October 2021

Join us today, Friday October 1st, at Noon via Zoom!

Senior Coastsiders invites you to celebrate the United Nations International Day of Older Persons 2021 with a focus on digital equity for all ages! We will have a 5-10 minute meet and greet just to say 'hello!' with people in our dining room, people at home, and participants at other Bay Area senior centers. Pop in and join us!

Click to join Zoom Meeting


Or use meeting ID: 885 4882 2063, Passcode: 450775
Pumpkin Run - Register Now!
Out of an abundance of caution and in consideration of the HMB City Council decision to cancel the one day Pumpkin Festival, we have made the difficult decision to transition the Pumpkin Run to 100% virtual once again. But, we live in an amazing place so there's an excuse to go for a run or walk! You'll still get the awesome long sleeve t-shirt AND you'll be supporting the many programs offered by Senior Coastsiders. Want to walk with others? Meet up with volunteers, staff, and other community members on Monday, October 11th at 10:30am at Senior Coastsiders and we will walk the 5K together!
Virtual event window is from October 1 - 15
Upcoming Closures:

  • Senior Coastsiders will be closed on Monday, October 11th for Columbus Day / Indigenous People's Day
  • Our office will close at 1:00pm on Tuesday, October 19th (please note that afternoon classes will be offered via Zoom only)

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.
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).
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Mystery Book Club This group meets the first Wednesday of each month (October 6th this month) at 12:00pm. The group will be discussing Heist, by Daniel Silva. 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.
Coastal Arts League Friday Art Classes The amazing volunteer instructors from the Coastal Arts League will resume classes at Senior Coastsiders starting Friday, September 10th! Classes are free and each Friday covers a different topic or medium. Class starts at 12:30pm.
  • October 1 – Laura McHugh
  • October 8 – Gary Frink, Perspective
  • October 15 – Greta Waterman, Oil Pastels
  • October 22 – TBD
  • October 29 – Patti Appel, Acrylic painting
Group Highlight - Let's Talk Coastside! As social gatherings begin to resume, Peninsula Family Service invites older adults age 55+ to come together at Senior Coastsiders for a free weekly in-person discussion group to rebuild our community, find humor in our daily lives and make some new friends. No more missing smiles - we are offering free reusable transparent facemasks to attendees. Facilitator Lea Nahumi will lead lively discussion topics that range from reminiscing about your first plane ride, favorite outdoor activities and your proudest achievements. LET’S TALK meets every Wednesday from 10:30 – 11:30am. (October dates are 10/6, 10/13, 10/20, 10/27. For questions, contact Michele @ 650-403-4300, ext. 4371 or mepstein@peninsulafamilyservice.org.
Oysters - A Global History with Carrie Tillie Varying in size from as small as a grape to as large as a dinner plate, the humble oyster has played an outsized role in the building of empires and the discovery of new lands. Consumed by both rich and poor, the oyster has inspired writers, poets, painters, and even lovers (Casanova was said to have started each day with a breakfast of fifty oysters.) Carrie Tillie shucks open the culinary, artistic, sexual, historical, and scientific history of the humble bivalve. Wednesday, October 20th at 2:00pm. Register HERE.
Age Friendly Cities Focus Groups An Age Friendly Community Task Force has been formed to help gather information from our Coastside community about the unmet needs of seniors. There will be two opportunities for you to participate - in person on October 13th from 10:00-11:30am or via Zoom on October 21st from 6:00-7:30pm. Scroll down for more information on the focus groups and how to register.
October is CARTOBER!
Did you know you can donate your old car (running or not) to Senior Coastsiders? The process is easy and fast through a partnership with Careasy. Simply go to the drop down menu on the DONATE tab on our website and scroll down to 'Car Donation.' One recent donor said, "I wish I had done this sooner! You hear of all these national charities -yet knowing the donation stays local and especially for Senior Coastsiders feels great!" You can go directly to the car donation site by clicking HERE.
Bridge Groups Bridge is back and better than ever! There are casual games of bridge on Mondays from 1:00-3:45pm and on Fridays, we host Duplicate Bridge from 11:45am to 2:45pm. Friday games are ACBL sanctioned and cost is $10 to play. Please email Maria Grigorieff at mariagrigorieff@gmail.com to sign up to play. More details on the casual bridge can be found HERE and Duplicate Bridge HERE
Virtual Tour to the Shoreway Environmental Center
Join us for a virtual tour of the Shoreway Environmental Center and learn about what happens to compost, recycling, and garbage after it is picked up from our work and living spaces. Virtual tour will be Tuesday, October 26th at 10:00am. Scroll down to learn more and to register.
Other upcoming Community Events
Flu Shot Clinic at the HMB Library
The flu vaccine is the best way to prevent the flu. Anyone 2 years of age or older can get the flu vaccine. The Stanford Flu Crew is teaming up with San Mateo County Libraries to give free flu vaccines at Half Moon Bay Library. An appointment is not needed, and no identification is necessary. No fee or insurance is required. For more information, call (650) 573-2877. People 2 years and older are asked to wear a face covering.This is the regular dose vaccine - not the high dose senior vaccine. Saturday, October 2nd from 11:30am-2:30pm.
GoEV! Presentation Acterra and the Citizens Environmental Council invite you to a presentation covering the basics of EV ownership. Topics will include: the benefits of EVs, government rebates (up to $9,000) for "going EV", battery range and charging basics, leasing versus buying, current makes/models, and what's in store for the future! Bay Area EV experts will provide real-time answers to your questions (via chat) during the presentation. Afterwards, you can join interactive breakout rooms in which current owners will answer questions about specific models. Sunday, October 3, 4:00-5:30pm. To register, go HERE.
Aging with Pride: IDEA (Innovations in Dementia Empowerment and Action) at the
University of Washington is offering a free program for the LGBTQ community. Aging withPride: IDEA is the first federally-funded research study examining ways to improve the health and quality of life for adults with memory loss and their caregivers in the LGBTQ community.To learn more or inquire about participating, click HERE.
Make the Connection for Veterans Watch, read, and listen to Veterans and their family members share real stories of strength and recovery, find useful information and local mental health resources, and explore ways to show your support. Visit: https://www.maketheconnection.net/
Peninsula Family Services continues its Got Wheels Program! Got Wheels provides affordable alternative transportation for Daly City, Colma, Brisbane, South San Francisco, San Bruno, Millbrae, Burlingame, Hillsborough, Half Moon Bay, Montara, Hillsborough, Half Moon Bay, Montara, Moss Beach, and El Granada residents at least 70 years of age. Interested individuals may apply for no-cost membership. Members are provided up to six one-way rides a month for $5 each one-way ride. PFS subsidizes remainder of the fare. For more information, contact Cherie, Got Wheels! Program Coordinator: (650) 403-4300 Extension 4329 or cqmoreno@peninsulafamilyservice.org
Where would you draw the line? Both the City of Half Moon Bay and San Mateo County are seeking feedback on the redrawing of city and district lines. To learn more about city re-districting, please go HERE. For additional information on county redistricting, go HERE.
Fall Prevention Research has shown that regular balance and leg strengthening exercises can prevent falls. The Fall Prevention Coalition of San Mateo County offers a number of resources and information on classes. Check it out HERE.
Adult Functional Independence Test (AFIT) Sequoia Hospital’s new AFIT program is your chance to have a comprehensive physical assessment of your flexibility, strength, balance, posture and endurance. AFIT results help to:

  • Evaluate your strengths and deficits to reduce falls and maintain independence.
  • Identify impairments early to avoid chronic pain and injuries
  • Jump-start an exercise program or tailor your current one

Learn more by clicking HERE
Lunches, classes, and programs have resumed!

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 October menu. For a full list of class descriptions and instructors, click HERE.
Supporting Senior Coastsiders
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!
Thank you to our wonderful monthly donors who give an average of $50/month with gifts ranging from $10 to $100. We are so grateful for their commitment because monthly donations provide a sustainable revenue stream we can count on all year long. If you would like to become a monthly donor, go to the Donate tab on our website and select Recurring Donation on the Donate Now screen. Thank you.
Just for Fun!

A Note from the Executive Director
Relationships. I’ve been thinking a lot about the concept of relationships recently for several reasons. Most excitingly, my daughter is about to have her first child within a few days which will be my first grandchild. We don’t take for granted that all will go well and are happy that so far everything is progressing as it should. At the other end of the age spectrum, I think of the relationship my 85-year-old dad has with his partner. My dad and mum were married for 50 years before she died. Since then, my dad has been fortunate to experience a second bloom of love and happiness with a new partner. Family members in between these two ends of the age continuum have at various times experienced the ups and downs of starting and ending relationships.
 
Interpersonal relationships are not the only ways one can enjoy the richness that feeling connected to others brings. Recently three team members at Senior Coastsiders have adopted dogs and very quickly these furry friends have wagged and licked their way into their owners’ hearts. These team members are experiencing the many physical and mental health benefits of having a pet companion. My own dog is over 13 years old and unlikely to be around too much longer. He has brought me so much joy and I will miss him when he is no longer with us. 
 
I spoke with a participant this past week who was telling me how her cats have been a source of comfort to her since her husband passed away. Knowing all the benefits of pet ownership, we will be launching the Senior Coastsiders Pet Buddy Program during the month of October. The goal of this program is to support those of our participants who have pet related needs. Watch out for more information in the coming months about the roll out of this program and how you can get involved as a donor or volunteer.
 
And there is another kind of relationship I’ve been thinking about a lot lately – the wonderful relationship that Tracey Gould has with so many people in our community. Hardly a week goes by without our office hearing by phone, letter, or in-person how much Tracey has helped people in their deepest time of need. October 15th marks Tracey’s 25th work anniversary at Senior Coastsiders and we are deeply appreciative of the contribution she makes to our organization.
 
I would love to hear about your special relationships. My door is almost always open so stop by for a chat when next you are at the Center or give me a call. If you are seeking new connections, let us know as we have several opportunities that might be of interest.

Best wishes to you all

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 our community.
Looking to make the switch to cleaner energy?
Consider swapping out your gas water heater for an electric heat pump water heater and score some big rebates from Peninsula Clean Energy! As a San Mateo County resident you could be eligible for $2,500 or more if you replace your gas water heater with a heat pump water heater. If you are a CARE/FERA customer, or if you are upgrading your electrical panel, you could be eligible for even bigger rebates of up to $1500.

Why switch?

Heat pump water heaters are cleaner, safer and more energy-efficient than gas water heaters. Learn more about the rebates at the
Peninsula Clean Energy website: peninsulacleanenergy.com

COVID-19 Booster Shots
Who qualifies for a booster shot?

The following guidelines have been set by the ACIP and CDC:
  • People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series
  • People aged 50 to 64 with certain underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series
  • People 18 to 49 who are at high risk for severe COVID-19 due to certain underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risk
  • People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series

For additional information about booster eligibility, please visit the CDC website.

Booster shots of Pfizer are available at the Half Moon Bay CVS or you can check with your primary care physician. To schedule a Pfizer booster with CVS, click HERE.

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!