January 2023
Closures & Class Cancellations

Senior Coastsiders will be closed on Monday,
January 2 for New Years and Monday, January 16 in observance of Martin Luther King Day.


We have COVID tests available to anyone who would like to test prior to returning to the center for classes and activities. Please stop by the office to pick up some tests and keep your holidays safe!
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 unless otherwise indicated.
New and Upcoming!
International Day in the Dining Room - Australia 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, January 11 for roasted lamb and veggies as we celebrate Australia ! Passports not required!
LIVE - Virtual Koala Tour Following our Australian lunch, come on a live virtual tour looking for koalas in the wild with local (to Byron Bay, Australia) guide and koala whisperer Wendy Bithell. Wendy will take us via zoom to wild koala habitat and will search for wild koalas. On the way, she will discuss their biology, habitat and their threats. Wednesday, January 11 at 1:00PM. Cost is $10 per person, please come by the office to register.
Elder Rights Presentation Join Creighton Mendivil, Supervising Attorney with the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo, to learn about issues especially affecting older adults in San Mateo County and nationwide. Whether you have questions about public benefits such as Social Security, Medicare, Medi-Cal, or you want to learn more about advanced health care directives or how to set up a power of attorney for someone, this is your chance to learn and ask questions. Tuesday, January 17 at 10:00AM.
Wake up to Wellness with Dr. Janet Meiselman Join Janet Meiselman, PsyD, licensed clinical psychologist as we explore how to work with and meet the challenges of the aging brain. Janet will provide examples from current research and clinical experience to show how memory can be enhanced by mindful effort and lifestyle factors. Dr.
Meiselman will also shed light on how common age-related cognitive
concerns can be addressed with strategies to meet these challenges and accommodate to common cognitive changes in later life. Janet L. Meiselman, PsyD is a licensed clinical psychologist who works with adults to find healthy ways to adapt to aging and the changes inherent in the second half of life. Over the past 25 years, Janet has supported older adults, along with their families and care providers. Dr. Meiselman has created and teaches brain health programs designed to challenge the mind, enrich the spirit, and rejuvenate health and wellness. For more information, visit: www.janetmeiselman.com. Presentation will take place on Thursday, January 19 at 10:00AM.
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 When Harry Met Sally on Monday, January 23 at 3:00PM

Harry and Sally meet when she gives him a ride to New York after they both graduate from the University of Chicago. The film jumps through their lives as they both search for love, but fail, bumping into each other time and time again. Finally a close friendship blooms between them, and they both like having a friend of the opposite sex. But then they are confronted with the problem: "Can a man and a woman be friends, without sex getting in the way? (Rated R Running Time - 1h 35m)

If you have movie suggestions, please stop by the office and let us know!
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Mystery Book Club This group meets the first Wednesday of each month at 12:00PM (January 4 this month). The group will be discussing The Mistletoe Murder, by P.D.James. 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.
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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 during our birthday celebration. Swing by the table to check out and return books and see what's new at the library!
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 (January 12 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!
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.
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, January 6!
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. Class will be held every Friday of January - instructor and medium TBD.
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
  • Carol Siegal on the first Wednesday of each month
  • Coastside Celtic Collaboration the second Wednesday of each month
  • Vocalist Tina and guitarist Harry the third Wednesday of each month
  • Mike McCall on Spanish guitar the fourth Tuesday of each month
  • Blue City Jazz on the fourth Thursday of each month
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.
TECH CORNER
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!
  • 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.
Digital Connectivity Looking for a way to stay in touch with family and friends through the Internet? Would you like to gain the skills to perform everyday tasks, like talking to your doctor and ordering groceries, with the click of a button? Or do you wish you knew how to access entertainment such as movies, music, books, and games, online?
 
Senior Coastsiders recently partnered with Community Tech Network (CTN) to offer eligible older adults a FREE device and FREE 1:1 digital skills training through CTN’s Home Connect Program. CTN’s trained instructors will offer personalized support to directly help you learn the skills in which YOU are interested. Whether you have never used the Internet before or already have some basic knowledge, this program is for you! Stay tuned for more details.
Tai Chi NEW Day and Time! With the cooler weather, it is time for Tai Chi to move indoors! Classes begin with Silk Reeling exercises, a series of spiral movements, designed to open up all the joints of the body, promoting muscle relaxation and flexibility, and reducing tension and strain. The second part of class will focus on the Chen style Tai Chi form. Though it began as a martial art, most people practice it for the health benefits of better circulation, balance, body alignment, leg strength, and the good feeling it produces when practiced with intention. Studies have shown that regular practice of Tai Chi can improve many health problems. Instructor Kathleen McCarty.
Class will meet on Thursdays at 1:15PM in the Sunroom (exception 1st Thursday of each month when in the Dining Room). First session will be January 12. Class cost is $5.00.
NEW Trivia Day Fun Day!
With growing popularity, Trivia Day will happen twice a month starting in January! Join us Monday, January 9 and/or Wednesday, January 25 1:00PM. Our trivia master is 74 yr old 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 for the month!
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:
  • Look back to get a new understanding of your life
  • Create a written history of family stories
  • Write about what’s really important
  • Make new friends who also share their stories
Group will meet on Thursday afternoons from 1:30-3:00PM for ten sessions starting on January 19. To register, please call Sandy directly at 650-619-6922
Guided Imagery is a convenient and simple relaxation technique that can help you quickly and efficiently manage stress and reduce tension in your body. Join this free session, Tuesday, January 24 from 4:00-5:000PM. To learn more and to register, see the Contemplative Practices section below.
AARP Tax Services 
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is the nation's largest, free, in-person tax preparation service. Volunteers are trained and IRS certified each year. They offer tax preparation help to anyone, and if you're 50 and older and can't afford a tax preparation service, they are especially for you! This service will be offered Wednesdays from 9:00AM to 2:30PM at Senior Coastsiders. We will begin taking appointments on January 9. Appointments last one hour and can be made by calling Senior Coastsiders at 650-726-9056.
 
Please note that certain complex tax situations, such as taxpayers who own rental property or operate complex businesses, are not within the training of our Tax-Aide volunteers and cannot be completed.
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 on Thursdays at 1:00PM in January.
Parkinson's Support Group Wednesday, January 4 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.
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.
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Display Ed Martin thanks all who stopped by to recognize those that fell at Pearl Harbor. He was grateful to share his 30 year collection of memorabilia with such a wonderful crowd.
Save the Date
Other upcoming Community Events & Info
Fall Prevention The Fall Prevention Coalition of SM County, through a grant from the Calif. Department of Health, is offering free in-home safety evaluations and one on one instruction on fall prevention as well as some home safety modifications. To learn more, call 1-844-NoFalls (844-663-2557) and leave a message with a call back #
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.
The Commission on Disabilities (CoD) would like to invite anyone with experience using SamTrans fixed-route services, especially individuals with disabilities, to provide their feedback using the following survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SMCFixedRoute
 
Responses will be kept anonymous, and will be used by the CoD to help advise the Board of Supervisors and SamTrans on any improvements that may be needed to the County’s fixed route services. The survey should take roughly 10-15 minutes to complete.
Earn Free Tickets on Redi-Wheels and Redicoast!
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 
health crises and suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health emergency, call 988.
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.
 
SCSEP is currently accepting applicants who live in San Mateo County, San Francisco and Marin County, 55 years or older, unemployed, and low income.
 
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.   
VOTC Movie Night at the HMB Library featuring “Elvis” 5:30-8:00PM
Join other Village members at the movies! “Elvis” is a 2022 biographical musical drama film directed by Baz Luhrmann, who co-wrote the screenplay with Sam Bromell, Craig Pearce, and Jeremy Doner. The film follows the life of rock and roll icon, singer, and actor Elvis Presley, told from the perspective of his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, whose financial abuse of him is a major focus of
the film. It stars Austin Butler in the title role with Tom Hanks as Parker. No refreshments will be served. Snacks may be brought in. Bring a friend! Thursday, January 19.
Celebration of Life and Honoring Cara Schmaljohn

Wednesday, January 18
4:00-6:00PM

It was with great sadness that we announced the death of Cara Schmaljohn who served as the Executive Director of Senior Coastsiders from 1988 to 2019. Cara's dedicated service and commitment to improving the lives of older Coastside adults made a tremendous impact in our Community.

Under Cara's leadership, the services and programs at Senior Coastsiders expanded from meal provision, transportation, and classes and activities, to include home repair, care management, and a growing volunteer program. One of Cara's greatest achievements was the capital campaign conducted in partnership with the Coastside Adult Day Health Center that resulted in the construction of the Senior Housing Campus in which both our organizations are now located.

Senior Coastsiders will be honoring Cara's dedication to the senior community and celebrating her life on Wednesday, January 18 from 4:00-6:00PM. The community at large is invited to come to the center to pay their respects and share their memories of Cara.
Contemplative Practice for Resilience and Well-Being
Contemplative practice behaviors include activities such as meditation, prayer, breath awareness, gratitude, and compassion. There is substantial scientific evidence that contemplative practice behaviors provide physical and psychosocial health benefits. Contemplative practices have been shown to strengthen resilience, self-awareness, mindfulness, self-regulation and distress tolerance. 

Translating this science into impact, Senior Coastsiders is pleased to offer a dynamic series delivered by content experts and designed to build contemplative practice behaviors and promote resilience. These free sessions occur monthly through May 2023 with some taking place via Zoom and others in person at Senior Coastsiders. A resource booklet will be developed to assist interested individuals in finding out more information about contemplative practices.

Session 6 Guided Imagery - Tuesday, January 24 from 4:00-5:00PM - in person at Senior Coastsiders

Yoga and mindfulness have been found to provide significant stress reduction benefits, which can be amplified through Guided Imagery. Guided Imagery is a convenient and simple relaxation technique that can help you quickly and efficiently manage stress and reduce tension in your body. During this session, you will learn about the process of Guided Imagery, how to practice it on your own, and make it work for you for optimal results.

Chanda Williams is a Predoctoral Fellow at the Osher Center for Integrative Health at UCSF and a yoga therapist. She is currently studying the long-term impact of trauma-informed, mindfulness-based yoga therapy among incarcerated populations. She is also working with UCSF faculty to examine the acceptability and use of integrative oncology practices and complementary therapies (e.g., diet, exercise, yoga, and supplements) among Black individuals with cancer.


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


Other upcoming sessions - Save the dates:

  • Session 7 Gratitude and Loving Kindness, February 28, 4:00-5:00PM (Zoom)
  • Session 8 Mindful Self Compassion, Tuesday, March 28, 1:00-2:00PM (In person)
  • Session 9 Restorative Yoga, Wednesday, April 19, 4:00-5:00PM (Zoom)
  • Session 10 Mind-Body Centering, Tuesday, May 9, 4:00-5:00PM

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.
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, limited financial assistance towards veterinary care and adoption assistance.
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.

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 our current class listings, the January 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.
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
Thank you to all our wonderful donors who have helped us meet our 2022 year end giving goal of $150,000!! We received gifts from 166 donors that ranged in value from $5 to $25,000. Every gift we receive is used to make a difference in the lives of older adults in our community. Thank you!!
Just for Fun!

A Note from the Executive Director, Sandi Winter
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.

Power on Peninsula: Solar + Battery Backup Program
Solar energy is clean and can lower the cost of energy. When backup batteries are included, they can keep the lights on even during power outages due to storms, fires, or other causes. Peninsula Clean Energy, the community electricity provider for San Mateo County and the City of Los Banos, is offering $500 for residents for solar + battery backup systems.They are working with Sunrun to implement the program. Sunrun will design, install, and maintain the solar electric system and backup batteries. The panels charge the batteries by day and provide you with power in the case of grid shutdown.

In addition to lower energy costs and more secure power during outages, you will be helping the environment. You will be part of a community electricity storage network that is helping us move toward 100% renewable energy.

For more information or to apply: https://pencleanenergy.co/3H4mA3y
Winter virus season is here! This winter, help protect yourself and the vulnerable (especially young children, babies, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals) from many circulating viruses, including the flu, COVID-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
Take these measures to help keep yourself and those you love healthy and out of the hospital.
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!