September 2023

Let’s Get Together



The Board has been hard at work responding to your requests to have more in-person events and classes. In response, we have focused on finding locations that are affordable and accessible. In this newsletter, in addition to our many Zoom offerings, you will find information for in-person classes and events including the return of Zumba, a new class: Brain Fit Cardio offered by Petra, our Annual Fall Gathering, and a Report on the World Parkinson's Congress.

We thank you for your suggestions and donations which have made this additional programming possible.

See you in person soon!

NEW IN-PERSON CLASSES

In Collaboration with the North Oakland Senior Center

5714 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Oakland, CA 94609

New! Brain Fit Cardio for PD with Petra Fibrichova

When: Fridays, 9:30am – 10:30am

Starting Friday, September 15

Join us for a dynamic class that combines aerobic movement, strength, balance, and flexibility work, while challenging your brain as you move! We’ll be pushing against your PD symptoms with research based physically and cognitively challenging activities. Great music and group energy will get you fired up! This class is designed for those that are able to stand unassisted.

More information here.



Register Here or contact programdirector@pdactive.org to attend the first class.

Zumba For Parkinson’s — NEW Location

with Andreina Febres

When: Thursdays at 10:30am - 11:30am

Starting Thursday, September 14

Back by popular demand. This fun and energetic dance class taught in English and Spanish, uses Latin American rhythms to improve fitness, flexibility, and balance. Care partners and family members are welcome.

More information here.

Register here or contact programdirector@pdactive.org in order to attend the first class. 

Donate to support in person programming.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Tech Tips! In-Person, Individual Support with your Phone or Tablet

Get help maximizing your technology. Sign up when you arrive for your individual session. 

PD Active family member Natalie Does will answer questions, review accessibility functions, assist in setting up medical ID, and provide useful tips like how to set reminders, use shared calendars, and store / tag / find photos. (Most helpful for Apple iPhone users, limited support for Android phones.) 

Date: Wednesday, September 6

Time: 10:30am – 12:00pm 

Location: Ada’s Cafe, 3075 Adeline, Berkeley (Ed Roberts campus)

At Ashby BART, Ample street parking

September Speaker Forum — on Zoom

Wearables and DBS: Getting Your PD Data Directly to your Doctor

Now your Apple Watch and / or your DBS system can track your PD symptoms, together with your exercise information and your medication regimen, and send all of that data directly to your doctor. Find out how!

Date: Saturday, September 30, 2023

Time: 10:30 – 12:30pm

Location: on Zoom 

Panelists: Brian Pepin and Benjamin Stecher

More information here.

Register here.

Brian Pepin

Benjamin Stecher

Report Back from the World Parkinson's Congress (WPC) in Barcelona

With PD Active Members Deborah Harris and Adam Mizock — In Person 

Hear directly from community members about their experiences and what they learned at this important event.

Date: Saturday, October 7, 2023

Time: 10:30am – 12:00pm 

Location: Merrill Gardens, 5238 Coronado Ave, Oakland, CA 94618



Register here

More information, including directions and parking, is here.

PD Active Annual Fall Gathering in the Park

See old friends, and meet new ones at PD Active’s Outdoor Fall Gathering 

Date: Sunday, October 15, 2023

Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm

Location: Live Oak Park, 1275 Walnut St., Berkeley



Can you help? Contact Cathy Ball (programdirector@pdactive.org) to volunteer. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

August Speaker Forum — Gut Microbiome and Parkinson’s Disease Presentation

Watch the presentation here.

Sign up for the clinical trial here.

Parkinson’s and the Gut MicroBiome — Clinical Trial Participation

Find out about this fascinating study, and sign up to participate here.

Time and Location: by appointment.

UCSF Parkinson's Disease Symposium 2023 — Zoom Option



Date: Saturday, September 23, 2023

Time: 9:00am – 4:00pm

PD Active member Joanne Ruby will be speaking about women and Parkinson’s at this event which includes presentations on a wide range of topics. PD Active will have an information table. The event is full, but sign up for the waitlist to receive the zoom link.

Register here to participate by zoom.

Parkinson’s Association of Northern California Annual Education Conference

Date: September 30, 2023

Location: Roseville, CA



More information and registration here.

Rewilding — Berkeley Ballet’s Dance for PD® Performance

Featuring many PD Active Members

See the performance here.

Read about it in the San Francisco Chronicle here.

Parkinson’s Research at UC Berkeley 

The Cognition and Action Lab at UC Berkeley is recruiting people (without DBS) for studies examining the effect of Parkinson’s disease on motor and cognitive function. The lab is directed by Richard Ivry (Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience).

More information here.

Contact: ivrylab-parkinson@berkeley.edu

Donors

Philip and Helga Cohen

Becky Dowdakin and Flora McMartin

Robert Ferguson and Janet Nexon

Robert Graham

Ella Hirst

Aileen Kim

Brian Lewis

Alden Mudge

Howard and Ellen Rosenberg

Nick Stone Schearer

Beyant Singh

Chris and Annalisa Tay

Network for Good via Facebook

Donations in Honor Of

Art Pulaski – in honor of Josie Mooney

Donations in Memory Of

Suzanne and Italo Calpestri – in memory of Aubrey LaBrie

Michael Falasco and Katherine Keeney – in memory of Aubrey LaBrie

Yvonne Hall – in memory of Aubrey LaBrie

Portia Labrie – in memory of Aubrey LaBrie

Roxanne Phillips-Bradley – in memory of Aubrey LaBrie

Thelma L. Stiles – in memory of Aubrey LaBrie

Daniel Jarmel – in memory of Lee Shapiro

New Monthly Donor

Rosie Kaplan