Page 56 - Sonoma County Gazette - May, 2018

What Can Just One Do?
By Date
May 2, 4, 9, 11,16,18, 23, 25 ~ A Matter of Balance - Fall prevention, promoting strength, flexibility and balance. Free 2:15p - 3p, Sebastopol Regional Library, 7140 Bodega Ave, 707-565-5936, Dana Jacoby, mob@schsd.org. mob@schsd.org
May 3 ~ Comprehensive Planning for Dementia or Illness - FREE, 1p - 2:30p, RSVP, Sonoma County YMCA, 1111 College Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-545-9622
May 3 ~ Singles Seniors Social - FREE, 5p-6:30p, Aqus Cafe Foundry Wharf, 189 H St., Petaluma, 707-778-6060, info@aquscafe. com
Senior Social Clubs
Santa Rosa Senior Social Club ~ First United Methodist Church, 2150 Giffen, Santa Rosa Mon., Wed., and Fri. from 9:30- 2p.
Sonoma Senior Social Club ~ Vintage House, 264 First St. E., Sonoma - Tues. and Thur. from 9:30-2p.
Healdsburg Senior Social Club ~ St. Paul’s Church, 209 Matheson St., Healdsburg Mon., Tues., and Wed. from 9:30-2. Roxanne Lemereis at 707-433-6161.
Sebastopol Senior Social Club ~ Sebastopol Senior Center, 167 No. High St, Sebastopol, Mon., Wed. and Fri. from 9:30- 2p.
Senior Dining Sites
Council on Aging, 30 Kawana Springs Rd., Santa Rosa, 707-525-0143. Contact Laurel Anderson at 707-525-0143 ext. 103, atlanderson@councilonaging.com.
Santa Rosa ~ Bethlehem Tower, 801 Tupper, Santa Rosa; Margeret DeMaria, 707-525-0143 M,W 12p; First United Methodist Church 2150 Giffen Ave (Senior Social Club), Santa Rosa; Laurel Anderson, 707-525-0143 Mon-Fri 12p; Silvercrest Senior Housing ~ 1050 Third St., Santa Rosa; Margeret DeMaria, 707-525-0143
Cloverdale ~ Mon-Fri 12p; Cloverdale Multipurpose Senior Center, 311 North Main St., Valerie Leitz, 707-525-0143
Healdsburg ~ Mon-Fri 12p; Healdsburg Senior Center, 133 Matheson St., Bea Amaya, 707-525-0143 M,T,W 12p; St. Paul’s Church, 209 Matheson St., Healdsburg; Roxanne Lemereis, 707-525-0143
Rohnert Park ~ Mon-Fri 12p; Rohnert Park Senior Center, 6800 Hunter Drive, Ste. A, Rohnert Park; Rod Holck, 707-525-0143 Santa RosaMon-Fri 12p;
Sebastopol ~ Mon-Fri 11-1p; Sebastopol Senior Center, 167 High St., Terri Condon, 707-525-0143 M,W,F 12p; $7 Under 60; $4 Voluntary donation over 60
One of the best resources I have found for staying on top of environmental impact issues is the New York Times Newsletter “Climate Forward:” One of its best features is the approach it takes on “What You Can Do”—from a very personal, individual perspective. It is crammed with facts, legitimate studies and a ton of statistics. That might make some folks yawn... but the practical presentation of facts in conjunction with actionable corollaries is, I think, sensible, workable and interesting.
“Climate Forward:” is a benefit I mention just because of the value of the network. One connection leads to another, then another. Most with whom I discuss such stuff also have “networks” that spring from some preferred base to an outreach in that base’s sphere of interest and influence. This one is a real treasure. And the Internet makes it all so easy!
The challenge concerning what one person can do – for the health of our environment—is an important discussion, and one that must include our young children! It appears so daunting to some that they allow the frustration to foster inaction. The issues seem so huge, so awful, so out of control and so fraught with ambiguity that some convince themselves that there’s no use in trying. While I can understand the frustration, to me it is often just a big excuse that probably helps rationalize away “small” abuses as so inconsequential as to not matter at all.
What bothers me the most when I encounter that position and attitude happens to fall on point to the suggested theme for this May 2018 issue of our Gazette: Parenting the Next Generation. How can we effectively guide our kids into caring for the sustainability of our planet when it is a concept many intelligent adults blow off as a “not-to-worry.” Denial concerning climate change seems incredible. Explaining to our children things that some see as futile, requires first a belief in the solutions we ourselves. Many feel helpless in the face of huge environmental issues like how many tons of food are wasted, the impact of garbage on wildlife, the poison of fuel emissions and the strange shifts in the Seasons.
There are many old adages one could cite that I guess were intended to teach us to value the factor and power of “one”—a little goes a long way; a single vote
is important; waste not want not; every little bit counts, little drops of water and little grains of sand make the mighty ocean and the (something) land...etc., etc. Parents
who are activists teach by example. I know from my own parenting years, that those lessons move forward in their adult lives. When mine were very young and we were at the park, for instance, the ticket into the van heading home, was at least one piece of litter, not ours, to be put in the trash receptacle! Taking the youngsters with you to the polls—worth its weight in gold concerning their future attitudes.
My personal patterns are so ingrained that, for instance, I can’t even remember when I began to divide ridiculously large meal portions in restaurants. (If I don’t want it later, my Ravens will eat anything!) Recycling, conservation and other efforts for environmental health are not new concepts, and it is profoundly simple the many things one person can do. Most important in the parenting of the next generation, I believe, is teaching our children and grandchildren in simple but accurate ways, at so young an age that they don’t remember when they learned it!
May 11 ~ Social Media for Seniors
- - FREE, 11-12:30p, Windsor Regional Library, 9291 Old Redwood Hwy, Building 100, Windsor, 707-838-1020, sonomacounty. libcal.com/event/3887697
May 14 ~ Medicare 101 - Enrollment dates, costs, coverage and options for supplement plans. FREE, 1:30p, Sebastopol Regional Library, 7140 Bodega Ave.,707-823-7691, sonomalibrary.org/
May 17 ~ Keys to Driving Safer and Driving Longer - Russian River Senior Center, 15010 Armstrong Woods Rd., Guerneville, 707-869-0618
May 23 ~ Awakening to Aging - Author talk with Myrtle Heery - FREE, 10:30 -12p, Petaluma Regional Library, 100 Fairgrounds Dr., 707-776-6055, villagenetworkofpetaluma.org/, info@ VillageNetworkofPetaluma.org
Rides to Medical and Social Services
Free for members of the Senior Center, Cloverdale Senior Community Center, 311 North Main St., Cloverdale, 707-894-4826, cloverdaleseniorcenter.com/, Elizabeth elizabeth@cloverdaleseniorcenter.com
AARP Tax-Aide Tax Clinic - Mondays (not on 5/28) - Help for seniors and others who have other tax-related questions. FREE, Appt. only. 9:45a, 11a and 12:15a, Franklin Park Clubhouse, 2095 Franklin Ave, Santa Rosa, 707-327-2401
Sebastopol Area Senior Center
167 N. High St.Sebastopol, 707-829-2440, sebastopolseniorcenter.org
May 3 ~ TED Talks - Lively discussions, and big ideas. $5, FREE for members, 2-3:30p
May 11 ~ Mothers Day Brunch - Brunch and Dessert prepared by Council on Aging, live music. $4 suggested donation, 11-1p
May 14,21,28 ~ Spring Book Discussion Series - Healthy Aging by Dr. Andrew Weil. $5, FREE for members, 2:30-4p May 16 ~ Surviving and Thriving - Manage stress, $5, FREE for members, 3:20p
May 18 ~ Speaking of Death - Where friends meet, drink tea, and share in these matters.$5, FREE for members, 3:30-5p
May 23, 30 ~ Murder Mystery Writing Workshop - $25-$35, 11-12:15p
May 26 ~ Driven to Perfection - Classic Car Show and Cruise. $7, 10-3p
May 29, ~ Art History Lecture - Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. $8-$30, 1-2:30P
Blood Pressure and Glucose Testing - Every 3rd Thurs. by students from the Empire College medical training program. Mornings, call for details.
Rides To Appointments - Call Volunteer Driver Transportation Program 5 business days in advance of your appt, 707-829-2440 or dean@sebastopolseniorcenter.org
Zoë Tummillo is a Business & Marketing Consultant, Trainer and Commercial Writer, dba COMMUNICATION CONCEPTS and Writing Service, in private practice. SENIOR MOMENTUM: A Series of Situations!© Zoë Tummillo To contact her: email: writingservice@earthlink.net.
Zoë Tummillo has been writing her Senior wisom and perspective for the Gazette for years. If you want to read more of her insights, please visit our website at SonomaCountyGazette.com for archives of previous srticle.
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