel free to harvest whatever you like and remember...only take what you are able to eat. When harvesting, please be thoughtful and gentle and remove leaves from plants carefully so as not to "shock" or damage the plant. There is plenty to share. If you are interested in being part of the Garden group or would simply like to plant something of your own, please contact Rose, at rhernandez@seniorcoastsiders.org Parkinson's Support Group Wednesday, September 6, from 2:00-3:00PM. 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. Men's Discussion Group This is a participant led discussion group for older men looking to connect with peers, chat about the challenges and opportunities of aging, or just find a new avenue for socializing. Group will meet on the first Tuesday of each month at 10:30AM in the dining room over coffee. (September 5 this month) "Basics" Tech Classes Join computer tutors, Wanda, James and Gary, for a basics course on your Android, Windows, or iOS device. Course content will include: basic computer vocabulary, touch screen gestures, notifications and settings, wifi connection, dictation, basic internet, email, and more! Classes will be: Android Basics - Mon, 9/25 1:00PM - 2:00PM Android Basics - Thurs, 9/28 4:00PM - 5:00PM Computer Tutoring We have volunteer tech tutors three days a week. Come in and troubleshoot or learn how to better use your computer or smart phone! Mondays with Wanda from 12-2 Tuesdays with Carolyn from 11-1 Thursdays with James from 2-4 Appointments required. Please schedule with the Senior Coastsiders office. Half Moon Bay Library at Senior Coastsiders Library staff will be in the Senior Coastsiders Dining Room the third Wednesday of each month (September 20) during our birthday celebration. Swing by the table to check out and return books and see what's new at the library! International Day in the Dining Room - New Zealand One day each month will feature an international dish. Join us Wednesday, September 13 for delicious Fish & Chips lunch as we celebrate New Zealand! Passports not required! Welcome to Yoga and Welcome Back to Yoga Have you been curious about yoga, but have never taken a class? Have you enjoyed practicing yoga in the past, but have not taken a class in awhile because you are recovering from surgery, injury, illness or other life circumstance? If so, this opportunity is for you. LindaGrace offers a three or four class series to new or returning students to evaluate current strength, flexibility, balance, and familiarize you with the warm ups and basic poses before you enter the Gentle Yoga Class or the Wise Woman Yoga Class. These intro classes can be arranged directly with LindaGrace at lindagrace@wisewoman-yoga.com 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, September 1! Calling all crafters! We are pleased to announce the return of our Holiday Bazaar on Friday, December 1. Our Holiday Bazaar Craft Fair will be open to the public to purchase items from our various craft croups here at Coastsiders. Between 10-100% of proceeds will go directly to Senior Coastsiders. More information to come. Grocery Bus Service  Now Offered on Tuesdays & Fridays! 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, you must sign-up at the office or call Emma at 650-726-9056. Suggested donation of $2 round-trip. Free Home Covid Tests 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.

Coming Soon - Save the date

Vaccination Clinic - October 23 Senior Coastsiders received a grant from the National Council on Aging to provide 500 Flu and/or Covid shots by February 2024 and we're partnering with BayPLS to hold vaccination events throughout the year. New COVID vaccinations are expected to be available in October, so we have re-scheduled our next clinic to Monday, October 23 from 2-6pm. The vaccination event is open to anyone aged 60 years or older. Flu shots and blood pressure screening are FREE! All other services may require insurance. Appointments are STRONGLY encouraged as walk-ins may need to wait for up to an hour for service. Our last event sold out quickly, so register today! Register at: https://my.primary.health/r/senior-coastsiders-wellness-fair

Other upcoming Community Events & Info

Coastside Pride Agin’ Well serves up social and fun monthly activities for our (mostly) 50+ community members. These activities are selected by the participants and are available in Pacifica and Half Moon Bay. This program is a partnership of CoastPride and Peninsula Family Services. For August, they'll have a meet-up on Saturday, September 16 from 1:30-3pm at the CoastPride Center. If you’d like to be added to the Agin’ Well newsletter distribution list, please email Elana at aginwellfacilitators@coastpride.org Coastal Repertory Theater Annual Gala Celebration We are thrilled to invite you to our 2024 Gala, which promises to be an unforgettable evening of entertainment and fun. Our 8th Annual Gala will be held in-person, and will feature a wide range of activities for you to enjoy. From silent and live auctions to passed hors d'oeuvres and lovely wines, and of course, our LOL's Drink of the Day, there will be something for everyone. Your attendance will not only help us raise funds, but also provide an opportunity for us to connect with our community and celebrate our shared passion for community theatre. We look forward to seeing you there! More information can be found at www.coastalrep.com Coastal Repertory Theater 1167 Main Street. VOTC Movie Night at the HMB Library featuring ET 5:30-7:00PM on September 21. Join other Village members at the movies! E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (or simply E.T.) is a 1982 American science fiction film produced and directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Melissa Mathison. It tells the story of Elliott, a boy who befriends an extraterrestrial, dubbed E.T., who is left behind on Earth. Along with his friends and family, Elliott must find a way to help E.T. find his way home. The film stars Dee Wallace, Henry Thomas, Peter Coyote, Robert MacNaughton and Drew Barrymore.

Volunteering Opportunity - Moonridge Reading Stars San Mateo County Sheriff's Activities League is looking for volunteers to assist with the Moonridge Reading Stars program. This program meets on Tuesdays at 2pm at 2001 Miramontes Point Road. Transportation is available to and from Senior Coastsiders for Volunteers. For more information, please call 650-474-1394 or email sheriffs_sal@smcgov.org Granada Community Services District - History Walk Daniel Burnham and the Ocean Shore Railroad. Meet at 10:00AM at Granada Community Park, near the skate ramp in El Granada (where Portola and Obispo cross). You will learn about the early history of the area, the exciting arrival of the Ocean Shore Railroad and its development plans, and the changes after the railroad disappeared. The walk covers about a mile and a half, with views of the harbor, two early train stations, the remnants of the original curbs, and a number of early houses. Sunday, September 17, 10:00AM. For information on other upcoming events sponsored by the Granada Community Services District, please contact hatmore@granada.ca.gov California Coastal Cleanup Day - Poplar Beach Saturday, September 23, 9am - 12pm Join Coastside Land Trust for this volunteer event taking place in Half Moon Bay, and throughout the entire state, as we come together to clean up our state’s beaches and waterways. Meeting location: Poplar Beach at the west end of Poplar Street, Half Moon Bay. What to bring: Gloves, buckets, sturdy shoes, long sleeves, sun protection. Parking: Parking available at the Poplar Beach parking lot. Parking permits provided. Register at: www.coastsidelandtrust.org/events Sequoia Audubon Society - Wavecrest Raptor Walk Saturday, September 30, 10am - 12pm. Join the Coastside Land Trust as we explore our overwintering raptor population. Wavecrest is the single most important site on the San Mateo Coast for wintering raptors- including White-tailed Kites, Northern Harriers, Turkey Vultures, Sharp-shinned/ Cooper's/ Red- tailed/ Rough-legged Hawks, American Kestrels and Falcons. Cost is $15. Register for tickets and learn more at: www.coastsidelandtrust.org/webinars

More Useful Info

Senior Gateway is a one-stop website intended to provide seniors, their families, and caregivers with the information they need to connect to helpful services and resources, to find answers, and solve problems. Find information on such topics as: Avoiding and Reporting Abuse & Neglect Preventing Fraud, Financial Abuse & Common Scams Health Care Information Your Rights Resources available for Seniors Check it out at https://seniors.insurance.ca.gov/

HIP Housing - Home Sharing Program HIP Housing’s Mission is to invest in human potential by improving the housing and lives of people in our community. HIP Housing enables people with special needs, either from income or circumstance, to live independent, self-sufficient lives in decent, safe, low-cost homes. For more information on housing opportunities, please visit hiphousing.org or call (650) 348-6660.

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.

If you would like to support the classes, activities, and special programming happening at Senior Coastsiders, click below to make a donation and designate 'classes and activities.'

Donate Now

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, and limited financial assistance towards veterinary care.

Are you living on a fixed income and struggling with the high cost of quality pet food? Senior Coastsiders' Pet Buddy program can help by providing low-income seniors free pet food (regular and prescription). Please call Tracey at 650-726-9056 for more information or to sign up.

Lunches, classes, and programs are in full swing! 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. If it will be your first time coming to our center, please complete the My Senior Center registration HERE. CLASSES: Zoom links and online waivers for all virtual classes are available on our website, with the exception of Pilates Fusion, Functional Movement, Watercolor Wednesday, Gentle Yoga, and Wise Woman Yoga. Those classes must be accessed through My Active Center (instructions are HERE). If you are coming for in-person classes, please plan to arrive a bit early to complete necessary waivers and learn how to use My Senior Center In case of canceled classes, we will do our best to provide links for previously recorded classes below each class description. LUNCH: Our dining room is open Mondays-Fridays starting at 10:00AM for coffee and lunch registration begins at 11:45AM. Lunch is served at noon. Birthday lunch is the third Wednesday of each month. Live music during lunch is indicated by a musical note on menu. Once a month, we celebrate a different country with a special meal, & trivia. Vegetarian options are available for all meals, please ask your server for details. See below for the September menu, and our monthly activities calendar and class list. For a full list of class descriptions and instructors, click HERE. Please check our website for most current information on classes.

Reminder to ALL class participants - Our classroom schedule is very tight so please do not linger after class and DO NOT enter a closed classroom or a classroom that is being rearranged by staff. In order to quickly change classroom set-ups, staff needs a room clear of participants. Thank you for your cooperation!

Thank you for supporting Senior Coastsiders

Given that older adults are the fastest growing demographic in the world, it’s concerning to know that less than 3% of charitable giving nationwide is directed toward programs for seniors. Fortunately, at Senior Coastsiders we are supported by a loyal and generous donor base. Over the course of the past year, we have received gifts from almost 700 active donors who between them have donated just over $400,000! The average gift is $337.97. To all our donors - thank you so much! Your gifts make a difference in the lives of so many people and we are very grateful.

A note from Executive Director, Sandi Winter

Did you catch the article in the August 23rd edition of the HMB Review that took a closer look at the 2020 Census data for the Coast? The writer, Peter Tokofsky, reported that in 2020 there were proportionately more Coastside adults aged 62+ years compared to the state or the nation. Along the Coast, people aged 62+ years comprised 28% of the population in Half Moon Bay, 27% in El Granada, Princeton and Moss Beach, and 25% in Montara and Pacifica. This compares to 18.7% in the state and 20.6% in the nation. As I’ve said before, Senior Coastsiders is in a growth industry! As I think about how best to maximize the opportunities and minimize the challenges of an increasingly older adult population, I have found various frameworks helpful – Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, the Stanford Center on Longevity New Map of Life , the AARP Eight Domains of Livability and the California Master Plan on Aging. I recently came across another potentially useful framework for thinking about successful aging in a blog post by Chip Conley. Over the last seven years a team with Aging2.0 has used an extensive and inclusive process to develop the following eight topic issues as we think about how to promote successful aging: Engagement and Purpose - Outdated social norms have resulted in isolated and marginalized older adults. Helping older adults get and stay meaningfully engaged is critical for their health and the health of our communities. New and creative ways are needed to provide opportunities for lifelong learning and meaningful engagement. Financial Wellness - People are living longer and traditional models of work and retirement have not kept pace. New opportunities for later life employment, new models for planning and financing care and better ways to prevent scams and fraud are needed. Mobility and Movement - Remaining safe and mobile are top priorities for older adults. There is a need for products, programs and services that enable people to maximize their safety, fitness, independence, and mobility as they age. Daily Living and Lifestyle – Most older adults state a preference to “age in place,” yet 1/3 of people aged 65+ need assistance with at least one activity of daily living. Products and services are needed to help support older adults with basic daily activities and support their ability to thrive. Caregiving - Family caregivers—who are often juggling other family and work responsibilities and living remote from the care recipient—need better support, training, resources, and tools to help them take care of their loved ones and themselves. On the professional side, staff shortages and quality concerns loom large, so new solutions are needed to help attract, train, develop and leverage scarce human capital.  Care Coordination - The healthcare journey can be particularly complex and fragmented for older adults. Families and providers need new tools and care models to support care transitions, clinical collaboration, medication management, etc. Brain Health - Alzheimer’s Disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States and is projected to cost $1.1 trillion by 2050. While there remains no cure for Alzheimer’s Disease, better tools and services are needed to increase awareness, develop tools for early prediction and diagnosis, optimize cognitive fitness, slow cognitive decline, and support caregivers.  End of Life - Death is inevitable, but that doesn’t seem to make it any easier to talk about or prepare for. As a result, 25% of the Medicare budget is spent on the last year of life and many people still do not die where or how they want. Families and providers need help navigating end of life options, having the difficult conversations and ensuring that end of life wishes are met.  Sending you best wishes. Sandi

Community News You Can Use!

We take great pride in our community partnerships and view them as one more way to help provide resources for our community.

Senior Coastsiders is partnering with Peninsula Clean Energy to share information about important services and programs.   Who is Peninsula Clean Energy and what do they do? Peninsula Clean Energy has been the community electricity provider for San Mateo County since 2016, providing clean electricity at lower rates. There’s nothing you have to do to reap the benefits, either- it’s an automatic benefit of living in San Mateo County. Peninsula Clean Energy works in collaboration with PG&E, buying electricity from clean sources but using PG&E's lines to deliver that clean electricity to your home. They provide clean energy from sources like the wind and sun, which helps protect the planet for our kids and future generations. New and expanded rebates on heat pump HVAC and water heaters! Peninsula Clean Energy is offering residents of San Mateo County and the City of Los Banos a $3,500 rebate for installing an electric heat pump HVAC system, and $3,000 for installing a heat pump water heater. Additional rebates are available if electrical panel upgrades are required, and for residents who participate in the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) and Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) programs. If a BayREN contractor is used, even more rebates may apply! Make it even more affordable with Peninsula Clean Energy’s Zero Percent Loan program! Make it even more affordable with Peninsula Clean Energy’s Zero Percent Loan program! Zero percent loans help customers install electric water heaters, heating and A/C, and energy efficiency upgrades that reduce carbon emissions and energy use in the home. The loans are zero percent (0%) interest with no money-down for a term of up to 10 years. The payments are conveniently included on your monthly electric bill. To learn more, visit: https://www.peninsulacleanenergy.com/residential-programs/

If you need assistance with shopping, would like to sign up for meals on wheels, need a mask, or need other assistance, we are just a phone call away! Please call our office at 650-726-9056.

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