December 2023
如需中文支持服务，请联系 Kiki：kwolfeld@seniorcoastsiders.org
Para servicios en español por favor de contactar a Emma enavarrete@seniorcoastsiders.org
Important Reminders
  • Zumba Gold is canceled until further notice
  • Watercolor with Mary Kay is canceled on December 13, December 20, & December 27
  • Duplicate Bridge is canceled on December 22
  • Senior Coastsiders is closed on December 25 & December 26
  • Gentle Yoga is canceled on December 27
  • Pilates Fusion is canceled on December 28
  • ESL is canceled on December 28
  • Functional Movement is canceled on December 29
  • Senior Coastsiders is closed on January 1, 2024
*Poplar Street will be under construction until Spring 2024. For more details, contact the HMB Public Works Department *
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.
Happy Holidays
from the staff at Senior Coastsiders!
Join us for a Holiday Lunch on Friday, December 22!
New and Upcoming!
Widow and Widowers Support Group Social -Thursday, December 14 at 10:45am
Come join a special gathering this Holiday Season for Widows and Widowers. This is an opportunity to come together and talk about and share memories of your loved one, to share where you are in your grief process, or just come to give and receive support around the loss of your spouse / partner. This gathering is being led by Senior Coastsiders’ Social Worker/Care Manager Jeannine Clark.
Monday Matinee Movie
The Bishop's Wife (1947) Dejected by his efforts to raise money to build a cathedral, Bishop Henry Brougham beseeches heaven for guidance, and is visited immediately by Dudley, who claims to be an angel. Henry is skeptical, then annoyed when Dudley ingratiates himself into the household as his assistant -- and worse, wins the attentions of Henry's long-suffering and kindly wife. When Dudley continues to intervene in Henry's struggles, the bishop decides to challenge heaven.
Monday, December 8, starting at 3:00pm.
Running time 1h 49m.
Popcorn and refreshments will be available.
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 (December 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!
Rhythms with Richard
Come find a comfortable rhythm with a drum or other percussion. Instruments provided, but bring what you have! Basic instructions & gentle guidance offered as well. Since everyone alive has a heartbeat, rhythm is built in! All are welcome! Beginners encouraged to join. The group will meet on the second Monday of each month in the Sunroom from 2:00-3:00PM (December 11 this month)
Upcoming free concert on January 7, 2024
The concert will be held in the dining hall on Sunday, January 7 at 2pm. The performance will include solo sopranos, tenors, and solo pianos, flutes, and choirs with Chinese and western music, and more.
Mystery Book Club This group meets the first Wednesday of each month at 12:00PM (December 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.
  • December - Midwinter Murder, by Agatha Christie
  • 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 - rescheduled for December 18
  • Coastside Celtic Collaboration the second Wednesday of each month - December 13
  • Vocalist Tina and guitarist Harry the third Wednesday of each month - December 20
  • Blue City Jazz on the fourth Thursday of each month - Wednesday, December 28
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
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.
  • December 1 - Patti Appel
  • December 8 - Laura McHugh
  • December 15 - Patti Appel
  • December 29 - TBD
To learn more about the Coastal Arts League and their volunteer instructors, visit coastside-artists.com/art-classes.html#/
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 (December 4) and third Wednesday (December 20) of each month at 1:00PM.
Senior Coastsiders Cookbook - Cooking on the Coast

Just in time for the holidays!
This collection of recipes comes from volunteers, participants, and even our own chef! Cookbooks available for purchase now for $20.00 each. Call or come to the Senior Coastsiders office to purchase.
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
"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:
  • iPhone Basics - Mon, 12/4 2:00PM - 3:00PM
  • iPhone Basics - Thurs, 12/18 2:00PM - 3:00PM
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
  • Tuesdays with Carolyn from
  • Wednesdays / Fridays with Becci
  • Thursdays with James from
Appointments required. Please schedule with the Senior Coastsiders office.
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Half Moon Bay Library at Senior Coastsiders Library staff will be in the Senior Coastsiders Dining Room the third Wednesday of each month (December 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 - Egypt
One day each month will feature an international dish. Join us Wednesday, December 13 for a delicious Koshari lunch as we celebrate Egypt! Koshari is Egypt’s national dish and a popular street food. It features a mixture of pasta, lentils, and rice and is topped with a zesty tomato sauce. Come by to enjoy Chef Manny’s take on the Egyptian classic. Passports not required!
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. (December 5 this month)
Parkinson's Support Group
Wednesday, December 6, from 2:00-4:00PM. Extended class time as we will be featuring the movie Still. 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.
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? Come join Senior Coastsiders Instructors for lunch and a chance to chat on Friday, December 1!
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 contribution of $2 round-trip.
Free KN95 Masks Available
Senior Coastsiders has KN95 masks available for older adults. Please stop by our office. Limit 2 per person.
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
Other upcoming Community Events & Info
Coast 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 October, they'll have a meet-up on December 13 from 6-7pm at the Pacifica Community Center and on December 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
VOTC Movie Night at the HMB Library featuring Mary Poppins Returns, 5:30pm on December 21. Join other Village members at the movies! Mary Poppins Returns: A few decades after her original visit, Mary Poppins, the magical nanny, returns to help the Banks siblings and Michael's children through a difficult time in their lives.
Coastal Repertory Theater
White Christmas, December 1-17. Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil's former army commander. With a dazzling score featuring well-known standards including “Blue Skies,” “I Love A Piano,” “How Deep Is the Ocean” and the perennial title song, White Christmas is an uplifting musical and the last show of the season. More information can be found at www.coastalrep.com Coastal Repertory Theater 1167 Main Street.
Zoom Dance Party
If you are looking for more ways to get your groove on, you can join other like minded dancers via Zoom. Classes are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5pm-6pm. For links and more information, email Joyce jshanahan@yahoo.com
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/
Sneakers for Good/Sneakers for Goods
Do you have some gently used sneakers or athletic shoes that still have some life left in them? Consider bringing them to Senior Coastsiders where we will have a collection box through collaboration with Sneakers for Good. Sneakers collected in the program are shipped to micro-enterprises in 27 different developing countries. There they are cleaned, fixed and used as inventory to support these small businesses. Micro-enterprises allow families to pave a path out of poverty through a hand up not a hand out model. Come by the center to learn more about acceptable shoes. This is for gently used, clean athletic shoes ONLY.
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.
Donate Your Car to Senior Coastsiders
Do you have an old car just taking up space? Wish you had a way of easily donating it? You’re in luck! Charitable Adult Rides and Services (CARS) makes donating your car easy. They take care of everything from the pick-up and sale to sending you the donation receipt and necessary tax documents. To make it even better, Senior Coastsiders receives a donation for every car you donate! To donate, click here: or call 855-500-7433. CARS is committed to treating every vehicle donor with gratitude and great service while delivering the highest possible returns to our partners. To date, CARS has returned more than $300 million to nonprofit partners like Senior Coastsiders because of vehicle donors like you. Thank you!
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.'
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 December 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
A note from Executive Director, Sandi Winter
As 2023 draws to a close I find myself reflecting on the past year. It’s been a great year for Senior Coastsiders as we’ve continued to expand our services and programs. This has required onboarding new staff – Darcy (Program Manager/Volunteer Coordinator), Nabor (Van Driver) and Rose (Activity Coordinator) who have added great value to our already strong team. The purchase of our 9-seater wheelchair equipped van has enabled us to more reliably transport participants to and from the Center, to the grocery stores, and on special outings such as the Cantor Art Museum, the San Francisco Zoo, Disney Family Museum and Farmer John’s Pumpkin Patch. Just highlighting one thing from each month of the past year gives a snapshot of the diverse range of activities at the Center:
  • January - we held a Celebration of Life to honor our previous Executive Director, Cara Schmaljohn, who passed away in November 2022.
  • February - we hosted a live virtual koala tour with an expert in Byron Bay, Australia.
  • March – various elected leaders - US Representative Anna Eshoo, State Senator Josh Becker, Supervisor Ray Mueller, San Mateo County Chief Executive Officer Mike Callagy, and City of Half Moon Bay Councilmembers Deborah Penrose and Debbie Ruddock – visited the Center to learn about our Meals on Wheels program.
  • April - we introduced our Access to Technology program that offers free tablets and tech tutoring for members of our community. We’ve enrolled almost 100 older adults in this program to date.
  • May – we participated very successfully in Coastside Gives raising over $100,000 in much needed funds to support our many programs and services. Thanks so much to all our donors!
  • June – we provided over 100 vaccines (including COVID and flu), and various health screenings during our Wellness Fair. Since then we’ve hosted additional clinics and have vaccinated almost 250 individuals in total.
  • July – we hosted such a fun community BBQ helped along with great food prepared by Manny and his team, beautiful weather, and a fabulous live band!
  • August – international day meal this month celebrated Jamaica with a jerked chicken dish. Other international days included Australia (roast lamb), Hong Kong (sweet-n-sour pork), Greece (moussaka), Portugal (caldo verde), Israel (falafel), Brazil (black bean and pork stew), Korea (Korean fried chicken), New Zealand (fish and chip), Switzerland (quiche) and El Salvador (sopa de res).
  • September – after a break of 5 years we hosted a very successful and fun Taste of the Coast event attended by over 200 community members who enjoyed great food and drinks, live music, and lots of mingling.
  • October – we had over 1,300 runners from all over the world participate in the 45th Annual Senior Coastsiders Pumpkin Run.
  • November – we hosted a Veterans Day Ceremony organized by one of our participants that featured songs in English and Chinese sung by our two Senior Coastsiders choirs.
For me personally the highlights include the birth of my grandson Jay in May and the visit by my brother and his partner in September that provided the perfect reason to visit Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. There has also been a sprinkling of sad things – including untimely death and disease. But this is to be expected.

I wonder what your year in review looks like. I hope that overall, it’s been a good one.

Sending you best wishes over the holiday season.

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.

Need a new water heater?
If you’re planning to transition to a clean energy home, your water heater is a great place to start. Nearly 60% of the methane gas used in homes is for heating water. Heat pump water heaters are clean, safe, and all-electric.

Save thousands on a new heat pump water heater!
Peninsula Clean Energy offers a rebate up to $2000 to help customers make the switch to a heat pump water heater. Go to pencleanenergy.co/hpwh-sc to learn more.
In addition to rebates from Peninsula Clean Energy, check out all the available rebates at The Switch is On (switchison.org). The Switch is On has an easy-to-use tool to help customers understand the rebates available for heat pump appliances, electrical panel upgrades, induction cooking, and more.
What's up with the latest COVID-19 vaccine?
  • Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines | Everyone aged five years and older should get one dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against serious illness from COVID-19.
  • Children aged six months–four years need multiple doses of COVID-19 vaccines to be up to date, including at least one dose of updated COVID-19 vaccine.
  • People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get additional doses of updated COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Studies conducted throughout the COVID-19 pandemic indicate that it is safe to get both a flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine at the same visit.
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!