Page 60 - Sonoma County Gazette - January 2020

Steady On...An old Navy friend used that term, and I have found myself thinking it frequently in the last three years, oftener in recent months. Steady on, he said, implied continuing to move forward, no matter what, while also grappling with whatever challenges your particular “sea” presents.
We have quite a new year looming! Whatever our persuasions may be, political or otherwise, 2020 promises to test us greatly. My intentions will be to try to meet it fairly and squarely, albeit with difficulty, while I try to remember to Steady on...
Jan 6-27 ~ Free Bingocize for Older Adults ~ Bingo combined with simple exercises for falls prevention. Free, 1-2p, Burbank Heights and Orchards, 7777 Bodega Hwy, Sebastopol, 707-565-7321, Autumn Buss, abuss@schsd.org
I do not recall a political climate as damaging to associations, individuals, friendships and even family relations as the one launched by our current administration. Supporter or adversary, the passions have reached an intensity that seems unique to me. In the “Big Picture” (if one can force oneself to
Free Rides for Seniors ~ by WCCS. Pick up RR Senior Center, RR Health Center & Monte Rio & Forestville. Call 707-823-1640 x140
pause long enough to consider it) I see a huge need to consider the philosophy of Steady on, and a huge need to measure one’s choices against reckless acceleration or action.
Leadership on both sides of the political battlefields seems to be damned if they do and damned if they don’t either hurry up or slow down! Steady on doesn’t advocate either. Rather, I take it to simply suggest self-grounding, a try for an open mind, a rejection of recklessness ... and the like.
Happy New Year? Gosh; I hope so. I am speculating on what it will look like. In my mid 80’s, of course, the first thing that would make it happy for me would be to maintain my health and, well, still be around! Along with wanting everything good and safe and happy for those I love, I worry about what those I love will have of Country and Environment twenty and thirty years from now when I am long gone!
So, how can any of us best steer that Steady On thing? How can each
of us best manage it for those future twenty and thirty years looming? I
know several cynics (a few worse than me!) whose futuristic philosophies amount to: It doesn’t matter. It never has. None of this matters. It never
will. That’s where it begins and ends for many. My cynicism just isn’t that all encompassing!
Aside from the splash and boom of Times Square at midnight (and its clones all over our nation, as time zone after time zone follows), ushering in the new year gets to all of us in one way or another. (Even the deniers – who prove my point by denying!) We all kind of look at January 1 as another chance to start over, with a clean slate; well, maybe just a new slate!
I was talking a few days ago with a fellow political junkie who was wondering if he could put aside his anxiety, anger, disappointment, etc., and actually try to start off 2020 with an open mind and a more positive attitude. He said it would involve trust, and he finds it almost impossible to trust our leaders anymore. (I didn’t offer anything. I have my own challenges!)
I think my friend’s dilemma is all around us; I do not think he is alone. Usually, the cock-eyed optimist in me manages to push through and past the cynic in me. I dig deep into the integrity that I know lies in our Constitution and I cheer myself up by trusting that.
I guess that’s my New Year wish to you: Try for trust, and Steady on...
Zoë Tummillo is a Business & Marketing Consultant/Trainer/Commercial Writer, dba COMMUNICATION CONCEPTS, in private practice since 1974. In addition to Commercial work, she writesSenior Momentum: A Series of Situations; “Pieces of My Path. essay memoirs of growing up first-generation Italian American; andSenior Momentum: Front And Center!. Email Zoë at writingservice@earthlink.net
Sebastopol Area Senior Center 167 N. High St.Sebastopol, 707-829-2440, sebastopolseniorcenter.org
Jan 7, Jan 21 ~ LegalAid: Elder Law Outreach - Legal services for adults, ages 55+. Priority will be given to seniors with limited resources. The services are free of charge. By appointment only; call 707-340-5610. Donations always welcome!
Jan 10, 17 & 24 ~ Cannabis & Seniors - a 3-part Series presented by SolFul. Registration Required. 707-929-2440. Members $8, Non-Members $10.
Jan 16 ~ Frauds, Scams & Other Abuse - How to protect yourself presented by Senior Advicat services. RSVP Required 707-989-2440. 1 to 3p.
Feb 1 ~ Building Blocks: the new retirement with Joan Tabb. 12:30-2:30. Members: $20; Non-Members: $25. RSVP required: call 707-829-2440, Register by January 27. All participants receive a signed copy of Joan’s book which will be used in class.
SHARE Sonoma County Home Sharing Program to provide affordable housing and help seniors “age in place”. 2nd and 4th Mondays, 10 a to 4 p. Call 707-766-8800 to schedule your appointment to meet and discuss home sharing options.
Insurgent Writing Group ~ Tuesdays at 10a. Any type of writing is welcome. Wisdom Counts Members, FREE; Non-Members, Day Use Fee, $5. Donations always welcome!
Blood Pressure and Glucose Screening - 3rd Thursdays, 11a to 12 p *when volunteers are available. Call ahead 707-829-2440 FREE
Rides To Appointments ~ community based, volunteer program provides rides to medical and social service appointments to people 60 and over from the West County areas, CALL 707-829-2440 for a ride or to volunteer.
Jan 10-31 ~ Senior Ballroom/Line-Dancing with Band ~ Senior Ballroom/Line- dancing. $9 non-member, 1-4p, Finley Auditorium, 2060 West College Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-543-3737
Jan 16 - May 14 ~ Aging Gayfully! ~ Opportunity for LGBT elders to connect & share aging experiences & concerns. Free, $3 Use-Fee for Non-Members, 11-1p, Finley Center Person Senior Wing, 2060 West College Ave, Santa Rosa
Rides to Medical and Social Services Appointments ~ 311 North Main Street, Cloverdale, 707-894-4826 Elizabeth, cloverdaleseniorcenter.com
Russian River Senior Resource Center 15010 Armstrong Woods Road, Guerneville, 707-823-1640, westcountyservices.org
Thru - Feb 25 ~ Mindful Balance Class ~ Gentle yoga class geared toward older adults. $5-10, 11:30a-12:30p
Senior Dining Sites Council on Aging 30 Kawana Springs Rd, Santa Rosa, 707-525-0143. 60 and over Donation of $4.00 Reservation must be made 24 hours in advance Cloverdale Mon-Fri ~ 12p, Cloverdale Multipurpose Center, 311 N. Main St. 707-525-0383 Healdsburg Mon-Fri ~ 11a, Healdsburg Senior Center, 133 Matheson St., 707-525-0383 Sebastopol Mon-Fri ~ 11a, Sebastopol Senior Center, 167 High St., 707-525-0383
Santa Rosa Mon-Fri ~ 11a, Silvercrest Senior Housing, 1050 Third St., 707-525-4487 Healdsburg Mon, Tue, Wed ~ 11a, St. Paul’s Church, 209 Matheson St. 707-433-6161 Rohnert Park Mon-Fri ~ 11a, RP Senior Center, 6800 Hunter Drive, Ste. A, 707-525-0383 Santa Rosa Mon-Fri ~ 12p, Bethlehem Tower, 801 Tupper, 707-525-0383
Santa Rosa Mon, Tue ~ 12p, United Methodist Church, 2150 Giffen Ave 707-525-0143 x103 Sebastopol Mon, Wed, Fri ~ 12p, Sebastopol Senior Center, 167 High St, 707-829-2440, ext. 6 Guerneville Wed, Fri ~ 12-2p, Russian River Senior Ctr., 15010Armstrong Wioods Rd. Sonoma Tue, Thu ~ 12p, Jerry Casson Senior Center, 264 First St. E. 707-996-1414
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