CALABASAS SENIOR CENTER NEWSLETTER
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Update From
Kimberly Post, Supervisor
So many of you have called and asked when we plan to re-open the Calabasas Senior Center, that I want to give you the best information I can at this time.
Staff has been collecting surveys of the instructors and participants, to determine how many people are looking forward to returning to in-person classes and how many prefer to stay on zoom for lectures and classes. We've also surveyed other senior centers to explore various ideas and options.
We are considering re-opening in phases. Phase 1 would be opening for
in-person classes, clubs, and later in Phase 2 we would re-open table games with modifications, and lastly excursions/socials. We will be considering our room sizes and how many people can be in a room and still maintain appropriate distancing. We will be adhering to all County and State safety guidelines and protocols.
If all goes well and there are no major changes in the Covid numbers, we would like to re-open the CSC on Monday, June 21, 2021. Meanwhile, enjoy your zoom classes and we all look forward to seeing you soon.
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City of Calabasas
Celebrates 30th Anniversary
Happy Birthday, Calabasas!
by James Bozajian, Mayor
Thirty years ago today, on April 5, 1991, Calabasas officially became California’s 466th city. One month earlier, local voters had approved incorporation by a whopping margin of 91% to 9%. Calabasas was at long last free to chart its own destiny. Starting from scratch, our founders immediately set to work on building the infrastructure of the fledgling municipality from the ground up. It was far from easy.
In the intervening 30 years, Calabasas has been hit with everything from natural disasters, to economic recessions, to pitched land use battles, and more. Through it all, we have persevered and thrived. Yes, there are still significant challenges ahead. There always will be. But today, we ask you to reflect upon our beautiful City’s many landmark achievements since its birth. For more information, please visit: https://www.cityofcalabasas.com/30th
As we work our way out of the present pandemic, we will be celebrating our anniversary in many different ways throughout the year. To kick things off, we are sponsoring a monthly Historical Treasure Contest to help promote and preserve our local heritage. In doing so, we hope to discover and share with the community an interesting collection of pictures, artifacts, and other unique curiosities which might otherwise be lost to time. For additional information about how to participate in this exciting and educational competition, please see the attached flyer:
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7th Annual Special Speaker Series
Presented by the City of Calabasas
Laurie L. Levenson
Tuesday, May 11, 2021, 7:30 pm
"Wrongly Convicted - Now What?"
Laurie Levenson will share some incredible stories of prisoners falsely convicted and how they were ultimately proven innocent. She will discuss the broader issue of reforms of our criminal justice system that can lead to more trust of our courts and more peace on our streets.
Laurie Levenson, a Professor of Law and David W. Burcham Chair in Ethical Advocacy at Loyola Law School, has also served as a federal prosecutor. She is the founding director of Loyola’s Project for the Innocent. She has provided legal commentary on many high-profile cases from Rodney King to O.J. Simpson to Michael Jackson to the current cases in the news. She has even served as a technical advisor on such popular movies as “Legally Blonde”.
Location: Virtual Program via Zoom
Fee: $15.00 each individual speaking engagement/per household.
For more information, please visit www.cityofcalabasas.com
or call (818) 224-1777
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David Hurwitz
Photograph Club
David Hurwitz, Photography Club Leader, gave the class an assignment to create an
Abstract Photo. It wasn't necessary to leave your home. Below are the results!
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Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo is an annual celebration
held on May 5. The date is observed to commemorate the Mexican's Army's victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla, on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza. The victory of the smaller Mexican force against a larger French force was a boost to morale for the Mexicans. Zaragoza died months after the battle due to illness. A year after the battle, a larger French force defeated the Mexican army at the Second Battle of Puebla, and Mexico City soon fell to the invaders.
More popularly celebrated in the United States than in Mexico, the date has become associated with the celebration of Mexican-American culture. These celebrations began in California, where they have been observed annually since 1863. The day gained nationwide popularity in the 1980s thanks especially to advertising campaigns by beer and wine companies. Today, Cinco de Mayo generates beer sales on par with the Super Bowl. Mexico, the commemoration of the battle continues to be mostly ceremonial, such as through military parades or battle reenactments.
The city of Puebla marks the event with an arts festival, a festival of local cuisine, and re-enactments of the battle. Cinco de Mayo is sometimes mistaken for Mexico's Independence Day—the most important national holiday in Mexico—which is celebrated on September 16, commemorating the Cry of Dolores, which, in 1810, initiated the war of Mexican independence from Spain.
...Wikipedia
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Memorial Day
Memorial Day, May 31, for many Americans, conjures up images of hamburgers, hot dogs, swimming pools, and Summertime. But the last Monday in May serves, most importantly, as a time to honor those who died while fighting in the U.S. Armed Forces. It’s a holiday steeped in somber American history and tradition.
The day actually began as “Decoration Day,” following the Civil War, when mourners placed flowers on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers. Yes, Memorial Day has also come to signify the “unofficial” start of summer, but let’s remember the heroes who made it all possible.
Wikipedia
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CLUB NEWS
by
Cathie Mattson
&
Bobbie Miller
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It's not too soon to think about activities again
at the Calabasas Senior Center!
When the Center opens again, we want to be ready with any ideas for new Clubs
If you have an idea for a new Club, please contact either Cathie Mattson (818) 222-7068 or Bobbie Miller (818) 591-7958. Some things to consider for a Club are the following:
the Club name, Club purpose, minimum and maximum number of persons, meeting frequency, and length of time the Club would meet or gather.
We are happy to help you through the initial startup process for a new Club.
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Savvy Seniors
Caring Calabasas Club
by Carol Davis
Eyeglass Collection
For the month of June will now be partnering directly with the Lions Club of Malibu to collect new and used eyeglasses. They will be recycled to needy people. Sunglasses, readers and prescription glasses for men, women and children are needed. Please spread the word to family and friends and bring them to the Senior Center from June 1st to the 30th.
Questions? Contact: Karen Nebel - Email karennebel3@gmail.com
Operation Gratitude
Scarves, Hats and Cards
Our on-going project of knitting scarves and hats continues. Please keep your eyes and ears open for yarn that people might like to donate so we can change it into something useful, or start purling and knitting yourself.
Questions? Contact: Ellen Pangarliotas - lnnmike@aol.com
Our card making group has created over 350 cards for first responders, military, and healthcare workers. When the senior center opens, we will have a card making event.
Phone Buddies
Calling all people that would like to initiate or receive calls from a buddy! Currently, we are looking for volunteers for both ends of the process. Our partner is the MPTF who will allow us to use the guidelines for their award-winning program. This feel-good program will probably start in earnest in the fall, but we are organizing now. Contact Barbara Margolies bmargo@roadrunner.com to be included.
What’s Next?
My Stuff Bags Fleece Blankets Project
When the Senior Center opens, we will be making the fleece blankets together. We hope to buy some in bulk, but feel free to shop the sales at Joanne’s between now and d then. Buy a pattern that speaks to you. They service children from infants through Teenagers. If you do buy fabric contact Cathie so she can cut the selvedge off in advance and you will be ready to go.
Questions? Contact: Cathie Mattson petermttsn@yahoo.com
Books Build Bridges
We are happy to announce that in September we will be partnering with the charity Books Build Bridges. The founder is an outstanding young man that attends Chaminade High School. We will need cardboard boxes for the books…not too big…and books for ages from three to ninety three. (excluding text books). Stay tuned for the details. Our point person is planning on making this a fun event.
Questions? Point Person: Mickie Stern mickie2020@hotmail.com
Would you like to join the Caring Calabasas Club? You can just come and lend your ideas or do projects that interest you in some way. Our next Zoom meeting is Thursday April 15th from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM. Please email Carol Davis at: ctdavis1@aol.com so we can send you a Zoom invitation.
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A MOUNTAIN OF SHOES, 4,625 PAIRS!
Lindsay Sobel, founder of Shoes for Souls, is perched on top of Savvy Seniors' contribution of 4,625 pairs of shoes. Of those, only 10 pairs needed to be discarded according to Lindsay.
We broke the record for the largest single donation to her charitable project and it would not have happened without your enthusiastic support. That's amazing!
Thank you all for embracing our first charitable endeavor for the Caring Calabasas Club. A special shout out to Girl Scout Troop #286 from Chaparral Elementary School and Rotary Club of Calabasas, District 5280 who responded so generously to our request for "gently worn shoes." We have proven that, "it takes a village" and will partner again with Shoes for Souls so please continue to save shoes for our future drive.
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Our Own Zoom Fitness Videos
All 4 Yoga videos for Seniors
are now linked from the
Calabasas Senior Center page!
CLICK ANY LINK BELOW:
These are available all the time, so try them out!
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Interested in joining a
Book Club?
Many seniors have asked if the Calabasas Senior Center has a book club. We would like to form one, if there is enough interest. Once established, the book club will meet one Thursday a month, from 10:00am to 12 noon.
If you are interested in joining our new book club, or if you would like to lead the club, please contact: Bobbie Miller at (818) 591-7958
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"Savvy Cyber Snippets"
by Bill Davis
Greetings to all of my Savvy Senior Friends.
The topics this month are a display of beautiful and enthusiastic young people and a humorous lesson on how to view the world around us.
Jerusalem Academy Flashmob For Taglit at Ben Gurion Airport
This is a surprise reception for arriving young Birthright travelers. Just look at and enjoy the warm, happy and enthusiastic faces of these beautiful young people. I challenge you to watch this and not be touched. Three minutes of pure joy.
How Not To be Ignorant About The World
How much do you know about the world? Hans Rosling, with his famous charts of global population, health and income data demonstrates that you have a high statistical chance of being quite wrong about what you think you know. Nineteen minutes of humor and perspective.
Enjoy!
Bill Davis is a longtime resident of Calabasas and wannabee BBQ Pitmaster.
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Five Little Known Nature Preserves to Explore
Now that we can get out and enjoy nature, here are five nearby nature preserves to try.
Preserves also reflect an ethos of land stewardship and a strong belief that wild places should be open to the public for free. Preserves throughout the West are often run by private conservancies. They can be large or small but share a common goal of protecting particular landscapes.
Wild Wolves Preserve
16019 California 166, Bakersfield
Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
Free entrance and parking; free camping (tents and vans only); Dogs on leashes OK
It has a year-round creek lined with sycamore and cottonwood trees, 40 miles of hiking trails, a dozen campsites, a small waterfall, considerable rock art and cultural treasures (off-limits to the public because they are fragile), and thousands of plant and animal species.
Santa Margarita River Trail Preserve
4251 River Edge Road, Fallbrook, Calif.
Open daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free entrance and parking; Dogs on leash OK
Five trails are marked on the map (available at the trailhead), all rated moderate. Expect to share them with horseback riders, trail runners and dog walkers. There are benches in shady spots along the river walk if you want to pause or picnic. (Parking fills quickly on weekends; consider a midweek visit instead.)
Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve
8833 Harmony Grove Road, Escondido, Calif.
Open daily 8 a.m. to half-hour before sunset
Free entrance and parking; Dogs OK on leash and off-leash at posted times
Eleven miles of trails are open to hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. Oak Idyll, a small grove of oak trees with a stone bench that faces Escondido Creek, is a good place to relax or meditate. From the parking lot, the walk to the grove is less than a quarter mile, with easy terrain suitable for young children.
Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve
It’s 2,900 acres, with a mix of conifers, oaks and manzanita that gives you a big-woods feel as you explore not far from downtown Julian.
Start at the well-marked gateway before heading up the trail to the summit on a 5.4-mile round-trip hike (moderately strenuous) with 1,200 feet of gain. You’ll see a marker at the top that notes the mountain was once considered as an observatory site; Mt. Palomar was selected instead. Summit views take in the desert and San Diego.
Ramona Grasslands County Preserve
17430 Highland Valley Road, Ramona, Calif.
Open daily 8 a.m. to sunset
Free entrance and parking; Dogs OK on leash
The easy Wildflower Trail is a two-mile loop that takes you past a picnic bench overlooking a pond. The easier Meadow Loop covers less than a mile. Both are flat and good for young children. Birders should look for golden eagles, which hunt in these grasslands, and burrowing owls.
Click Here for FULL Los Angeles Times article and photos
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A Recipe for May
Butter-Basted Scallops with Spring Greens and Snap Peas
You’ve likely seen the restaurant technique of tilting a skillet so that the butter pools at one edge and can be spooned repeatedly over meat or seafood. Culinary Director Justin Chapple uses the technique with seared sea scallops, letting the butter caramelize until browned and nutty. Crisp-tender snap peas, spinach, and dandelion greens finish in the same pan for a truly springy, masterful main dish. Total: 30 minutes Yield: 4
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 12 large sea scallops, side muscles removed (about 1 1/4 pounds)
- Kosher salt
- Pepper
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
- 4 garlic cloves (2 whole and 2 thinly sliced), divided
- 2 thyme sprigs
- 1/2 pound sugar snap peas, trimmed
- 6 ounces leaf spinach, stemmed (1/2 bunch)
- 5 ounces dandelion greens, stemmed and chopped (1/2 bunch)
- 1 cup pea shoots
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Directions
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Season scallops to taste with salt and pepper, and add scallops to skillet. Cook until browned on the bottom, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn scallops, and add butter, whole garlic cloves, and thyme sprigs to skillet. Cook, basting scallops with butter, until browned on the other side and just opaque throughout, 2 to 3 more minutes. Transfer to a warm plate, and pour butter on top; keep warm. Wipe out skillet with paper towels.
Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil to the same skillet, and heat over medium-high. Add sugar snap peas and thinly sliced garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until peas are crisp-tender and garlic is softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in spinach, dandelion greens, and pea shoots, and cook until barely wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in lemon juice, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to a platter, and top with scallops and butter. Discard thyme sprigs and whole garlic cloves before serving.
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Closed Captioning will be available upon request to anyone who wants to take advantage of this option for Calabasas Senior Center programming.
For more information,
call: (818) 224-1777
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The Last Trial
by Scott Turow
In this explosive legal thriller from New York Times bestselling author Scott Turow, two formidable men collide: a celebrated criminal defense lawyer at the end of his career and his lifelong friend, a renowned doctor accused of murder.
At eighty-five years old, Alejandro "Sandy" Stern, a brilliant defense lawyer with his health failing but spirit intact, is on the brink of retirement. But when his old friend Dr. Kiril Pafko, a former Nobel Prize winner in Medicine, is faced with charges of insider trading, fraud, and murder, his entire life's work is put in jeopardy, and Stern decides to take on one last trial.
In a case that will be the defining coda to both men's accomplished lives, Stern probes beneath the surface of his friend's dazzling veneer as a distinguished cancer researcher. As the trial progresses, he will question everything he thought he knew about his friend. Despite Pafko's many failings, is he innocent of the terrible charges laid against him? How far will Stern go to save his friend, and -- no matter the trial's outcome -- will he ever know the truth?
Stern's duty to defend his client and his belief in the power of the judicial system both face a final, terrible test in the courtroom, where the evidence and reality are sometimes worlds apart.
Full of the deep insights into the spaces where the fragility of human nature and the justice system collide, Scott Turow's The Last Trial is a masterful legal thriller that unfolds in page-turning suspense -- and questions how we measure a life.
...Goodreads.com
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Like us on our
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Our Tech Help program, using Zoom, has been very successful!
High school students have been conducting Tech Help with many seniors and a few instructors, meeting for 45 minutes during weekday afternoons over Zoom.
The participants have learned how to save and categorize photos, how to prepare a Power Point program, how to use Zoom, how to download books from the library, and how to use their cellphones, computers and other devices more successfully. Using Screen Sharing, the students have been able to demonstrate the lessons and ideas to the seniors.
Our high school tech help students will continue to be available throughout the Fall and Winter months. So, this is your chance improve your skill since going forward, our classes and lectures will be held using Zoom.
Lois Julien will administer the Zoom session, and facilitate during the 45-minute instruction. She will notify you of the meeting day and time, meeting ID, and password.
If you would like to set up an appointment with a Tech Help student, between the hours of 1:00-4:00pm, Monday through Friday, please contact Lois Julien, Calabasas Senior Center, at: ljulien@cityofcalabasas.com
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We're Here for You...
In order to answer your questions, help with class registration,
and assist you with the links for Zoom meetings,
a reduced staff will be at the Calabasas Senior Center building,
Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 5:00pm.
Staff will be available by phone, only.
We miss you ... Stay safe!
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SURVEY MONKEY QUESTIONS REVISED FOR COVID-19
We would appreciate all of your comments
when you receive the class surveys.
It will help us plan for the future. Thank you!
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Until we can sit around the table together to play cards and games, here are some websites that organize your Mah Jongg, Canasta, and Bridge games virtually, with your own friends or
against the computer.
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Play Mah Jongg online with one, two or three friends, or by yourself against the (very smart!) computer. The first month is free and then there's a nominal monthly fee. The website: www.realmahjongg.com
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Is Canasta your game? Try Canasta Junction for one flat fee of $9.99. You install the App, and then begin playing. The website is: www.canastajunction.com
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Bridge players - On Bridge Base, you can play with your friends or find a new partner online. The website is: www.bridgebase.com
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If you have questions or want to share information, please leave a message at the CSC main phone number: (818) 224-1777 and a staff member will return your call. |
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