Page 62 - Sonoma County Gazette February 2017

Feminism Revisited (Oh, good grief...) Watching the evening news (on three channels that I use to average
Feb 1 - April 13 ~ AARP Tax Service
things out and apply filters), suddenly, right in front of my eyes was a self- defined, female “millennial!” At first glance, she seemed the embodiment of everything I, and a large group of now old bags, fought tooth and nail for in the 60’s and 70’s! Self confident, in-your-face motivated, unabashedly outspoken...
Franklin Park Clubhouse, 2095 Franklin Ave, Santa Rosa Mon-Thurs 9a - 3p, FREE call 707-490-4025
Yet, when the interviewer asked her how she feels about the term “feminist,” the lovely young woman just about came apart at the seams! She was aghast (complete with nearly fetal position body language) and declared she hates the term and would never want to be considered a feminist. YUK.
Senior Ballroom Dance ~ Finley Community Center, 2060 West College Ave, Santa Rosa. 707-543-3737. 1-4p. $8 Admission. 1-4p.
Feb 3 ~ Steve Luther
Feb 10 ~ Tom Shader Trio - Valentines Dance
Feb 17 ~ Manny Gutierrez
Feb 24 ~ Larry Broderick Trio
Senior Santa Rosa Folk Dancers Class -Willowside Hall, 5299 Hall Road, Santa Rosa. Every Thursday 1:00-3:00 p.m. except June - August. Telephone contact 707-546-546 Feb 2 - Feb 9 - Feb 16 - Feb 23
The interview went on from there, exploring just what feminism means -- to her, historically, in terms of impacts on women’s choices, lives and potential, in the workplace, in intimate relationships, concerning women’s rights over their own bodies... the whole litany... blah, blah, blah.
It was amazing how starkly disconnected the young woman was from any authentic sense of where the term came from, how it related to the empowerment she enjoys as a woman – let alone who had fought for her “emancipation!” She looked very uncomfortable with the subject, and it became apparent through the dialog, that feminists to her are simply man- haters!
Every Friday ~ Senior Ballroom Dance Feb 15 ~ Legal Consultaions for Schedule ~ 1 to 4pm at Finley Community
Well, in her very young and uninformed consciousness, why would she even be curious? She’s never been a woman in times before much that she simply takes for granted was either socially forbidden, got you ostracized, got you labeled uppity, was illegal or just proved you must be a Lesbian! (Horrors – not that!)
Seniors and Family Members -1/2 hr. consultations available with elder law attorney, Janice Sternfeld, Consultations for seniors, or their family members, may cover advance health care directives, planning for incapacity, conservatorships, estate planning, wills and trusts, probate, special needs trusts, and public benefits including Medi-Cal and veterans’ benefits. Free 10a-11:30a Call 707-303-1530. .
Feb 17 ~ CareGiver Support Group Starting in Feb This free group is for spouses, children of aging parents or anyone who provides the amazing work of caring for an older adult with a chronic condition such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or other dementias. This group will allow you to express the feelings and frustrations you experience, hear from others and receive some valuable education and support. Richard Miller, LCSW, will facilitate. The group will meet on the 3rd Wednesday of each month, Free - 1:00 - 2:30 pm, Location: JFCS, 1360 N. Dutton, Suite C, Santa Rosa. contact Roger at 707-303-1500. www.seniorsathome.org
Art Journaling Class ~ The Sebastopol Area Senior Center is hosting an art journaling class, scheduled for Wednesday afternoons from 2-3:30 p.m. Art journaling is a combination of drawing, painting, collage, and creative writing.Sebastopol Area Senior Center, 167 N. High St, Sebastopol. sebastopolseniorcenter.org
7th annual calendar is on sale!. Created and photographed by Dean Brittingham, Transportation Coordinator for the Sebastopol Senior Center. For $15 you will be supporting the programs of the Center. On sale at Fircrest Market, Copperfield’s of Sebastopol, Forestville Pharmacy, Sebastopol Hardware, Pacific Market, and at the Sebastopol Area Senior Center a nd our sister store, The Legacy. Order online for $17.55.
Center, 2060 West College Ave. (707) 543- 3737 $8 Admissione Petaluma People Services Cafe. $7 per member, $11 for non-members. 211 Novak Dr, Petaluma.
Volunteers Needed: Caring Connections -Volunteer Visitors Seniors At Home has expanded our older adult visiting program to provide more intensive support to those seniors with a history of mental health issues. Through one-hour weekly visits, volunteers help seniors engage more fully in their communities. As a volunteer, you’ll be working on specific goals to help your client combat isolation, loneliness, and depression. No previous knowledge of working with seniors is required, just an open mind and heart! Training and ongoing support will be provided. Contact Barbara at 707- 303-1510; BarbaraT@jfcs.org.
Volunteers Needed Join the JFCS Rides Program Just a few hours of your time can make a huge difference in the life of a local isolated senior. Help seniors stay connected to their communities by transporting them to appointments, the grocery store, social events, and more. Contact Barbara at 707-303-1510; BarbaraT@jfcs.org.
- If you are 60 & over, live in the West County & need help getting to Medical & Social Service Appointments, Call our Volunteer Driver Transportation Program 5 Business Days in advance of your Appointment. Sebastopol Area Senior Center 167 North High St., Sebastopol (707) 829-2440
Visit our SENIORS online Calendar for events that get listed throughout the month
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Along with the huge mistake of not teaching our children Civics (in many schools), the more I notice our educational profiles, the more I see that our young women aren’t learning our women’s history. Damn...still work to do...
Years ago, while teaching a Women’s History course and workshop in Vancouver, Washington’s Clark College, I had two very telling experiences. One was watching the lengths to which many rural women had to go in order to attend such classes. The other was the rank prejudice that existed among the radical feminists – the ones who gave a bad name to all of us, leading many men to view us as home-wreckers and man-haters.
In that first example, many of those particular rural women were married to ranchers or farmers. Many of their husbands did not want us messing with the minds of their wives or daughters with our ideas about “empowering” women to grow, evolve, seek higher education; i.e., think for themselves and choose to expand their potential. One very angry farmer stormed my class one evening, a hammer in his hand, and literally dragged his wife out the door yelling about what was going to happen when he got her home...
In the second example, I was invited to speak at a big women’s rights meeting held in Portland, sponsored by an organization at the movement’s forefront (and which will remain nameless). I was asked to bring guests for a reserved area. I let them know my list, mixed gender, which included my four children, two and two. No, no, no, they replied! The event was for women only. OOPS!
Rides to Appointments - Sebastopol
Wait a minute, I have sons, and they have a father and uncles and grandpas! This liberation stuff is not just about women! Isn’t it about time men also had some relief from their gender-specific leg irons? My talk addresses both genders! I don’t remember who got to whom first, but they cancelled me and I cancelled them.
Classic Cars & Classic People Calendar ~
So, nameless-young-woman-millennial: It was and is so very much more than simply that minority who (yes) maybe just hate men! Do your homework and for heaven’s sake, do it before you have a daughter!
(I’m getting too old for this...)
62 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 2/17