October 2020
October is always busy - and this year is no different. This issue of the Beacon is packed with information and events. Be sure to read it all!
Thanks to everyone who purchased a ticket and also to our many sponsors and participating businesses! This year's Taste of the Coast was a great time and we hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did!

And now that we ate and drank our way through September, maybe it's time to get back on track with our exercise - anyone up for a walk or jog? Register below for this year's Pumpkin Run!
Congratulations!

A big congratulations to our winners of the two wine raffles! Sam Berry (longtime meals on wheels delivery volunteer) and Dan Wilkinson were both thrilled to take home their assortment of California and French wines. Susan Richards was equally excited to be the lucky winner of the gift certificate raffle so her tasting can continue!
Join us (virtually) for the 42nd ANNUAL PUMPKIN RUN!

Please join us in running or walking this year’s races (yes, you can do all three!) as part of our virtual race family! Sign up to run, or walk, the 5K, 10K or Half-Marathon. All distances can be run or walked during the event period, Monday, October 12 through Sunday, October 25 from wherever you are at whatever time is convenient! 

Go to www.seniorcoastsiders.org to register!

A Note from the Executive Director
Hello everyone,

I was born in Zimbabwe, a small country to the north of South Africa and lived there until my early twenties. During that time, I was eligible to vote only once – and did so. From Zimbabwe I moved to South Africa where I lived as a permanent resident for 17 years. During this time, I was eligible to vote only once at the very historic general elections held in April 1994 that resulted in the election of the great statesman Nelson Mandela as the first truly democratically elected leader of South Africa. The elections were the first in which citizens of all races were allowed to take part and were therefore also the first held with universal adult suffrage. The election marked the culmination of the four-year process that ended apartheid. April 27 is now a public holiday in South Africa, aptly called Freedom Day. In both Zimbabwe and South Africa thousands of people died for the right to vote during civil wars that lasted for decades. I lived through these civil wars so I am acutely aware of the sacrifices made by so many to ensure that all citizens can have their votes counted and their voices heard. Although I moved to the United States in 2003, it wasn’t until ten years later in 2013 that I became eligible to vote as a naturalized US Citizen, and I make sure to exercise this right at every opportunity.
This year – 2020 - marks the 100th anniversary of when the federal government of the United States certified states’ ratification of the 19th amendment pertaining to voting rights for women. The federal amendment mandates “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” Voting is the basic building block that gives people the power to control their government and to shape the policies they want and the future direction of their town, state, and country. The right to vote is precious and if you have it, you should use it. 

For the convenience of older adults in our community, Senior Coastsiders will have a ballot drop box located in the lobby of our building at 925 Main St., Half Moon Bay from October 1st until November 3rd. This box will be accessible Mondays to Fridays between 8:00am-5:00pm and I strongly encourage you to use it to drop off your signed ballot.

With very best wishes,
Sandi
Elections 2020 - What you need to know
The November 3, 2020 Presidential Election is approaching. All registered voters will be automatically mailed a ballot to their residence beginning October 5th. You may cast your ballot during the 29-day period prior to Election Day and on Election Day via a ballot drop box or by mail or vote in person. Here are some helpful tips to make sure your vote counts:
 
1.     Register
 
2.     Track your Ballot
  • Ballots are mailed beginning October 5th. 
  • Sign up for ballot tracking at https://california.ballottrax.net/voter. This will let you know when your ballot is mailed, received by the County, and counted!
 
3.     Drop off your Ballot 
  • Drop off your ballot at any voting location and participating jurisdiction office before 8 pm on Election Day and it will be counted. Inside boxes are open during business hours, outside boxes are available all day.
  • Local drop boxes are all in Half Moon Bay:
  • Senior Coastsiders (inside), 925 Main St, M-F, 8:00am-5:00pm.
  • New Leaf Community Market (inside), 150 San Mateo Rd, M-Sun, 7:00am-9:00pm.
  • City Hall (outside), 501 Main St.
  • For additional drop box locations: https://www.smcacre.org/post/vote-center-locations-hours.

4.     Mail your Ballot
  • Ballots are mailed beginning October 5th.
  • You do not need to place any stamps on the ballot return envelope. The postage has been paid by the County Elections Office.
  • Be sure to sign your ballot envelope or your ballot will not be counted!
  • Ballots must be received by the County Elections Office by 8:00pm on Election Day or be postmarked on or before Election Day and received within 17 days after Election Day.
  • Sign up for ballot tracking at https://california.ballottrax.net/voter. This will let you know when your ballot is mailed, received by the County, and counted!
 
5.     Vote in Person (Vote Early or on Election Day)
  • Voting Centers are open 9:00am-5:00pm from 10/31/20 through 11/2/20 (closed 10/12/20). At a voting center you can register to vote, vote in person, return a voted ballot, or request a ballot replacement.
  • Locations:
  • Half Moon Bay: Emergency Operations Center at 537 Kelly Street.
  • Moss Beach: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Gymnasium at 475 California Ave.
  • For additional Voting Centers: https://www.smcacre.org/vote-centers-vote-person.
 
Questions about ballots and the voting process can be directed to the County’s Election Office at by email at [email protected] or by phone at (650) 312-5222. 
Updates, virtual classes & activities
Flu Clinic at the Half Moon Bay Library (run by Stanford) - Saturday, October 3rd 11:30am to 2:30pm. Free flu clinic, open to all ages. For more information click here or to pre-register (highly recommended), please click here. All attendees 3 years of age and over are required to wear a mask. Call 1-833-YES-SMCL or text (650) 851-0147 with questions
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Virtual Mystery Book Club This group meets the first Wednesday of each month (Wednesday, October 7 for this month) at 1:00pm. The group will be discussing The Samurai's Daughter by Sujata Massey. For the Zoom link, please contact [email protected]. Future books can be picked up at the Senior Coastsiders office at 925 Main Street.
The Great Shake Out will happen on Thursday, October 15th. It is a great time to go through your earthquake preparation plan and actually practice! Will you join us?To learn more about participating from your home as well as steps you can take to better prepare, go to: https://www.earthquakecountry.org/
Emergency Contact listing with Senior Coastsiders If you would like to have someone check on you should there be an emergency or power outage, please complete this form (link). This information will ONLY be used in the event of a disaster or power shut-off and to ensure your safety. Please note that by completing this form, you are authorizing Senior Coastsiders to provide your personal information to emergency personnel.
Senior Coastsiders is partnering with PG&E to ensure that during planned Public Safety Power Shut-offs (PSPS), vulnerable home-bound seniors who live in High Fire-Threat Districts (HFTD) can be supplied with one additional meal per day due to a power shut off event in impacted areas. Additionally, Senior Coastsiders can help ensure that older individuals who will be impacted by a PSPS are aware of upcoming power outages so they will have time to charge items or make plans. Contact our office for more details, or fill out the Emergency Contact form.
COVID-19 Testing Through a partnership with the City and County, Senior Coastsiders will be hosting outdoor COVID-19 testing for older adults starting around the end of October. Please check our website, www.seniorcoastsiders.org in the coming weeks for more details, or call our office at 650-726-9056 after October 9th.
Climate Action Workshops What can we do about climate change? Let’s reduce the pollution driving increasing risks to our Coastside community, such as wildfire and smoke. Senior Coastsiders, along with other local non-profits, is partnering with the City and the County to help in the development of Climate Action Plans. There are six virtual (via Zoom) meetings planned during the month of October. All workshops are geared for attendees from both Half Moon Bay and the unincorpoated Coastside (Montara, Moss Beach, Princeton By-the-Sea, El Granada, Miramar, La Honda, Loma Mar, San Gregorio, and Pescadero). For the full list of virtual events and to register, go to  https://tinyurl.com/ClimateActionWorkshops. Senior Coastsiders will co-host a World Cafe scheduled for October 2st. Please join us! Also, if you would like to complete a survey regarding your thoughts on climate change and greenhouse gas, you can do so at http://bit.ly/CCAPSurvey
Ongoing Virtual Classes
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New Outdoor Zumba Gold Join instructor Laurie Becker on Tuesday mornings in the back parking lot for a 10:30-11:15 am Zumba Gold class. This is perfect for older adults who are looking for a modified Zumba class that recreates the original moves you love at a lower intensity. Space is limited, please call the Senior Coastsiders office at 650-726-9056 for more information. Cost is $5.00 per class.

Online Smart Phone Classes - Having difficulty hearing or seeing on your smart phone? Attend a free online training and make your smart phone work better for you! Learn how to make your phone louder and easier to hear, how to send text messages, how to turn your phone into a magnifier, how to connect Bluetooth devices, how to operate basic functions of your phone and much more! These two-part online trainings are presented by California Telephone Access Program. iPhone and Android sessions are ongoing. To participate, you will need a computer, internet service, a valid email address AND your smart phone! Please contact the Senior Coastsiders office at 650-726-9056 to register - space is limited.

Pilates Classes with Karen continue online from 9:00-10:00am every Tuesday and are free of charge. Email Karen at [email protected] to get signed up. This class is currently only open to those who have taken Karen's classes in the past.

Art Every Day! Mary Kay Jolley offers painting class online through an email format as well as once weekly live class (and previous classes are available on Youtube). To get on the class mailing list, email [email protected]

Functional Mobility with Kimm Ronberg continues on Wednesdays 9:00-10:00am via Zoom. Email Kimm at [email protected] for the link to the class.
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Gentle Yoga LindaGrace is offering Gentle Yoga on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:00am-12:00pm. Contact LindaGrace at [email protected] to sign up.

Wise Woman Yoga - Wise Woman Yoga was created for women in peri-menopause, menopause and beyond. Class is Monday evenings at 6:00pm. For additional information go to http://www.wisewoman-yoga.com/classes.html

Jetta's Balance Class for Seniors - Jetta will take participants through a series of exercises focused on increasing balance and reducing falls. Join Jetta on Thursdays at 10:30 am by contacting [email protected]

Rosen Classes continue on the regular schedule with Jetta and Kate. For Mondays at 9:30am, and Wednesdays at 10:30am, email [email protected] to receive the invitation to the Zoom classes. For Kate's Friday class at 11:00, email Kate O'Shea at [email protected]. Class fee is based on a sliding scale and can be paid via Paypal or by check.

Parkinson's Exercise Class continues on Tuesdays via Zoom. Email Jetta at [email protected] for more information and to sign up.

Stages Peer Counseling meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month via Zoom at 10am. Please email Michelle at [email protected] for the Zoom link.

Qigong with Judy Pruzinsky - Tuesday afternoons 1:00-2:00pm and Thursday evenings 7:30-8:30pm. Please contact Judy for more information.

Other Resources & Activities

Hair by Hannah - Hannah Costa is offering a mobile salon service that will come to you as a result of the Shelter-In-Place. To learn more, call her at 650-867-4018 for more information. Senior Coastsiders is looking into having Hannah at the center one day a week for appointments. If this is a service that you might like, please contact the office at 650-726-9056 so we can gauge interest.
Line Dancing with Allen Isidro - this is a great Youtube channel with some beginner dances to keep you moving at home! Go to https://www.youtube.com/user/ldvali and get your dance on!

RotaCare Coastside is open for phone visits. Patients can schedule phone visits by calling 650-388-2340. Please leave a message including your name, date of birth, and phone number, and the Clinic Manager will return your call to schedule a telephone encounter.

Senior Planet - Senior Planet is an online resource to help connect seniors to technology through classes, activities and programs. Check them out at https://seniorplanet.org/

Friendship Line - California - Even in these challenging times, friendship is always a phone call away. Discover how the Friendship Line is growing to connect to more Californian seniors. Available 24 hours a day and ready to connect, call (888) 670-1360.

The California Peer-Run Warm Line is a free, non-judgmental, emotional, non-emergency support line that allows people with mental health challenges to talk to a peer who is trained to help. The phone number is (855) 845-7415. Chat is also available at https://www.mentalhealthsf.org/peer-run-warmline/.
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!