Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 341

Santa Rosa, CA 95401

Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 341

Santa Rosa, CA 95401 Why I Donate: Carl Vast ...............page 4

Maintenance ..................................

....page 5

Senior Center Highlights ..............page 6

Crossword & Sudoku .....................page 7

Save the Date ..................................

..page 8

SONOMA SENIORS

30 Kawana Springs RoadSanta Rosa, CA 5404

COUNCIL ON AGINGJanuary 2013

Santa Rosa Community Health CentersInclusive family health care, from birth to old ageby Bonnie Allen

Ann Onufrak, a vibrantly healthy woman in her seventies, found herself increasingly short of breath. The situation

got worse, until she could only walk a few steps before being too exhausted to go further. Finally, she had to face down her long-standing distrust of doctors and call for help. She told receptionists of the first two doctors she called that she was on Medicare and then waited for a call back. The call never came.

That’s when her mother said, “Why don’t you go to my doctor?” And that’s when she discovered Santa Rosa Community Health Centers (SRCHC), a constellation of eight health centers that provide primary health care, health education, and preventive care for over 40,000 underserved people in Santa Rosa.

Dr. Bo Greaves, Onufrak’s mother’s doctor of 20 years, joined the Vista Family Health Center as its Medical Director when it opened in 2010. Dr. Greaves said that his first goal when he met Ann was to ensure that she felt safe and comfortable. “I wanted her to know that we were going to work together to get her well.” Dr. Greaves said.

From there, Onufrak’s health needs were fast-tracked. Dr. Greaves returned her call the day she made it, and saw her the next day. He and others on Ann’s health care team facilitated chest x-rays and a blood test that revealed severe anemia, and the following day she received three units of blood.

“That night I felt so good I went out to dinner with my girlfriends and ate like I hadn’t eaten in two months.”

Further tests revealed that colon cancer was causing the blood loss, and by the middle of June she was recovering from cancer surgery. The surgery was so successful that she decided to forgo just-in-case chemotherapy and go with a schedule of follow-up tests to monitor her situation.

“The point is that I had a physician who followed through on everything. Dr. Greaves sent me to the right doctors—people he has known over the years that he trusted. The surgeon made me feel I could trust him right from the beginning.”

So many doctors, says Onufrak, treat seniors

“like they’re ready to go out to pasture. They treat us like we’re children. Like we’re ignorant.” At the Vista Family Health Center, “They’re not going to make you feel like you’re less than a human being.”

The Centers accept patients on Medicare, Medi-Cal, other public insurance plans or no insurance at all, using an income-based sliding scale for those with no insurance. Dr. Greaves explains, “We really believe that older adults and our elders deserve the best health care we can offer, regardless of their ability to pay. Primary and preventive health care becomes increasingly important as we age, and we want to make sure that everyone in our community can access the care they need to optimize their health through the golden years.” Dr. Greaves further notes that preventive care is now covered by Medicare.

Services available through SRCHC include:Comprehensive primary care•Preventive care and education•Guidance for healthy aging•Fall prevention•Disease prevention•Chronic pain management•End of life care•Behavioral and mental health service• sNursing advice and support•

Onsite specialty clinics include: Dermatology•Integrative medicine•HIV service• sNeurology•Rheumatology•Endocrinology•Podiatry•Optometry•Acupuncture•Diabetes education•

Those who come for care are welcomed

warmly and treated as people. “At Vista, a greeter at the door,” says Onufrak, “welcomes you and asks you if you need any help. When you leave, he tells you to have a good day. Every person that you deal with there is extremely friendly.”

Santa Rosa Community Health Centers began as Southwest Community Health Center in 1996 with the goal of providing accessible, affordable primary health care for underserved people of all ages in southwest Santa Rosa. The health center was established with the help of the Sisters of St. Joseph and Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, and over time has grown to include the eight sites operated by Santa Rosa Community Health Centers. Three of these sites provide care for seniors: the original Southwest Community Health Center (limited to patients who live in Roseland and downtown), Vista Family Health Center, where Ann receives her care, and the Brookwood Health Center. Vista is also the home of the nationally recognized Santa Rosa Family Medicine Residency, where 36 young physicians spend 3 years learning to be the excellent family physicians of the future. These residents, their faculty, and other providers work side by side at Vista providing great care to their patients.

For Onufrak, 74, renewed health means she can continue her daily walks, visit with friends and care for her 95-year-old mother who lives next door in her Cotati condo complex. She also plays an active role in the lives of her grandchildren, and is considering returning to work as well.

For more information visit srhealthcenters.org/senior-health or contact one of the sites directly:

Vista Family Health Center: 707-303-3600, ext. 551 (This is a special line for seniors)

Southwest Community Health Center: English 303-3198, Spanish 303-3195

Brookwood Health Center: 583-8700, walk-in care and appointments are both available

Ann Onufrak and Dr. Bo Greaves

Photo by Megan Rhodes

Sonoma County Integrative Physician and Yoga Instructor

page 2 ◆ January 2013 Sonoma Seniors Today

30 Kawana Springs RoadSanta Rosa, CA 95404

707-525-0143 • 800-675-0143Fax 707-525-0454

www.councilonaging.com

PreSident and CeO Marrianne McBride

BOard OF direCtOrSJeff Beeson, Chair

Corrine Lorenzen, Vice ChairBonnie Burrell, Dena Lash, Chuck McPherson,

Jeanne Miskel, John Pearson, Kathy Pinkard, John Reyes, Deborah Roberts,

Debby Roumbanis and David Vicini

editor: Bonnie Allen, (707) 763-2544

SonomaSeniorstoday@gmail.com

Contributors: Bonnie Allen, Marcia Singer, Gabrielle Trubach

Proofreading assistance: Steve Della Maggiora

distribution Manager: Stacee Shade

advertising & Subscriptions:Kerrie Kennedy, 525-0143, ext. 112 kkennedy@councilonaging.com

Sonoma Seniors Today is a publication of Council on Aging, 30 Kawana Springs Road,

Santa Rosa, CA 95404, (707) 525-0143 information@councilonaging.com

www.councilonaging.com

Sonoma Seniors Today strives to share a variety of viewpoints on subjects of interest to a broad range of its readership. Opinions and viewpoints expressed by contributors and those interviewed for articles do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Council on Aging. Readers are invited to share their ideas, opinions and viewpoints by writing to this publication. Suggestions for improving this publication are given careful consideration, and letters to the editor are welcomed. Photographs may also be submitted.

Editor’s note: Publication of all material is at the dis-cretion of the editor; originals become the property of SST and cannot be returned. Mail all submissions to Sonoma Seniors Today c/o Council on Aging, 30 Kawana Springs Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404, or email to SonomaSeniorsToday@gmail.com.

All rights reserved.© 2013 Council on Aging

Sonoma Seniors Todaypublished monthly by

SST Subscriptions Make GREAT Gifts (especially for yourself)A portion of each Sonoma Seniors Today subscription will go toward providing senior services. And your gift keeps giving through the year. Mail this form with check for $24 (1 year, 12 issues) or $12 (6 months, 6 issues), payable to Council on Aging, to: SST Subscriptions, c/o Council on Aging, 30 Kawana Springs Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404.

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City__________________________ State/Zip_________ Date ___________________For additional subscriptions, please use a separate sheet of paper.

Readers: Is there a topic you’d like to see discussed in Sonoma Seniors Today? Send your suggestions to Sonoma Seniors Today, Council on Aging, 30 Kawana Springs Rd, Santa Rosa 95404; email sonomaseniorstoday@gmail.com or call 763-2544.

Council on Aging Mission Statement: To enhance the quality of life for Sonoma County’s aging community by providing

services that promote well-being and maintain independence.

Needed: a proactive and interested person, age 65 or older, who resides in the Piner-Olivet School District, to serve on the District’s Bond Oversight Committee. Contact Roger Lueck at 570-5090

Volunteer Opportunity

Like us on !We’d like as many of you to be friends as possible. Add your name to the 369 friends we already have. To find us, go to your Facebook page and type “Council on Aging” in the search window at the top. Not a Facebook member? It’s easy and free to sign up. Go to www.facebook.com and follow the directions to set up your home page.

Sonoma Seniors Today January 2013 ◆ page 3

Council on Aging DonorsMany thanks and to our generous donors who made gifts to Council on Aging’s programs and to our Holiday Appeal, November 9 through December 7, 2012

HOLIDAY APPEAL: GEnErAL FunD

$1000–$2000Carmen McReynolds Dulsto Properties

$500–$999L.C. Tavis or E.L DaumDiane O’NealJames and Lu SchultzSonoma Produce MarketingThe Beverage PeopleJeff and Jill WesselkamperMary Michael and Serge

Zimberoff

$250–$499Doris AakerNorman and Susan AmidonWilliam Spaulding and

Kathryn BrungardtCarol and Ren BuzziniCorvettes of Sonoma CountyJim A. DolinsekMarjorie C. FosterMark and Judith GiampaoliEleanor R. GriffinBarbara and Walter GruberPhyllis HarrisGrace T. ImokawaGreggory P. KahlerKenneth and Victoria RinerDavid and Linda SchneiderCheryl SchultzJeanne F. SchulzThe Bard Family FundThe Codding FoundationLoren and Elyce VollLoren and Carol Wicklund

$100–$249Maynard and Karen E.

AlbertsonGene AndersonJames and Lee AveryGail and Allison BakerVictor De BeckDeborah L. BeecherLaura and Allan BernsteinNathalie J. BohnJennie and David BowerHarriet BoysenGreg and Cheryl BraswellLee CamfieldLouise V. CanfieldDiane S. Colby and Michael

S. SmithBernadette ComptonConstellation Brands, Inc.Nancy CooperRich CorwinRalph CurranDeDe’s RentalsJoseph and Carol DePondMarcia DaPontNancy DillJames H. Doe, Sr.Starle DriscollMichael H. and Ila L. ErvinJudith Farina-WellerGary and Debra FarrellMillie Ferro

Kenneth and Janet FooteHelen and Jacob FosterElizabeth FrickeArlene and Jerry FritschSusan Gadbois and Charlotte

SchatzGerard and Susan GloistenLoie Sauer and Daniel GoldfieldDennis and Meridith GoodrowRobert and Lucile GradySteve and Robin GrayLawrence and Dorothy HarperVictoria Arguello HarrisGeorge and Laura JohnsonRichard and Danielle JonesJim KaumeyerGreg KennisonRon Nagy and Cheryl Klein-

NagyJohn and Virginia A. KraftTerry KremesecJeff and Roberta KundeMark LeonardHsien H. and Ah Kiu LingJerry Z. and June A. LongPeter and Carol LucicRon and Gail MakaraGladys M. MatovichRoger and L. Joyce McKeayRick Meechan, Esq.Martha L. Gustafson and James

MooreKathleen A. MouatCharles and Glee MurphyMarie MurphyJune NewtonPat and Elman PachecoMichael PanasMark C. ParnellGary PendersKenneth and Nancy PetersenMr. and Mrs. Alan Y. PhinneyWinnifred PiccoloMarjorie and Stanley PierceJames E. PurtellCarrie E. ReedSandra R. ReynoldsSigvard and Mary Louise

RichardsonSophia and John RickettsDonald and Betty Ann RobertsMarcy and James RusseyJoyce SaydahDiana SchaeferKaren A SchladweilerMarion and Daniel SchoenfeldTrudy SimontonDaphne W. SmithRobert SpencerCatherine M. StallmanStems Floral DesignJohn and Jane StuppinCarolyn SzwedC. J. ThomsonRoy ThylinJeff TippDavid C. TraversiJohn TravinskyRandall and Laura VerniersRodney K. WeathersAngela Scheihing and Bill

WeidmanDanny and Janie WhiteheadAlbert and Barbara WilfordCarl and Donna WiuffThomas and Kathy WoodvilleRichard E. Wright

Barbara YortonBarbara J. Zapf

$1–$99Jack L. AhoFrieda and Kenneth AlbrightDee AlmanzoKate AlvesLisa Amaroli-StriflerJo Ann AmbrosiniRobert AmendJudy A. AnastasiaAnonymousThomas ArmstrongVerne and Nonie AvilaRichard and Mary AzevedoWilliam BabulaSusan and Stephen BackmanIrmgard E. BagshawVivian E. BallouThomas BasilePatrick and Helen Bauer-

McMahonEdith BeachJoseph and Karen BeallRobert & Edna BeedleTimothy and Martha BellJames BenidtLester and Evelyn BennettBob Jordan and Jennifer

Bennett-JordanWilliam and Rosemary BerginAnna BernierPaul and Yael BernierDonna E. BertagnolliMarlene J. BertramLavelle L. BevacquaBarbara BlairPerry L. BlairDorothy BlakeNeil and Heidi A.BlazeyHelen and Brad BlodowAbby L. BogomolnyWilliam Roger BoormanWalter E. BoryczewskiPatte BosioEleanor BowenBruce and Billye BradleyHelen Bradley and Michelle

ZimmermanKelly and Teresa BradleyMary BrandtOra and Yvonne L. BransonCarolee BreazealeLynnette and Jeffrey BrendelWesley and Martha BrooksMalcolm and Gwen BrownSharon BrownJuanita J. BrownleeAngela BruntonGloria BrusnahanRitchie and Marcia BurkartOliver and Carole BurnsPam BurnsRobert and Jackie ButterworthLee CabanasWilliam CampanaDan and Dorothy CanetArthur CarpenterGregory and Cynthia CarrJanice CarrMary P. CarrollDavid R. CarteeJack CaslinRobin and Duane ChaseRussell CheaThomas M. Chelini

MEMOrIAL GIFts

BEquEst

In Memory of Carol MartinWilliam and Lynn Dorsey

Scott Miedema

In Memory of Jack MacLeanMary Reilly

Alice Marie Hudson Trust

Evelyn & Paul Christensen IIIDonald and Gloria ChristiePeter and Mary ChristieWayne and Shirley ClarkMichael ClementiJoseph ClendeninRuth C. CoddingtonGary and Lea CoffmanGloria Camilli- ColemanLouis ColombanoHonora and F. Kevin

ConnollyDon ConnollyJerome and Kathy CowanBettie L. CrandallLisa DeMartini CrawfordLouise CrawfordLinda L. CudlinRobert & Kathleen CurleyJack and Florence CurtisJim E. CurtisMrs. F. B. DalmerJohn DavenportBetty DavidsonFred J. DavidsonNorma DavisReed and Julie DavisRich and Sharon

DeBenedettiMarjorie DennettVera DenteDonald and Renee DeorseyCharles J. D’ErricoDavid and Sally A. DewaldDon Di LelioSaul J. DiamondThomas DickeyJames H. Doe Jr.Michael and Maureen DolceLinda Mc DonaldBarbara N. DouglasJean DowningBarbara DoyleLinda DrewesGail Dubinsky SpielmanJoan E. EdwardsAnneliese EggertIrene R. EggletonMichele and Larry EichnerBruce ElliottKathleen A. EmeryNancy Lee EstesDonna FabianoYvette Marie FallandyJames and Rachel FallonChandra FarnsworthDonald FarriesThomas and Mary FeigeLeslie FisherNyla FleigVictor and Dorothy FormanekGeorge L. FranceschiniTeresa FranklinHelene and Duane FrederickNatalie FriedmanBessie H. FullerWilliam and Susan FunkJames FurmanLarry and Karen Furukawa-

SchlerethAmy B. GannonRobert & Moria GardnerStephen GayScott and Martha GeigerRosalind GiannecchiniAnnette GoochDale R. Goode

Gregory E. GordonCoy J. GoreGeraldine GottbrathDan and Diane GoulartMarguerite and James GrayRick GroffGregg and Jeanne GrubinDoris and Ralph GuyonDavid HagueMargaretha and Robert

HamerschlagGary C. HansfordMark and Jeannine HarrisJeff and Gwen HarrisonKurt and Marlina HarrisonDarryl HartMary HeeneyJaneen A. and John H. HellerShirley HepburnLloyd and Joanne HerrodEdith M. HillJeanine R. HillmanCarol HintzeDoris HobinMary Louise HockingCharles B.and Sara J. HoeferPeter W. HoganMarlene HogdenPhyllis HooverWayne HorowitzCharles and Melissa HoseyLoren and Lorrel HovlandMarie HowarthBill HuebschDavid and Kelley HunterLisellotte and Stephen HydeInner HarmonyCarl JacksonM. Susan JacobyRobert L. and Marcia Ann

JenkinsClaude Henriette JohnsonWilliam and Cheryl JohnsonJames and Rose Ostrowski-

JonesRobert and Jill JonesLisa A. JoslenElayne KahnRichard and April KahnbergMichele & Christopher KangasClarence and Sandra KatesDaniel C. KennerJohn and Kathryn KidwellPeggy KinworthyChristin E. KostoffMarilyn KramerBarbara and David KristofBeverly KruseJames and Mrs. James

KubickaMaria KuesterRobin KundeRory La GrottaCarole LansdownTerry and Karen LarsonWarren and Marjorie LarsonBarbara Lynne LawrenceDavid T. Hughes and Kim

LedesmaJudith LevyCraig and Melinda LewisHoward and Suzanne LimoliHarry and Janet LinderMaxine LindseyBob and M. Margaret LoreyMargy and Francis LoughranCharlotte LowreyRobert and Dana LozanoInge LuizBarbara LynchStephen MacholMr.and Mrs. George MadsenRonald G. MakabeHomer and Helene Malaby, Jr.Lawrence and Nancy MalonAl and Blanche MansoorMaryelyn MarcusKen MarkhamConnie and Bruce MartinLawrence C. and Ruth A.

MartinLucinda A. MartinFred and Deby Marvel

Dena M. MayfieldAnne and Sal M. McAbataVicki McCartneyMichael McClungStacey McCormickLynn McGarveyJacqueline A. McGuckinPaulette and James McHughMark and Valerie McKameyEugenia Lea McKenzieGloria and Robert McKusick Sr.Thomas and Dorothy McNuttAnna McPeckGary and Mary MeagherJohn J. MergetBrunhilde G. MerrillHilda E. and Henry M. MetzEugene and Carole A. MichelGabor MiklosMichael A. and Karen A. MillerAnthony MineerJeanne M. MinnisBo-Bette MinsonJeanne MooreGenaro MunizJoseph and Gloria MenchiniRamakrishna and Christina

NadendlaKenneth Y. NakagawaKathleen NeilsenViolet NelsonHobart NelsonLaurina and Stanley NelsonEdith R. NewsomeDuane and Ursula NibblettOakmont TravelCharles and Lora ObergfellTeri and Michael O’DonnellMarian O’LaughlinKelly O’NeillNancy O’NeillPedro and Julia OrtizJudith Ann OsieckiDiane C. OstenPersis OvertonOxford Construction IncH. Scott and Diana J. PartridgeDennis and JoAnn PaulDennis and Patricia PaulsonJoseph Pete PearsonShirley M. PecoreHenry and Angie PeraLawrence and Pauline PerkinsMary Joan Hawley and James

PetersonWilliam and Margaret PfefferDiane and Stuart PfisterDiane PintaneGina PlumbFrank and Jonnee PodestaJoan PorterJohn PotterGeorge and Cheryll PowersGary A. PrattMary PriestVirginia R. PropstJeanene PughAnne QuiliciNoel QuinnBarbara RaffertySusan RandallGary and Paula RavaniKathleen RenzGeorge and Mary ReynoldsEldon N. RichVardon RichardsonWilliam and Sue RobbinsDouglas A. RobertsDr. Gregory and Kathleen RosaTed and Janet RosshirtSandra M. RossoClaire RoussanCharlene R. RundstromAmanda RussellCalvin and Sybil RussellRobert D. RyanLori and Christopher RyanPatricia and Eugene RyanJames and Judy SannarJames and Patricia SartainCharles P. and Carolyn C.

SassenrathContinued on page 4

page 4 ◆ January 2013 Sonoma Seniors Today

Irma and Charles SchelterJoan SchloetterElizabeth SchmidtMadalynn and Larry SchmidtBernice SchmittBetty L. SchnabelMel and Miyoko SchuldtDavid C. ScottBetty SeacordJudith SearsMarc W. Seeley, C.E.G.Elvera and Frank SeghesioAlice and Geroge SelivanoffGladys SequistHanlon’s Complete Cabinet

ServiceBarbara ShandTrish and Peter ShapiroLinda J. ShermanJohn F. and Beth M. ShieldsJames ShotwellMr.and Mrs Daniel M. SienesMary Ann SilveiraWilliam and Diane SilveiraJoan R. SilverShirley SilverLynn SimeoneRobert W. SinaiKaren SirokyLinda SiskindEdith SmithCathleen SmithEdgar F. SmithLeo and Ella Rose SmithRichard and Emilee SmithSteven J. SmithH. SnowDavid and Irene SohmChoi Ling SpellacyPhilip K. and Pamela K. StaleyEdward and Joan SteigerMarilyn StockflethMary StricklinHarry and Ellen Sullivan, Jr.Marilyn SwansonIlene TannerJoan Leslie TaylorWilliam and Pat ThomasDean and Christen ThompsonStanley and Verna ThomsenJohn TierneyRick and Wendy TignerAugustine and Otis TippitBeverly Totemeier

Joyce A. TracyS TraversoWallace and Anne TrujilloGil TullyMartha C. TurnerMichael and Sandra TurnerElinor and John TwohyHerbert or Francesca TyrnauerAdolf and Sarra TyutinmanMr.& Mrs. Ronald UchytilDavid L ValenteGloria Van CleaveEric and Virginia VetterJoseph and Donna VetterSally WallTim & Robin WannSylvia WassonBarbara J. WedingRichard Welin and Gerrye

PayneEtheline WellmanLinda WilkinsonDavid and Marilyn WilliamsThomas R. WilsonAlan and Susan WintermeyerMerlyn and Donna WintonCharlotte WoodworthMelitta WrightWilliam WrobelBehrouz YadegarDenny YaegerWilliam and Patricia YatesHoward A. and Joanna B.

YoungGust and Marian ZagoritesCarol and Louis ZanardiPamela ZimmermanJoy L. ZindellCarol J. Zootis

HOLIDAY APPEAL:MEALs On WHEELs

$100–$500Warren and Gerene BeavertKathryn BorowiczWesley BrubacherDonald Phillip FlowersRuth Hansell

George JonesJames and E. Lynne JoyceBest Wishes LLCSusan P. MelvinShirley MerrillHeloise StewartTelecom PioneersMargaret and Martin TerschurenUnited Airlines Redwood

Empire RetireesIrene Young – MOW

HealdsburgLaura Zink

$1–$99David and Elizabeth CovertMary DreyerDonald GardinaThelma GroomJ. Bernard and Clare HagenDonald and Yvonne HumphreyBarbara LesterChance MassaroWilliam and Winifred MedinGary and Suzanne NelsonChristos and Jacqueline

PantazesMark L. PedroiaDan and Rita ReiEmma SheltonPat StanleyMarlene Ulrich

MEALs On WHEELs

$1000Angels Attic Thrift ShopGrant from the Mabel Horrigan

Foundation

$150–$500Debbie ColmarNephrology Associates Medical

Office

$1–$149Karen ArmstrongAudrey Dolzadell

Forestville Rebekah Lodge #278

Peggy LeeKatheryn MannMichelle L. Mason-ChaddAllison MorseMary A. ReillyPenny Wolfsohn

MEALs On WHEELs rOutE sPOnsOr

Bennett Valley Jewelers

nEW! sustAInInG MEMBErs

Ronald G. AddisRichard and Margo AddisonWayne and Carolyn AdkinsJohn and Lisa AndersonJames AvilesScott and Linda BareNorah BarrBarbara L. BaxterChester and Jeanne BeallCharlotte BellJanyce BodesonMarilyn and Kenneth BrantKim BuckmanBonnie Lu CahillAdrienne and Joseph CascoLewis CastleberrySusan CondonBarry CoxMark and Amy CrabbEvelyn Del CarloRoger and Linda DelgadoSandra DonohueJohn and Barbara Downey, Jr.Walter A. EaganEvelyn EllisonCarol and Bob ForemanGeorge FryeCarol GiovanniniJohn and Jean HackenburgChris Hamzaeff

Linda M. HavilandAleda Mae HeathStephen and Cindy HeidlRichard and Lisa HiggenbottomRobert L. and E.F. HonsaHarry HumesStephany JoyJean and Robert KaiserKilcor Builders & Design, Inc.Maxine and John KorntvedLionel and Gerry LennoxSteven and Patricia LevenbergVirginia LittleWestern Pacific LoansLunt Heating & Air

Conditioning, Inc.Keith MarshallGeorge W. and Marie

McKinneyJudith and Thomas McMorrowDiana L. McNeilHelen MilesWarren and Rose PendletonAdrian and Shellie RamazzottiLarry W. RuminsonSteve SagehornDavid and Linda SchneiderDixie ShelleyHerbert and Joan ShigekaneGerald ShikadaAnneke H. ShurtleffRalph SinclairMetha SingletonThomas King and Dobie

EdmundsJerold and Sally TullerCarl & Kathryn VastMargarite A. VillavicencioFrances WaiteBetty WalkerPeter WehausenJeane Williams

nEW! sustAInInG MEMBErs FOr MOW

Sue BarnardFrances and William BarrettThomas P. and Sue C. Insco

Yvonne Martin

GEnErAL FunD

$100–$499Marcia DaPontGHDJean Holroyd-SillsRichard RoehrlMargaret Williams

$1–$99Barnard AdamsEllen BeckAlex S. BendahanTammera and Paul CampbellMary Carouba and Susan

Hagen Community Health CharitiesJeannine CookCheryl CumminsHerbert and Katy DowerScott & Sally EvansLori GatesMary GibsonSabrina M. KahnHarry Jay KelleyMaria Klein & Mark TaylorAnn M. LeeCorrine LorenzenCora NealMike NeelyPatti O’BrienGeorge D. SalomonThomas and Karen SanfillippoSusan SavonisPatricia TiltonRobert and Marjorie TrombettaRorie Walden

sOcIAL & FInAncIAL sErvIcEs

P. M. GillespieVictoria Vidak-Martinez

sOnOMA WInE cOuntrY sEnIOr GAMEs

Penny Wolfsohn

Any errors or omissions in these listings are inadvertent. If your name was omitted, please accept our apologies and let us know by calling Ed Wurz, Donor Relations, 525-0143, ext. 139.

I learned about the Council on Aging and its

Meals on Wheels program through my grandfather. Like many seniors, he treasured his independence and wanted to live on his own after my grand mother’s death. The daily delivery of a hot meal helped to make this possible. The friendship and food he received by participating in the Meals on Wheels program had a huge impact on his quality of life. It was also a great comfort to our family to know he was getting a daily visit and nutritious meal. Then, in 1988, when Papa was nearing his 99th birthday, he fell in his kitchen and was unable to call for help. It was the Meals on Wheels driver who found him 22 hours later and arranged for an ambulance, essentially saving his life.

In memory of Papa and to honor and support the Meals on Wheels program, I have made annual contributions to the Council on Aging for the past 20 years. I’m not wealthy, but I donate what I can. If I ever win the lottery, the Council on Aging will be a winner, too!

Donors continued from page 3

Why I Donateby Carl Vast

Carl Vast

Entrees: $6.50 Chicken Enchilada with Spanish RiceEggplant Parmesan with Pesto LinguiniRoasted Vegetable and Garlic CannelloniFresh Salmon Teriyaki with Rice Pilaf and Garlic Brussels SproutsJambalaya – Chicken, Shrimp, Cajun Sausage, Peppers, Onions, Chicken Alfredo with FettucciniMeatloaf with Mashed Potatoes and GravyCarne Asada Burrito Stuffed with Cheese Rice, Beans, Sour Cream and Topped with Enchilada SauceSpaghetti with Meatballs

Oriental Marinated Flank Steak with Roasted Garlic and Rosemary Dry Farm Yukon Gold PotatoesSesame Chicken with Vegetable Fried RiceSheppard’s Pie – Ground Lamb and Beef with Carrots, Peas, Onions, and Parmesan Whipped Potato Crust

Side Dishes: $3.00Twice-Baked Potatoes with Bacon, Green Onion Sour cream and Cheddar CheeseBeef-A-RoniMashed Potatoes with GravyScalloped PotatoesRoasted Carrots, Turnips, and Squash.

December Stagé Menu

Please call 525-0383 to place an order for Home Delivery

(Home delivery not available in all areas; please call to confirm)These meals are available for purchase at:

G&G Market, Petaluma: 701 Sonoma Mt. ParkwayG&G Market, Santa Rosa: 1211 West College Ave

Oakmont Market, Santa Rosa: 6550 Oakmont DriveNew!

Your purchase benefits Council on Aging Meals on Wheels, providing nutritious meals to isolated, frail seniors in Sonoma County.

Sonoma Seniors Today January 2013 ◆ page 5

Once again, Toastmaster Valerie Manso, president of COAT (Council on Aging Toastmasters),

has won the local area championship in the semi-annual speech contest. Manso has participated and won every one of the past three speech division competitions. She last competed in the area of evaluation, which means simply that, evaluate and give the speaker constructive advice on areas where improvement is possible. Her approach is straightforward, and she exhibits stage presence wherever she speaks. As COAT enters into its third year of membership in the 76-year organization’s life, it has gained another distinction: that of a President’s Distinguished Club, one of the highest awards a club can earn. This means that not only are speeches given, officers are trained and exceptional goals are met by the club.

As a new year dawns, COAT invites you to attend one of our meetings, which take place every Wednesday morning at 8 am at the Council on Aging Conference Room at 30 Kawana Springs Road.

We are currently in a building phase, and we welcome prospective members and visitors alike to see and hear what Toastmasters is all about.

Current officers are Valerie Manso, President; Amy Crabb, Vice President of Education; Linda Reitzell, Vice President of Membership and past president; Andrew Clyde, Vice President of PR; JoDee Renae, Secretary; Barbara Swary, Treasurer; and Michele Leonard, Sergeant-at-Arms.

For more information, please contact Linda Reitzell at 542-6270 or Michele Leonard at 525-0143, ext. 147.

One of the homes in my sixty-year-old

neighborhood is falling into ruin. Year after year I’ve watched its slow, sad demise—its rotting roof shingles and peeling paint, omnivorous weeds, shrubbery so overgrown as to prevent daylight from ever reaching the interior. I know the owner, and she has always been amazingly indifferent.

“It’s just a house,” she once told me. “If people don’t like the way it looks, let them fix it. I couldn’t care less.”

From anyone else, Dorothy’s words would have sounded arrogant and angry. I knew better. Recently widowed, Dorothy was simply escaping the scene of what she had always considered her domestic prison. Dishes and dirt and dust could wait. Dorothy was finally free, so off she’d go everyday, to events at the senior center, to luncheons, to walks at the malls with her friends. Never having learned to drive, she took the bus or walked, and truly, she gradually lost weight and gained amazing energy. I’d never seen her looking better.

The rest of us have re-roofed our homes, replaced the old single-paned windows, primed and painted and made hundreds of large and small repairs. We’re serious about maintenance. These are modest and simple buildings, but the backdrop to real lives. These are starter homes for young families, and winding-up homes for the elderly. Pumpkins appear at Halloween, lights at Christmas, lilies and crocuses in the spring. Some of the gardens take my breath away as I walk on summer evenings with my dog, the fragrance of night-blooming jasmine trailing us for blocks.

And then there is Dorothy’s house.She used to stop to chat when I was out

cutting my grass or pruning roses. “When you get done, go do mine,”

she’d joke, “and while you’re at it, why don’t you trim my hedges?” And then she’d tell me about some friend of hers who was not doing well, about how she was late for an appointment with her hair stylist, how disappointed she was with her negligent grandson who never came by to help.

I never suggested that Dorothy use some of her amazing energy to maintain her home, but I probably thought it. I love having a home. I’ve painted it inside and out so many times in the last twenty-seven years that I know every square inch, every quirk, every seasonal change. Each year has had its home-improvement project, like installing wood floors, removing a wall to expand space, replacing linoleum with tiles. I want to leave this world better for my having been in it, and that includes my little house. Maintenance had become a way of life for me, even if my apparently happy neighbor was choosing otherwise.

And then something changed. When I stopped seeing Dorothy on her daily forays, I became concerned. Walking the few blocks to her house, I knocked and

received no answer. Our mail carrier hadn’t seen Dorothy in weeks, and because we have mail slots that send letters directly into our houses instead of into mail boxes, there was no way to tell if she things were piling up.

I telephoned the police and asked for a welfare check, explaining the situation and Dorothy’s considerable age. A few days later, I received a call.

“Your neighbor is alive and doing okay,” a policeman told me, “but I have to admit that her house is a real mess. She didn’t want to let me in. It turns out that her daughter, who is a nurse, lives in town and is in contact. She says that the old lady had a mild stroke. Your neighbor doesn’t want anyone to bother her, and told me to mind my own business.”

I was relieved. Dorothy was safe for now, and apparently content, living independently in her eyesore of a house. I spread the news among some of our neighbors, and people have gotten into the habit of leaving casseroles and special treats on Dorothy’s doorstep. No one is invited to enter, but the food disappears.

It takes all kinds to make a village, a people, a way of life.

Still, Dorothy’s cavalier attitude about maintaining her home troubles me. It seems that everything important requires maintenance, whether we like it or not - our families, our children and pets, our friendships and health and cars and teeth and homes - literally everything. We don’t get to live unencumbered lives. We start to assume responsibilities with our first breaths, initially just to survive, and then the demands on us continue to increase with every passing day.

No wonder there are addicts who prefer escape. No wonder young people look to their daunting and demanding futures and opt to just drop out before ever getting started. Life is not easy. If, as children, we were made to see how many challenges there would be in our lives, all the years of unending responsibility, the losses and loves and joys and immense sorrows, we would probably be immobilized, paralyzed with dread.

There’s wisdom in living only one day at a time, taking small steps toward larger goals, keeping the present in focus. I have always loved adages and prayers that begin with, “Just for today…” They make life seem so much more manageable; they give me faith and courage and perspective.

“Sufficient for the moment is the grief hereof,” my Irish mother used to say. And

MaintenanceOn caring for one’s environment—and one’s neighbors

when I was sick or disappointed or just overwhelmed, my mother would remind me that, “This, too, shall pass.” And she was right. Somehow, I always managed to endure.

So for today, as always, I have my list ready. It contains chores, physical exercise, getting together with family and friends, taking time to be grateful. To some my days may look like a maintenance schedule, but this is my life, and for me it works. I dare to hope it continues for a long, long time.

So far, so good.

by Lenore Pimental

Toastmasters: Increase your confidence and acquire great communication skills

Award-winning COAT president Valerie Manso

Senior Center HighlightsPetaluma Senior Center

211 Novak Dr, Petaluma, 778-4399cityofpetaluma.net/parksnrec/senior.html

• Wednesday, Jan 23, 1–2 pm: Mind Your Memory. Chance Massaro will show you simple tools and techniques that will immediately help you to remember whatever you want! He will share the simple secrets of how the brain works and how to work it so that everyone may learn fast and remember what they want. Free. Call to register.• tuesday, Jan 15, 1:30–2:30 pm: Crafts with Home instead Senior Care. We will make an eggshell mosaic pendant. More fun crafts are planned for the future, so watch the newsletter for upcoming projects. Free. Call to register.• thursday, Jan 17, 11 am–NooN: information network for People as they age. By Senior Placement Services. Five experts explain options for when you can no longer live independently and need to rely on others for your safety and wellbeing. Light refreshments, question & answer session. Call to register.

Santa Rosa Senior Center704 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa, 543-4624

• Friday, Jan 4, 10:30 am–NooN: Signs & Symptoms of Hearing Loss. Presented by audiology associates and California Telephone Access Program (CTAP) representative. Brunch is included. Free. Call 545-8608 to register seat. #67406.• Wednesday, Jan 9, 9–11 am: Complimentary Hearing Screenings. By Audiology Assoc. CTAP representative will match phone pro ducts to each person after testing. Free. Call 545-8608 to reserve screening time. #67405.

Finley Community Center Person Senior Wing

2060 W. College Ave, Santa Rosa •Thursday, Jan 24, 10:30–11:30 am: downsizing Paper Clutter! Kimberlee Foster, of Chucket Organizing & Relocation Services will teach you practical ways to address your paper clutter and how to keep it under control. Learn to create beauty, order and efficiency in a way that’s sustainable and fits your personal style. Free. Call 543-2430 to reserve. #67842.

page 6 ◆ January 2013 Sonoma Seniors Today

Do you need a will, durable power of attorney or health care directive?

The Council on Aging Legal Department is now providing estate planning for seniors, ages 50 to 60.

We can provide these documents at a cost of $500 for a single person and $600 for a couple.

Please contact us at 525-0143, ext. 142, for more information and to price individual documents.

Estate Planning for Seniors

January Crossword Puzzle

Supply the missing numbers so that every row, column and 9-digit square contain only one of each number. No math skills are required, and no guesswork. For hints on doing Sudoku puzzles, visit www.websudoku.com, or send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Sonoma Seniors Today, 30 Kawana Springs Rd., Santa Rosa, CA 95404. (Solution on page 8.)

Solution on page 8

Sonoma Seniors Today January 2013 ◆ page 7

To leave a bequest is to make a permanent statement of your values. It is by this act of charity that the world will remember what you cared about

and what you stood for. If providing for seniors matters to you, consider a gift

to COUNCIL ON AGING

in your estate plans.

Sebastopol Senior Center167 N High St, Sebastopol, 829-2440 www.sebastopolseniorcenter.org

• Tuesday, Jan 22, 2 pm: Downsizing Paper Clutter! Kimberlee Foster, of Chucket Organizing & Relocation Services will teach you practical ways to address your paper clutter and how to keep it under control. Learn to create beauty, order and efficiency in a way that’s sustainable and fits your personal style. Free. Call to reserve.• Wednesday, Jan 23, 11:30 am: Bridge Luncheon. For bridge enthusiasts, all levels. Games, Lunch, gifts and prizes. Register as one or 4 players. $25 donation; all proceeds go to the Sebastopol Area Senior Center. Questions, call Emily, 829-2440.

Windsor Senior Center9231 Foxwood Drive, Windsor, 838-1250

•Fridays, 10–11 am: Sit and Fit exercise Class. Gentle stretching, balance work, specific muscle toning and range of motion exercises done seated, or standing if preferred. Optional light weights for upper body strengthening are available. Drop-in, donations appreciated.

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www.CrosswordWeaver.com

Across 1 Swedish pop group 5 Throat infection10 France & Germany river14 Worship15 19th president16 Reverse17 Abbreviated skirt18 One less than binary19 Object20 State22 Cigarette ingredient24 “Once ___ a time”26 Type of frequency, for short27 Biological pouch30 Regretted32 Natural gas ingredient37 North American initials38 Not in port40 Capital of Western Samoa41 Typist’s key43 Facial twitch44 Uses a keyboard45 Not there46 Wander off course48 Expert49 Chemical variant52 Cry out53 New light bulb initials54 Capture56 Air pollution58 Tongue part63 Sanctuary67 Blemish68 Roosevelt’s “___ Trust”70 Got up71 Dog food brand72 Gandhi’s home73 Past74 Oxidation75 Uncomplaining76 Dried-up

Down 1 Gustav Mahler’s wife 2 Enticement 3 Baseball’s short hit 4 Pierre’s farewell 5 Conceal from sight 6 Convert into leather 7 Baseball’s Nolan 8 Strange 9 Inner soul10 Business wear11 Macassar or pasto starter12 Middle East gulf13 Where Vatican City is21 Small herring23 Frequently in poetry25 Treehouses?27 Japanese dish28 Bonfire residue29 Where Tahrir Square is31 Apollo or Muhammed33 Fodder34 Dismay35 You’re her aunt

36 Went gently39 Real estate42 Not masc.44 Proofreader’s finds47 Book of the year50 Sebastopol-Santa Rosa dir.51 Jewish religious leaders55 Charred57 Middle East “sandwiches”58 Despot59 Civil liberties org.60 Drains strength from 61 Horse’s gait62 Woodworker’s groove64 Zero in tennis65 Consumer66 Bare69 Caesar’s three

“Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right.” —Oprah Winfrey

Working for You

Save the date...(Events are free unless otherwise indicated)

page 8 ◆ January 2013 Sonoma Seniors Today

◆ Attention Readers: Like to share a FREE event with others? Tell us by the 10th of the preceding month, and if it’s appro-priate, we’ll put it on our calen dar. Call 763-2544, write Sonoma Seniors Today, 30 Kawana Springs Rd., Santa Rosa, CA 95404, or email SonomaSeniorsToday@gmail.com.

Information & Assistance/Case Management:Do you need help with senior resources? Call us any time for information, assistance and case management services. Call 525-0143, ext. 101. Sebastopol sen iors only: call the Russian River Senior Center at 869-0618.

Senior Financial Services:Our bonded and insured counselors assist seniors who are unable to handle bill paying, checkbook reconciliation, eli-gibility documentation for retire ment programs, and other financial needs relative to their daily money management. This program is especially designed for the forgetful se-nior or the senior with poor vision and often protects them from financial abuse and late fees associated with forget-ting to pay their bills. For peace of mind, call Connie Aust, Director, at 525-0143, ext. 108.

Senior Peer Support:This program is to help seniors struggling with seri ous mental illness access services and programs that help them develop skills and social support, leading to a more con-structive and satisfying life. After an assessment visit by CoA case managers and a licensed marriage and family therapist, clients are matched with trained volunteers for 12 weekly sup port sessions to develop a care plan solution with the client’s approval, then follow-up with progress notes. Sponsored by the Department of Mental Health Services. Call Michele Leonard, Director of Volunteers, 525-0143, ext. 147, for information.

Lawyer Referral Service:If you are 60 or older and need an attor ney, you will be referred to a panel of elder law attorneys experienced in working with seniors. An initial half-hour consultation is $30. If you retain the attorney for further services, fees will be at the attor ney’s usual rate. The service is certified by the California State Bar, Certification #0111. Call 525-1146.

Senior Meals:Council on Aging Meals on Wheels Program personally delivers over 260,000 fresh meals to seniors each year. We also staff ten dining sites that provide nutritious meals as well as companionship. Therapeutic meals and nutritional counseling are available for seniors with special needs. Call 525-0383 for information on home delivery or dining site locations.

Stagé:Located at your local G & G Markets in Santa Rosa and Petaluma, Stagé is the Council on Aging’s affordable gour-met option that offers restaurant-quality, fine dining entrees prepared fresh and ready to be warmed in the microwave or oven. Stagé can also be delivered to your home. To learn more about this program, call 525-0143 X131.

Senior Social Club:This service has helped hundreds of people to recon nect with others through our Social Club Activities program, offering the opportunity to gather for meals, exercise, entertainment, companionship, and arts and crafts. The programs are held in Healdsburg, Sonoma, Sebastopol and Santa Rosa. Call Laurel Anderson at 525-0143, ext. 103.

Senior Legal Services:Legal consultation and representation in matters of housing, consumer fraud, Social Security and SSI, Medi-Cal and Medicare, and elder abuse are provided. Also available are simple trusts, wills and durable powers of attorney for health care and finance. Sorry, no walk-ins. Please call 525-0143, ext. 140, for an appointment.

Senior Care Coordination:Our experienced staff provides advocacy-based long-term care management for seniors who are having difficulty navigating the local senior service delivery system. Our Senior Care Coordinator creates an individualized and thoughtful care plan to reflect and preserve the senior’s values and lifestyle choices, while maximizing opportuni-ties for positive change and maintaining quality of life. We work in collaboration with home health care agencies and provide integrated services through other Council on Aging services. Our fees are very competitive with private care managers in our community. Call Sheila Almquist at 525-0143, ext. 117.

Council on Aging Legal Seminars 2013Thursday, January 31, 1–3 pm“Public Benefits: Social Security, SSI,

Veterans Aid and Attendance”Guidelines, eligibility and legal issues

Featured speaker: Leo Alberigi, Attorney at Law

Thursday, February 28, 1–3 pm“Real Property Legal Issues for Seniors”

Featured Speaker: Ryan Thomas, Attorney at Law

Council on Aging—G.K. Hardt Conference Room30 Kawana Springs RoadSanta Rosa, CA 95404 (first driveway east of Santa Rosa Ave., south of Costco shopping center)

RSVP: 525-0143 X 142

FREE!FREE!

Open to

the public Open to

the public

◆ February 2: Parkinson’s Support Group. Berkeley Movement Disorders Specialist Matthew Arnold, M.D., will speak about Parkinson’s treatment & medications. 1717 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa, 1–3:15 pm. People w/Parkinsons, families, caregivers welcome. 538-5178 or 887-7451. ◆ Feb 28: Positive aging: Mind, Body and Spirit. A Panel Presentation by the Collaborative on Positive Aging. Council on Aging, 30 Kawana Springs Rd., 10 am–NooN. (2 CEUs are available at no charge.) Watch for more information in upcoming Sonoma Seniors Today.◆ March 2: Parkinson’s Support Group. “Some Home & Community Resources” with panelists Dorothy Foster, Redwood Caregivers Resource Center, Liz Claret, Sonoma County Adult & Aging Services, & Joy Lovinger, Senior Placement Services. 1717 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa, 1–3:15 pm. People w/Parkinsons, families, caregivers welcome. 538-5178 or 887-7451.◆ First Tuesdays: Santa rosa Stamp Club. Monthly meeting, 7 pm, Lodge at Paulin Creek, Building D, 2nd floor, 2375 Range Ave, Santa Rosa. 538-9294.◆ Thursdays: Laughter Yoga. Silver-crest Senior Apartments, 1050 Third St,

Santa Rosa, 2 pm. Walkers, wheel chairs & all ages welcome. 546-4439. For more info on laughter yoga, see www.laughteryoga.org.◆ First Thursdays: Free Movies for Seniors. November through June at Third St. Cinemas, 620 Third St., Santa Rosa (near transit mall), 10 am, doors open at 9:30 am. For movie titles, call 522-0330, ext. 3 after Friday. Sponsored by Santa Rosa Memorial Park & Mortuary/Eggen & Lance Chapel; Kobrin Financial Services; Synergy Medical Group. For info, call Gwen Adkins, 523-1586, ext. 21.◆ Wednesdays: COat toastmasters. Council on Aging, 30 Kawana Springs Rd, 8–9 am. Would you like to become a com-petent communicator, network, hone your skills for a career change or simply have a good time with a great group of individuals? Hang your jacket on the hook at COAT and JOIN US! Info: Linda Reitzell, 542-6270, or Michele Leonard, 525-0143, ext. 147.

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N A B S M O GT A S T E B U D A S Y L U MS C A R B R A I N R O S EA L P O I N D I A O V E RR U S T S T O I C S E R E