Changing Our World Again - Join Us!
|
Check out above "tabs" for helpful information on the Ashby Village website,
|
|
|
|
|
In this just completed
Year of Stewardship many of you stepped forward to "shepherd and safeguard" our community as members, volunteers, donors and community partners. Thank you so much!
This year's theme -
"On the Move in 2016" - affirms our readiness to move into action. Read on to learn about the just launched "Healthier Aging Initiative" that will empower us to be enthusiastic, motivated and committed in keeping our bodies active. Also read about the role Ashby Village has taken to strengthen our village, and the larger movement, through the establishment of a California Village Coalition.
Please join me in hearing the call: get up, get out, and get
On the Move in 2016!
|
|
|
Andy Gaines
Executive Director |
We want to know
what you're thinking.
|
Inaugurated at our 5th Anniversary Celebration, the Founders' Fund has quickly become a great success, with over $60,000 in donations received so far. "What a wonderful testament to Ashby Village's culture of giving," observed Andra Lichtenstein, chair of the board. "This support from our members, volunteers and other friends in our community makes a very big difference."
Formed as a tribute to the founders, the Fund provides important support for Ashby Village, as we aim to keep our dues as low as possible, to about two-thirds of our annual costs.
The Founders Fund also reflects Ashby Village's culture of giving, by providing important support for our
It Takes A Village Fund.
This generosity increases access for lower income members, an important Village goal.
"All of the Ashby Village community members, who invite us into their lives, our volunteers (many of whom are members themselves) who provide thousands of hours of service, and our donors have all helped turn an idea into a reality," noted Andy Gaines, executive director. "We thank everyone for all they are doing."
Gifts to Ashby Village and to the Founders Fund may be made all year.
|
|
|
| Riitta Ikonen by Norwegian photographer Karoline Hjorth |
I Am Not Old
I am not old...she said
I am rare.
I am the standing ovation
At the end of the play.
I am the retrospective
Of my life as art
I am the hours
Connected like dots
Into good sense
I am the fullness
Of existing.
You think I am waiting to die...
But I am waiting to be found
I am a treasure.
I am a map.
And these wrinkles are
Imprints of my journey
Ask me anything.
- Samantha Reynolds
|
Focus on Five celebrates Ashby Village FIfth Anniversary
2016 Healthier Aging Initiative
|
What's that?You think its too cold to be outdoors? Think again! Often when there's a chill in the air, that's the ideal time for moderate exercise as it keeps you alert and moving to keep warm.
The
 best exercise for stimulating the heart (and losing weight) is moderately intense - walking at about 3 to 4 mph. At this pace, you should be able to carry on a conversation, but not sing. If you can sing, you are probably not working hard enough.... But... if you are gasping for breath, you may be above your target heart rate and need to slow down a bit. So use this test when you're walking when friends - try singing your favorite songs together!
Read More about the 2016 Wellness Initiative, and scroll down to read the first Healthier Aging column.
|
Ashby Village on the Move - Keeping Our Village Vital
HEALTHIER AGING
(a bi-monthly column with a featured article of interest,
a spotlight on a healthy practice,
and a list of monthly activities designed to keep you healthy)
|
|
|
ARTICLE OF THE MONTH
"BRAWN MAY AFFECT YOUR BRAIN"
by Roberta Pressman
Did you know that exercise may lead to "robust" improvements in
brain health and slow down age-related declines in memory and thinking?"
Up until recently, there has been much uncertainty about whether genes, home environment, or exercise habits are the crucial factors in influencing brain health. A recent twin study by Claire Stevens at King's College London has added to the research suggesting that the brain "needs exercise to stay fit."
Using leg muscle power, because studies have shown that
"older people with relatively powerful leg muscles get around better than those with weak legs... and have sharper minds" the scientists at King's College compared 162 female twin pairs."
They compared "leg power [from] 10 years earlier, with changes in brain function over the same period."
One of their finding was that a "muscularly powerful twin now performed about 18% better on memory and other cognitive tests than her weaker sister." They even found" significantly more brain volume and fewer 'empty spaces' in the brain than in her weaker sister."
Although more research is still "needed to understand these mechanisms", ..."this study brings home that the brain needs exercise to keep fit." Excerpted from "Brawn May Affect Your Brain" by
Gretchen Reynolds, in the New York Times, 11/24/15.
|
Suggested Activities
Happening Now
GET FIT WITH FRIENDS
Have you joined other Ashby Village members yet on one of our f
abulous walks/hikes ?
Experience the fun and beauty of a walk in the woods, or along the shore, on one of the beautiful hikes planned by Celeste Burrows, Audre Newman, and Shirley Jowell. Lunch afterwards is often an added treat.
This January, check out these hikes:
Sat Jan 9, 1-3pm
4 miles, ups and downs but oh so beautiful. Audre Newman will lead this hike.
Tilden Park: all levels. A few ups and downs for a total of 2.5 miles with an early opt out for those wanting to return after a mile, OR add a climb to Wildcat Peak for a total of 5 miles. Celeste Burrows will lead this hike.
Sun Jan 24, 11am - 1pm
Inspiration Point: great walk even in wet weather. A few ups and downs and 200 ft climb to Wildcat Peak.
Turn around possible at any point.
b
eautiful sunset views on a flat 3 mile walk around the marina with earlier opt out possible.
Celeste Burrows leads this hike.
AND STAY TUNED for more possible hikes in January in your neighborhoods.
Don't see what you like here? Give us some feedback and tell us what you would like us to offer:
-A particular type of walk or hike?
-Need a Neighborhood Walking Buddy ?
-Want to start a Neighborhood Walking Group?
We want your feedback because we want to help you and the rest of our Village get "On the Move".
Send your thoughts and ideas to
Roberta Pressman
[email protected]
and also let us know if you want to help with this endeavor.
|
 2016 California Village Coalition
The growth of the Village Movement in California is accelerating with 60+ Villages, both in operation and development. Village leaders and investors believe that the time has come to leverage these statewide numbers by forming a California Village Coalition (CVC), acknowledging that our potential for positively effecting people's lives is much greater when we come together.
Ashby Village, in collaboration with San Francisco Village, have secured a one year planning grant from The Archstone Foundation to gather broad input, assess feasibility, and design an implementation plan to launch the CA Village Coalition (CVC). The coalition focus on:
- Strengthening advocacy efforts
- Developing sustainable business models
- Achieving economies of scale
- Building greater public awareness of the positive impact Village membership is having for older Californians.
Convenings for Village leaders will be held in January for northern and southern CA in January, followed by convenings for aging service stakeholders in February. Stay tuned!
|
 Sat., Jan 30, 1:30 pm
Launch of 2016 Housing Options Workshops
Co-sponsored by: The Transition Network's TTN-HOME, Ashby Village and NextVillage SF
Research shows that those who are able to "age in place" will live longer, healthier, more independent and satisfying lives.
The Bay Area and especially the East Bay, is rich in resources and networks that are creating innovative alternatives and support systems for those who want to seek new housing options and ways of living with others as we grow older.
This workshop will introduce:
- 12 of the most typical housing options for East Bay seniors
- "My Housing Journey" - meet our speaker, hear her story
- Overview of upcoming workshop topics, and community-building opportunities
For more information, click here: Overview of Housing Options
|
Photos from Our 2015 Winter Holiday Party Past
|
|
|
Big THANK YOU to the Berkeley Broadway Singers for an engaging vocal time travel!
|
|
|
|
|
Thank you to the 23+ office volunteers who make the Ashby Village office run like clockwork...and SO MUCH FUN! We couldn't do it without you.
Ashby Village Staff (Pat, Andrea, Andy, Hilda - and Lola)
|
|
|
ASHBY VILLAGE CONTACTS
Staff
Program Leadership Team Chair
Board of Directors
PRESIDENT: Andra Lichtenstein
VICE PRESIDENT: Laura Peck
SECRETARY: Betty Webster
Jan Corazza
Bob Davis
Marcia Freedman
Rochelle Lefkowitz
Laura Peck
Patricia Sakai
Patricia Sussman
Betty Webster
Committee Chair
|
|
|
Newsletter Editor: Sarah Hawthorne
|
|
| |
|
TAI CHI CHIH
