December 2021
Upcoming Closures

  • Friday, December 24th (Christmas Day observed)
  • Friday, December 31st (New Years Day observed)
New and Upcoming!
Call Senior Coastsiders at 650-726-9056 for further information on classes or upcoming events. To see regularly scheduled weekly classes, be sure to scroll down.
Sugar and Spice - A history of Food as an Art Form. Join volunteer and food historian, Carrie Tillie, as she takes you through a quick history of classic holiday treats like gingerbread, marzipan, springele and candy canes. Come with an appetite, as samples will be served! Sugar & Spice, Tuesday, December 7th - 1:30-3:00pm at Senior Coastsiders. Please reserve your space for this presentation by stopping by the office, calling 650-726-9056, or registering HERE.
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Mystery Book Club This group meets the first Wednesday of each month (December 1st this month) at 12:00pm. The group will be discussing The Lewis Man, by Peter May. 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.
Speaking of books, staff from the Half Moon Bay Library will be joining us once again during birthday lunches starting in December! They will bring a selection of books to choose from and can take your special requests! Bring your library card and feed your belly and mind!
Let's Dismantle Ageism A training event on ageism presented by Old School. Ageism is stereotyping and discrimination on the basis of a person’s age. This presentation is geared toward older adults, providers, board members, elected officials, and their staff. Before the training watch Ashton's ted talk and download and print this worksheet for use during the workshop. For more information:
info@ageforwardsmc.org. Thursday, December 9th, 2:00-3:30pm on Zoom. Register HERE. You will receive Zoom link with registration.
Holiday Bouquet Arrangement Gather with mothers and daughters of the National Charity League Coastside Chapter to make flower arrangements for our birthday luncheon and Meals on Wheels recipients. This will be a lovely opportunity to chat with amazing young women from the Coastside. Tuesday, December 14th from 4:00-5:00pm. Reserve your spot by stopping by or calling the office. 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. All flowers and supplies will be on site but bring your favorite floral scissors if you have some!
Coastal Arts League Friday Art Classes The amazing volunteer instructors from the Coastal Arts League have resumed classes at Senior Coastsiders! Classes are free and each Friday covers a different topic or medium. Class starts at 12:30pm.
  • December 3 – Nancee McDonnell, Collage
  • December 10 – Patti Appel, Acrylic painting
  • December 17 – Greta Waterman, Oil pastels
  • December 24 – No class
  • December 31 - No class
New - Upcycling Craft Group
Join a weekly workshop we're calling Upcycling on Tuesday afternoons at 1:00pm. The group will make art pieces out of leftover and donated materials. Come get crafty in this informal crafting workshop!

You can make and take home...

  • a painted canvas bag
  • a silk scarf
  • a decorated birdhouse
  • felt ornaments
  • a painted sun hat
  • something decorated with shells and jewelry
  • Christmas ornaments
  • anything else you can think of
Senior Coastsiders Cookbook - Cookin' on the Coast We've taken some of the work out of your holiday shopping! This collection of recipes comes from volunteers, participants, and even our own chef! Cookbooks will be available the second week of December (just in time for Christmas) for $20.00 each. Order online HERE or come to the Senior Coastsiders office.
Turning Towards the Light: A Holiday Fundraiser for Senior Coastsiders. On Sunday, December 19, the Unitarian Universalist Coastside Community presents this all-music interfaith service. Combining original songs and familiar classics, the program interweaves Christian, Jewish, and solstice yuletide traditions around the themes of light, love, joy, and celebration. The musical gathering begins at 10:45am Pacific time, the formal service starts at 11:00am. Visit uucoastside.org for a live Zoom link on December 19th, or you can come to Senior Coastsiders to view the Zoom presentation with other community members starting at 11:00am.
My Senior Center In early 2022 we are excited to be launching an automated check-in system. This new, efficient technology will help us better organize things at the Center. Regular visitors and volunteers will be provided with a small key tag to swipe across a scanner that will be located in the lobby. You will then be able to press the touchscreen to select the activities you’ll be participating in that day. If you participate in Senior Coastsiders activities, please swing by the office to make sure we have your most updated information to enter into the system.
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!
Puzzle Time with Professor Symmons! Challenge your brain cells and master doing a few puzzles every day! Join either in person or through Zoom as we tackle a recent Sudoku, Ken-Ken, and the Crossword puzzle presented in the Daily Journal. Group will be led by Professor Richard Symmons as he guides participants through puzzle strategy - but with the focus on class contributions and participation! Hard copies of the selected puzzles will be available at the Senior Coastsiders office and dining room and will be included in the home delivered meals on Mondays. Group meets every Tuesday at 1:00pm. Participants can join on Zoom by clicking HERE (password PUZZLE) or in person at the center (masks and physical distancing required).
Other upcoming Community Events
Coastal Rep Theater - Senior Preview Night. The Santaland Diaries, a one man show based on the humorous writings of David Sedaris. This short show of one hour fifteen minutes is about an out of work actor who finds a job as an elf at Macy’s Santaland. The show is bittersweet, with things being looked at on the naughty side of harried folks at Christmas.The preview starts at 7:30pm on Thursday, Dec. 2nd. COVID Protocols require a mask at all times and you must show proof of vaccination before entering the theatre. No reservations required, first come first served.
Understanding Credit and Credit Repair South San Francisco Public Library is teaming up with San Mateo County Libraries and Housing Economic Rights Advocates (HERA) to help improve financial wellness for veterans. The presentation will include information on what credit is and how to build it, how to view and repair your credit report and what steps to take to improve your credit score. This presentation is for veterans and the general public as part of the Veteran Stabilization Project. Friday, December 3rd from 2:00-3:00pm. Register HERE.
Speaking of New Years - Here is a great New Years resolution idea!
And more changes in the new year...
The time has come,' the Walrus said,
      To talk of many things:
Of shoes — and ships — and sealing-wax — Of cabbages — and kings —

And why is Kim retiring? 
 
Because she has found that there are
other things she should do — visit her granddaughter —  and her garden
 
Have lunch with friends and family not seen for way too long ­— and to climb mountains and swim the sea
 
Complete those long put-off home repair projects — and spend her child’s inheritance with impunity!
Also retiring from Senior Coastsiders at the end of December is our behind the scenes graphic designer and media guru, Gail Evenari. After five great years of serving Senior Coastsiders, she will focus on her book, documentary film projects, and virtual reality films that teach children global awareness. Hopefully, she will also have some time to spend with her dog Lola!
Do you know someone who would be the right fit to work at Senior Coastsiders? We happen to have a couple positions opening! Please inquire at the office for more information or email swinter@seniorcoastsiders.org.
Be sure to give Kim and Gail your well wishes during the month of December. After that you might see them in class or at lunch!
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.

CLASSES:
  • Zoom links and online waivers for all virtual classes are available on our website.
  • If you are coming for in-person classes, please plan to arrive a bit early to complete new waivers.
  • 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 11:45am and lunch is served at noon.
  • Birthday lunch is the third Wednesday of each month.

See below for our current class listings and the December menu. For a full list of class descriptions and instructors, click HERE.
Supporting Senior Coastsiders
Thank you to everyone who donated to our Giving Tuesday campaign, particularly the TouchPoint Foundation and the Robert G. Kirby Foundation that each contributed $50,000 in matching funds. We are so grateful for the extremely generous and longtime support we’ve received from these two Foundations. All the Giving Tuesday donations we received ensure our ability to meet the increasing demand for our services and provide a bright future for our senior community. To find out more about volunteering or donating, please visit SeniorCoastsiders.org or call (650) 726-9056.
Just for Fun!

A Note from the Executive Director
Last week the Senior Coastsiders board and staff concluded important work we’ve been doing over the past few months – creating a set of value statements and updating our mission statement. Here’s where we landed:


OUR VALUES
 
COMMUNITY– We engage the community in promoting and protecting the physical, mental, social, and economic well-being of Coastside older adults.
 
COMPASSION – We support older adults, their families and caregivers with respect, patience, kindness, and empathy.

INCLUSION – We embrace diversity and treat people of all generations, ethnicities, backgrounds, ability levels, and beliefs with dignity and respect.
 
GRATITUDE – We appreciate the contributions that older adults make to the vitality and richness of the Coastside.
 
VOLUNTEERING – We value the contribution of our volunteers and provide meaningful opportunities that enrich their lives and the lives of those they serve.

STEWARDSHIP – We are committed to responsible management of the funds, resources and time entrusted to us by our donors, partners, local government, and volunteers.

INNOVATION – We innovate and adapt to meet the diverse and changing needs of an increasing older adult population.

OUR MISSION

To support successful aging for Coastside seniors by providing opportunities, services, and resources that meet their needs, enrich their lives, foster their independence, and respect their creativity, dignity, and value.

If you would like to share your comments on the above, I’d love to hear it – email or call me or drop in to see me in my office. As I think about what I value personally, the work I do at Senior Coastsiders is among the top of the list. It is tremendously fulfilling on a professional level and provides me with a sense of meaning and purpose that contributes positively to my overall well-being. Every day I get to work with staff and volunteers who are passionate and committed to improving the quality of life of our older adult community. 

Recently the work we do here at the Center has become even more personal because my recently retired husband has started coming for lunch every Tuesday then participating in Professor Symmons’ puzzle activity. The group solves Sudoku, Ken-Ken, and crossword puzzles and my husband loves it! I encourage you to join in if you want to challenge your brain cells. 

Best wishes to all of you for the holidays and stay safe.

Sandi
In a society where aging is oftentimes equated with ill health and vulnerability, it is important to remember that societal preconceptions cannot define us, and each one of us can write our own story of aging. The world is full of people who had some of their finest moments only after they became seniors. We’ll be highlighting some of these Unstoppable Seniors in the months to come because their story is also a part of our story. Here is a story of US:

At what point do you slow down and stop running? If your name is Julia “Hurricane” Hawkins, the answer might just be “never.” Julia Hawkins, also known as “The Flower Lady” for her formidable gardening skills, set a new world record in the 100-meter dash at the November 2021 Louisiana Senior Games. A lifelong cyclist, she switched to track and field due to a lack of competition in cycling, and she’s been a force to be reckoned with ever since!

Being a competitive athlete is inspiring at any age, but what makes Julia an Unstoppable Senior is that she took up running at 100 years old! In 2017, she set the 100-meter dash record in the 100-104 age category, but that record was broken in September 2021. But in this regard, time was on Julia’s side because she was in a new age bracket all on her own when she turned 105 years old and she set the record by running the 100-meter dash in 1:02:95! For literally everyone else in the world, that would feel like a significant accomplishment, but Julia was actually a little disappointed- she had hoped for a faster time!

Julia is an inspiring example and she doesn’t plan to stop any time soon. "I want to keep running as long as I can," Hawkins said. "My message to others is that you have to stay active if you want to be healthy and happy as you age."
Community News You Can Use!
We take great pride in our community partnerships and view them as one more way to help provide resources our community.
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!