VILLAGE VOICES

December 2016
 

In This Issue


My Life as a Transgender Elder

Retirement Transition Workshop

Embracing Change Workshop

Volunteers


Ashby Village Links


culturegiving
Two women smiling and playing with a white and black dog
Member Phyllis Plate and Volunteer Enid Pollack, 
photo by Nancy Rubin
Ashby Village's Culture of Giving

Ashby Village's culture of giving continues to be strong, with records set last year.  Combined support for several funds saw over 160 members, volunteers and other friends donate over $83,000.  This year, we are on target to reach our goal of $100,000 - with your help, we will.  We can't thank our donors enough for your generous support for Ashby Village! Your generous support enables Ashby Village to create new programs. In addition,10% of all gifts made to the Founders Fund will help subsidize low-income members, as part of the It Takes A Village Fund.


retirementtransition
Retirement Transition Workshop

Wed,January 18, 2017
1:30 - 4:30 pm
150 University Hall
UCB

Open to recent UC retirees and Ashby Village members and volunteers who have retired or are contemplating retirement.

This workshop will provide an opportunity for us to work together as peers to explore aspects of retirement transition. In both small and large group formats, we will discuss these core topics:
  • If retired, what surprised you most? If not retired, what are your main questions?
  • Finding structure in retirement
  • Purpose, identity, and meaning in retirement
  • Health and body changes in retirement 
For more information, contact Mary Graham at [email protected]


embracingchange
Embracing Change
In Lives & Living Places
Tuesday, Dec. 6, 10am-noon
77 Domingo Ave., Berkeley  
 
Our lives, bodies and minds change with time, as does our living situations.  If you are considering what arrangements or modifications may be needed to say in your home, or making other residential alternatives for you and your family,  this panel will be invaluable!

Presenters
Alan Morgenstern -  Expert gerontologist and advocate for seniors, he specializes in helping to locate the best residential solutions for seniors and their loved ones. Alan has worked with many of our members and is a valuable resource to Ashby Village community.
 
Barbi Jo Stim - As a founding member, a former board member, and welcoming team volunteer, Barbi Jo knows the Ashby Village community very well. As a professional she has held the top post at the Jewish Family and Community Services, focused on issues of aging and home care alternatives. In her various roles, she has been a wonderful contributor to the welfare of our members.


SPACE LIMITED!  Please reserve a seat on the WAITLIST  by contacting the office  [email protected]


volunteersVolunteers
Hearts N' Hands... in ReVErsE  
Ashby Village is the lucky recipient! 

Help prep and paint our new office:

No experience necessary, v olunteer may need to work on a ladder. 
To sign up , contact [email protected]
members-volunteers Members and Volunteers Welcome

December 2 Happy Hour Cancelled.
See You at the Holiday Party on Dec 3



Meditation
Wed., Dec 14  11 am
Epworth United Methodist
1953 Hopkins Street, Berkeley
Drop-Ins welcome




Yoga Mat
Thursdays, 10 am
The Yoga Room NEW LOCATION 

 



Fridays,  10 am 
Epworth United Methodist
1953 Hopkins, Berkeley



LGBTQQA
Interest Group


December meeting canceled
check back for details  


artsandculture
Arts and Culture Program Team Forming

Following the very successful poetry reading by Chana Bloch, with almost 100 Villagers and friends attending, our Board of Directors has approved the establishment of a new program team for Arts and Culture. Rochelle Lefkowitz and Marcia Freedman are its first members, and we seek others interested in assisting in programming three to four cultural events a year for the Village. If you're interested, please contact Marcia at  [email protected]

North Berkeley Neighborhood Group

The North Berkeley Neighborhood group is revitalizing its offerings of interest group sessions by holding three potluck dinners in the New Year. The purpose of the dinners is to explore the range of interests that exists within the neighborhood and to consider possible ways for sharing them with like-minded members. The overall objective is to enhance the sense of community among the members in the North Berkeley Neighborhood group.   The dinners are scheduled for January 22, February 19 and March 19 from 5-7 PM. More detailed information is forthcoming.

Nature Walk

by Audre Newman


It was a beautiful morning, sunshine filtering through the redwoods, oaks, bay laurels and eucalyptus. Our group (16 members and volunteers!) self divided into 2, those who preferred the out and back, flat walk (3.0 mi) along the Sequoia Bayview Trail (SBT), and those who preferred the longer route (3.6 mi) with more elevation gain and loss, 
leaving the Sequoia Bayview Trail  descending to the valley floor via the Sunset Trail, and returning to the SBT via the steep Chapparal Trail .  Audre Newman, Roger Newman, and Bob Leavitt lead the walks which finished at the same time back at the trailhead. It was a delightful group of people to walk with. Check out our December 10 upcoming walk.

Community Bulletin Board
communitybuletinboard
Looking for Reviewers

Retired Cancer Research Scientist and aspiring children's book author, Audrey Robinson, has written a seven book series (for ages 5-8) and illustrated three of them.  She is seeking members of the community who would be willing to critique her writing and illustrations. Contact Audrey Robinson,  [email protected] 

Med-Alert Bracelet Info

Does anyone have a recommendation for the best type of Med-Alert bracelet? I know there are several different kinds and want to be sure I'm contracting with a reliable company.  Chana, 510-524-8459,  [email protected]

Free Emergency Response Training

The City of Berkeley Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) offers free training to anyone who works or lives in Berkeley. U pcoming trainings may be of interest to Ashby Village Members.
 
December 6, 7pm 
Preparedness for People Dependent on In-Home Caregivers or Other Functional Support
Many neighbors and loved ones face challenges with aging and functional needs in order to continue living independently and at home. This may mean reliance on caregivers, assistive devices, or even medical care. What will happen in the event of an emergency or disaster, without access to power or personnel to perform these services?  Senior Behavioral Health Clinician Jeff Buell, LCSW, will give a presentation and lead a discussion about disaster and contingency planning for individuals needing caregiving or functional support. Included in the discussion will be a simple, functional assessment tool that can be utilized in the event of a disaster for reference, setting up care and addressing needs until regular services are back online.

Classes are held at the Berkeley Fire Department Division of Training
997 Cedar Street, Berkeley, CA 94710.   For further information, contact Khin Chin at  [email protected] or  (510) 981-5595.
 
STAY CONNECTED:
Newsletter co-editors Richard Bermack and  Charli Depner