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Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 341 Santa Rosa, CA 95401 Volunteer drivers needed ........................ page 3 Derby Day coming soon.......................... page 4 Sonoma Academy steps up ................... page 5 Hot topic: Economic upside .............. page 6–7 Act three ..........................................................page 8 Stop debt collection calls ...................... page 10 News flashback ........................................... page 10 Senior center highlights ........................... page 11 Crossword and sudoku ............................ page 11 Save the date ............................................... page 12 INSIDE SONOMA SENIORS TODAY March 2017 March hot topic: Economic upside of aging. See page 6 Women’s History Month: Helping girls develop grit I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance Never settle for the path of least resistance… —from the song “I Hope You Dance” By Cheri Lieurance Marketing Coordinator D r. Lynn Stauffer, 52, Dean of Sonoma State University’s (SSU) School of Science and Technology, says it takes “grit” for a woman to succeed in fields more commonly associated with men, such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Dr. Stauffer defines grit as “that willingness to be stubborn and not give up too soon. It’s also about being willing to ask a lot of whys, and to ‘flash doubt’ at some things you’re being told.” Possessing a healthy measure of “stick–to– itivenes” herself, Dr. Stauffer has earned a Ph.D, in computer science, raised three children, and risen through the roles of teacher, department chair and now dean. She understands from personal experience the challenges that women face in breaking through the glass ceiling COA information referral: The first place to go for answers By David Abbott Associate Editor S eniors and their family members calling Council on Aging (COA) seeking information will usually get to make the acquaintance of Information and Referral Specialist Rebecca Aliotti, who helps them navigate the oſten confusing waters of services available for local seniors. “I’m basically the second point of contact,” Aliotti said. “If the receptionist can’t answer, it comes to me.” For three years she has been a friendly voice at COA’s Social and Financial Services Department, providing information for a range of services and answering questions about resources available for people facing challenges associated with aging. “Sometimes it’s a senior calling for the first time because they’ve lost their license and want to know what transportation looks like for them,” she explains. “But oſten it’s children or friends concerned about someone and to find out what kinds of services there are.” e service is free to Sonoma County seniors and Aliotti is there to help connect them with COA case managers—who can provide a free Dr. Lynn Stauffer stands before a series of paintings by student Leslie Ann Prince, who pursued a double major of computer science and art studio at Sonoma State University. See Grit, page 9 See Info, page 8

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Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 341

Santa Rosa, CA 95401 Volunteer drivers needed ........................page 3Derby Day coming soon .......................... page 4Sonoma Academy steps up ...................page 5Hot topic: Economic upside ..............page 6–7Act three ..........................................................page 8Stop debt collection calls ......................page 10News flashback ...........................................page 10Senior center highlights ........................... page 11Crossword and sudoku ............................ page 11Save the date ............................................... page 12

INSIDE

SONOMA SENIORS TODAY

March 2017March hot topic: Economic upside of aging. See page 6

Women’s History Month: Helping girls develop grit

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distanceNever settle for the path of least resistance…

—from the song “I Hope You Dance”

By Cheri Lieurance Marketing Coordinator

Dr. Lynn Stauffer, 52, Dean of Sonoma State University’s (SSU) School of Science and Technology, says it takes

“grit” for a woman to succeed in fields more commonly associated with men, such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Dr. Stauffer defines grit as “that willingness to be stubborn and not give up too soon. It’s also about being willing to ask a lot of whys, and to ‘flash doubt’ at some things you’re being told.”

Possessing a healthy measure of “stick–to–itivenes” herself, Dr. Stauffer has earned a Ph.D, in computer science, raised three children, and risen through the roles of teacher, department chair and now dean. She understands from personal experience the challenges that women face in breaking through the glass ceiling

COA information referral: The first place to go for answersBy David Abbott Associate Editor

Seniors and their family members calling Council on Aging (COA) seeking information will usually get to make the

acquaintance of Information and Referral Specialist Rebecca Aliotti, who helps them navigate the often confusing waters of services available for local seniors.

“I’m basically the second point of contact,” Aliotti said. “If the receptionist can’t answer, it comes to me.”

For three years she has been a friendly voice at COA’s Social and Financial Services

Department, providing information for a range of services and answering questions about resources available for people facing challenges associated with aging.

“Sometimes it’s a senior calling for the first time because they’ve lost their license and want to know what transportation looks like for them,” she explains. “But often it’s children or friends concerned about someone and to find out what kinds of services there are.”

The service is free to Sonoma County seniors and Aliotti is there to help connect them with COA case managers—who can provide a free

Dr. Lynn Stauffer stands before a series of paintings by student Leslie Ann Prince, who pursued a double major of computer science and art studio at Sonoma State University.See Grit, page 9

See Info, page 8

SONOMA SENIORS TODAY

Sonoma Seniors Today published monthly by

30 Kawana Springs RoadSanta Rosa, CA 95404

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

www.councilonaging.com

BOARD OF DIRECTORSDeborah Roberts, Chair

Bonnie Burrell, SecretaryJoseph Huang, Treasurer

Corrine Lorenzen, Past ChairJeff Beeson, James DeVore.

Marrianne McBride, John Pearson, John Reyes and David Vicini

COA EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT Marrianne McBride, President and CEO

Connie Aust, Director of Social and Financial Services

Zachary Carroll, Director of Legal ServicesAlyssa Kutzer, Director of Development

Charles Lindner, Director of Nutrition Services and Kitchen Operations

Editor: Cheri Lieurance, 525-0143, ext. 113

[email protected]

Associate Editor: David [email protected]

Contributors: David Abbott, Zachary Carroll, Carol I. Cuzner,

Meagan Dowdall, Cheri Lieurance, Lenore Pimental

Distribution Manager: Jeramon ShadeAdvertising: Tina McKenzie, 525-0143, ext.

100, [email protected]

Subscriptions: Use form on page 10.Sonoma Seniors Today is a publication of

Council on Aging, 30 Kawana Springs Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404, 707-525-0143

[email protected] 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 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 discretion 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 [email protected].

All rights reserved© 2016 Council on Aging

Mission Statement

To enhance the quality of life for our aging community by providing services that promote well-being and maintain independence.

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Subscribe now to receive your monthly issue filled with helpful information. Best of all, your subscription helps fund senior services provided by Council on Aging. Mail this form and check payable to Council on Aging, SST Subscriptions, 30 Kawana Springs Rd., Santa Rosa CA 95404.

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PAGE 2 | March 2017

For more information, go to www.councilonaging.com

or check out our Facebook page

SONOMA SENIORS TODAY March 2017 | PAGE 3

GeneralWilliam H. BaroneRobert CaryChristine CastleMark and Amy CrabbAudrey EspinosaFidelity Brokerage Services LLCRobert and Ruth FreisErnest GuevaraJanice and Joel HadaryJonathan HaydenBruce HenryJaffray Family Charitable FundHelen KeeferTom King and Amy SouthwickNancy KirkpatrickJim and Suzanne LaitnerHoward LeonardSteve and Diane PestellKen ReederCharlotte SchanzerDavid and Linda SchneiderLynn M. ScuriThe Thunder Paws Charitable GivingRoseanna WoodsGordon Zlot

Holiday appealDoris AakerSteven and Cheryl ArmstrongTom BahningChristine and Edwin BakerDavid and Lilly BalladoneSue BarnardLarisa and George BatchelderMadolyn J. BemisJoel BennettCatherine BlamiresK.W. BoltonRichard and Margaret BonkowskiDevika BrandtJoan ChanceThomas and Jean ClarkErin E. ClarkLaura CloseJaclyn H. CoffinJohn ColeLinda C. Garcia and Donald R. CropperPatricia DahlDale AssociatesNancy DennettGlenn DennlerM. Patricia DervinVicki A. DotyGail Dubinsky SpielmanStan DybczakHelen EffronKurt EichstaedtLiz EllisGloria EurotasKaren Fink-McKeeStephen and Rosanne Liggett FischerJanis and Ray FloresBarbara FoldvikHelene FrederickGloria and Andre FrereMark S. Frey, D.D.S.Lynda K. FuselierCraig GaevertJames A. GehringGail GillespieS.L. GillisDennis and Meridith GoodrowThomas and Ellen GriffinRhonda GuaragliaDennis J. and Barbara D. GuggemosRobert J. GuskeRobert GutlebenKatherine L. HallArthur and Sheila HansenJanice HarnischPamela L. Harrington and Richard IngramJillian HelmerGisela HewittEdgar F. HoeferThomas HonrathM. L. HowserWilliam and Patricia HubenetteJohn and Melissa HunterLinda HutchinsonJanet and Jay JensenJewelry TechAbdol JooyandehHarry and Barbara KelleyRuth KiekeEdward KillianMary KimbleThomas King and Dobie EdmundsJoyce and Helmer KinunenKathleen KraemerVirginia KraftJodie KyleWendy LabyMichael B Lash, MDAngus and Donna LattaKelli Laughlin

Kathryn LaurensonLouisa LeavittDawn LeitzElizabeth LevyLaurie LippinTheresa MahoneyNancy MavisMargaret and Thomas Mc FarlinSandy and James McAdlerLynn McGarveyMarie A. MeredithJohn J. MergetKarl MinnigerodeMaureen MitchellRonald and Sheryl NadeauThomas and Ruth NeyLaura B. OwensMark C. ParnellMonica PattersonCynthia and Bruce PetersonPatricia PonciaGeorge and Cheryll PowersMerton F. PrestonMark A. RasmussenCharles RasorEugene ReissPatricia RiehleKay RiperMarcia RogersBernice and Ernest RoseRichard and Ellen RosenquistMeagan RuganiR.C. Jake Rutherford and Kathy TimberlakeDennis RutkowskiElizabeth Ryder SuttonSue SalinasNelita SamsonSandeen Insurance ServicesMarilyn and Donald SandersCatherine and Emile Serpa, Jr.Diane ShawRichard ShippsMichelle SikoraHarry SimmsWilliam SmalanskasHoward J. and Mary K. SnookSnyder and Company Accountancy CorpChristine M. SoryMiriam and Roy SparrowJames A. SpicerStep Up PodiatryFrederick and Anne StylesGerald SullivanDoreen and Dale TatmanSuzanne TaylorSue ThueCharlene TrabuccoElla M. TrussellDavid and Margaret VidaurriJoe and Deborah VotekAlex and Sharon VybornyMichael and Kirsten WagnerCarole and Marshall Ward, IIIPatricia and Jay WerthGretchen WhisenandDonald F. Whittinghill

Ellen WilliamsTed and Deanie WilmsenLorinda WilsonVirginia and Mike WinterMartha Moss YatesTheresa ZingarelliKathleen ZuninoNationwide Real Estate Tax Service Inc.

SuStaininG MeMberSWayne and Carolyn AdkinsKathy AtkinsonPatricia BallardMartha BeckCharlotte BellDoni BirdRichard and Carolyn BischofPhyllis J. BoilesJohn T. BraytonLillian BrownKim BuckmanKenneth and Sharon BurgeLee CamfieldTammera and Paul CampbellCarrie and Art CarneyThomas M. and Mary R. CheliniReece and Joy ClarkTeri ClintonLinda M. CloseBarbara CoenJacqueline CorleyFrank CasciaSusan and Henry P. CulpCheryl C. CumminsPat and Leland DavisJohn and Kathleen DennisonDonald and Renee DeorseyCece DepaoliRon DorrisBeth EckenrodCathryn FairleeDavid and Joyce FanucchiRichard E. FennellMichael and Margaret FusonJudith GiampaoliNora GibbsRaymond GloorTom GrahamSteven D. GrellW Mark Gwin

Linda HanesGeorge M. and Lynda L. HarringtonJanyce HaseltineHenry HickeyLinda HoneysettLinda IllsleyJohn Markarian ConstructionJoni JonesBob Jordan and Jennifer Bennett-JordanSumedha KhannaR. David and Janet KiblerRichard B. KleinArdath LeeLionel and Gerry LennoxJanet M. MacDonaldNoel Dale MarshallAnthony MazzolaDavid MelanconFlorence E. MelanderLeslie MeuchelJean MontagueCynthia L. MooreWilliam and Carolyn MorrisseyKathleen MouatLori MyersVirginia O'NeillRon PaganoGary PendersJoan PetersonKaren PowellGregory and Gail RalstonKathleen and James RocheMary Ann RovaiLarry W. RuminsonSteve SagehornGeorge D. SalomonCarol SandersBob and Claudia SantiniSusan SavonisMargaret P. SenneffDottie ShieldsJames ShotwellArvid SorumEdward and Joan SteigerAdam SteinKristine SundquistBarbara Swary and Stewart LauterbachJ. and Richard Thayer

Any errors or omissions in these listings are inadvertent. If your name was omitted, please accept our apologies and let us know by calling 525-0143, ext. 110.

See Donors, page 7

• tributeS •In Memory of Alice Bursick

Patricia FitchRandy Paige

Catherine Maresh

In Honor of Grahame PetcheyHideko Oga

In Memory of Dorothy and Grant CalhounMarsha Calhoun

Council on Aging donorsMany thanks and appreciation to our generous donors who gave gifts of support to our 16 programs and services in January, 2017.

Opportunity for church or service organizationBy Meagan Dowdall Donor Relations Officer for COA

Council on Aging’s Adopt-a-Route program for Meals on Wheels is looking for teams of eight or more volunteers to deliver meals to

homebound seniors. With 70 routes throughout Sonoma County, from

Rohnert Park to Cloverdale and Sonoma to the river area, there is bound to be a route convenient for you.

Gather your friends from church, a service organization, or business and commit to one day a week Monday through Friday. Two people are recommended to work per shift, and with eight individuals comprising the team, the pairs can rotate

delivery every four to five weeks.A shift is two hours, with volunteers picking up

their meals from the Meals on Wheels kitchen in Santa Rosa between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. and delivering meals by 2 p.m.

In 2016, Council on Aging provided 285,000 meals to Sonoma County’s most vulnerable seniors. Your meal delivery is often the only visit for Meals on Wheels clients.

In the words of Aesop, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”

To get involved in the Adopt-a-Route program, please contact Meagan Dowdall, Donor Relations Officer at 525-0143, ext. 139, or [email protected].

SONOMA SENIORS TODAYPAGE 4 | March 2017

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Complimentary in-home assessment.707-545-4986

MOW drivers needed!We are in BIG need of volunteer drivers for Meals on Wheels! Days available are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from approximately 11:30 to 2:30. At this point, it’s pretty much your choice!

If you can spare the time, our isolated seniors could definitely use your support.

Contact Michele Leonard, Director of Volunteer Services, 525-0143, ext. 147 or [email protected].

Tickets now on sale for MOW Derby Day

The 18th Annual Meals on Wheels Derby Day—the Council on Aging’s spring celebration of food, fashion and fun in

the spirit of the Kentucky Derby—returns to the beautiful Chateau St. Jean Winery in Kenwood, on Saturday, May 6, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Chateau St. Jean provides the perfect setting for the gala event, which raises funds for Council on Aging’s Meals on Wheels program.

One of the most memorable charitable events in the North Bay, Meals on Wheels Derby Day pays homage to the traditions of the Kentucky Derby—Sonoma-style. The day has something for everyone: foodies, wine connoisseurs, fashion mavens and horse racing enthusiasts.

The main event will take place under a beautiful tent on the grand lawn at the winery with a four-course lunch by some of Sonoma County’s most noted chefs. Following the lunch, attendees will be invited to raise their

paddles during a high-spirited live auction to bid on deluxe items such as a full ceremony package (for a wedding, vow renewal or other special occasion), a six-night, five-day backpacking trip in the High Sierras, a classic 1979 Mercedes 450SLC, and many other one-of-a-kind items and experiences. Festivities will also include a viewing of the Kentucky Derby livestreamed on a large screen.

All guests are invited to come dressed in their brightest, most festive Derby Day attire. A panel of judges will award prizes for the best dressed, most authentic era outfits and the best Derby hat.

Proceeds from Derby Day benefit Meals on Wheels, which delivers more than 285,000 meals per year to frail, homebound seniors who might otherwise go without.

Tickets are $250 per person or $2,500 for a table of 10. To purchase tickets, see the order form on page 10 of this month’s SST, or go to www.COADerbyDay.com.

Call Today: Offer Ends September 30th!(707) 778-7883 or (800) 949-2434

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Sonoma Wine Country Games registration opens March 1

Eager to prove your athletic prowess, meet fascinating new friends, or just have fun playing your favorite sport? Competing

in the 2017 Sonoma Wine Country Games, a series of sporting events for athletes age 50-plus that takes place June 2-18, may be the perfect venue. Whether you are a seasoned competitor, or just starting a new sport, participating in the Games is an experience that brings a sense of camaraderie, accomplishment and celebration.

Early Bird registration for the Games starts March 1 and runs through April 15. During

that time period, athletes can save $5 on general registration (apart from the per-event entry fee) when signing up for any of 16 sports, from archery to volleyball.

More than 1,600 athletes are expected to compete in this year’s series of sports events, ranging in age from early 50s into their 90s.

Along with the sports tournaments, the Games offers a Celebration of Athletes event to be held June 10, at Shone Farms, that gives competitors a chance to meet and mingle.

For more information, go to www.winecountrygames.com.

SONOMA SENIORS TODAY March 2017 | PAGE 5

Heating bills becoming unmanageable?

With PG&E bills rising substantially over the past few months, seniors who are struggling with affording

them might want to check out the utility company’s CARE (California Alternate Rates for Energy) program, which offers discounts of

up to 20 percent for low-income households.CARE eligibility is based on gross

household income relative to the number of persons living in the home. Also eligible are individuals residing in several different types of group settings, including nonprofit group living

facilities and tenants of sub-metered residential facilities.

For more information on how to apply and whether you qualify, go to http://bit.ly/2kH96B5, email [email protected] or call 866-743-2273.

Today I created my estate plan... ...And helped feed a hungry senior

in Sonoma County

Your legal fees help fund vital services for seniors in Sonoma County, including Meals on Wheels.

For additional information on our legal services please call Zachary Carroll at 707-525-0143 ext. 140

or email at [email protected]

Sonoma Academy students help out in kitchen

Eighteen students from Sonoma Academy high school helped out in the Council on Aging kitchen Jan. 18 as part of the schools’s intercession course called “I Want to Help.” Supervised by instructor Florence Rink, they helped prep food delivered to Meals on Wheels clients. Thanks to all the students for the generous donation of their time.

SONOMA SENIORS TODAY

Hot topic: The economic upside of an aging population

PAGE 6 | March 2017

Susan Leport, Senior Helpers Care Manager with business owner Robert Nations.

Many seniors help fuel the ‘gig economy’David Abbott Associate Editor

As Baby Boomers begin entering their golden years in record numbers, the technological society birthed from its

generation has enhanced opportunities to remain in the workforce through a phenomenon known as the “gig economy.”

The gig economy is described as freelance and temporary work and is increasingly fueled by the rise of the “digital marketplace” with a range of opportunities from driving companies such as Lyft and Uber to digital projects or tasks contracted for work on demand.

Although the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics has no official definition of the gig economy and current statistics are hard to find, independent studies find that somewhere between 27 to 33 percent of the U.S. workforce participated in some kind of temporary labor in 2015. A study by Intuit, a business and financial

software company, estimates that by 2020, 50 percent of the workforce will be employed in “gig” work.

According to the Intuit study, “2020 will see a new breed of senior citizens with ‘unretirement’ and active engagement best describing their lifestyle choices as they continue to work in their current professions or even opt to start new careers.”

The growth of the gig economy and the boom of the aging population means increased opportunity, both for aging workers and the people that provide services for them.

“We are seeing startup gig websites that have impacted most of the retail sector,” Joe Madigan,

Executive Vice President of Nelson Jobs said. “Uber and Lyft have affected taxi drivers, and grocery delivery services in San Francisco, such as Instacart, are beginning to get popular.”

Madigan said the new economic demographic gives more flexibility to college students working through school to seniors who may need to enhance income or just want to remain engaged with the world.

“I’ve heard people [coming out of retirement] say they enjoy doing it just to have conversations with different people,” Madigan said. “It gives them hobby money or helps if they’ve had losses in their 401k, or gives them an opportunity to do things they haven’t done before.”

One advantage to the gig economy is the ability to work from home for tech-savvy seniors, so that they may earn extra money or start a new career.

“There is more opportunity than ever before,” Madigan said.

Boomer retirement brings economic opportunityDavid Abbott Associate Editor

With the “Silver Tsunami” of aging Baby Boomers underway, some sectors of the economy stand to

benefit with increased demand for senior services, both for seniors who need assisted living options and those who seek to age in place.

Sonoma County seniors are staying active longer, dining out, going to the gym and defying stereotypes, so aging has not become the “dreaded condition” it once was.

The Area Agency on Aging 2016-2020 Area Plan and Community Report, “The Art of Aging” reports that currently, 24 percent of the population is past the age of 65, while 10 percent is past the age of 85. The trend is projected to rise and put a strain on resources, but for businesses providing services, the boom also represents opportunity.

On Jan. 10, Sonoma County declared 2017 “The Year of the Senior,” putting in place a proposal by the Economic Development Board that goes hand-in-hand with the Age-Friendly Communities Initiative, adopted in 2016.

The proposal states that, “while there has been much national and local discussion centered on the challenges of this reality, little attention has been devoted to the economic potential of such a large-scale demographic transformation, which becomes more easily identifiable using the framework of age-friendliness.”

The EDB reports that the U.S. economy stands to gain an estimated $8 trillion in “longevity bonus” from retirees who “volunteer

and continue to contribute for a longer period of time.”

So while government agencies and nonprofit organizations brace for the coming wave, local businesses in the private sector seek to expand in order to facilitate demand.

“The biggest challenge is dealing with seniors who suffer from dementia or Parkinson’s disease,” Terry Kemp, Resident Care Coordinator for the Healdsburg Senior Living Community. “Dementia is increasing for people at a younger and younger age. Families can’t take care of them, but they’re going to live into their 90s.”

HSLC provides services that include independent and assisted living solutions as well as memory care and skilled nursing services. Kemp said there is a wait list of at least one year to get in, and although moving into a facility can be expensive, it is still less so than round-the-

clock in-home care.Additionally, Baby Boomer seniors have

different expectations than earlier generations, so the facility has had to find creative and innovative ways to keep them engaged.

“They expect sushi and espresso bars, so you have to up your game,” she said. “And these guys are in shape.”

To fill those needs, HSLC has created gardens with goats, chickens and bunnies, as well as inter-generational programs to keep seniors connected to younger people and passing on their acquired wisdom.

“The goats are part of the family and each of our seniors knows how to plant a seed,” Kemp said. “It’s about getting back to basics.”

The home services industry has also seen the boom to provide services to seniors who want to “age in place.” The industry is growing so fast that local providers face challenges just to maintain staffing levels.

“Seniors want to stay in the home, but the majority of them will need assistance,” Robert Nations, owner of the local Senior Helpers franchise said. “We hire new staff every week and our biggest challenge is filling those positions.”

Senior Helpers provides non-medical in-home care to seniors in Sonoma, Napa, Lake and Solano counties who need assistance with housekeeping, personal care, Alzheimer’s and dementia care or simply companionship to keep them engaged with the world.

“Growth projections are off the charts,” Nations said. “We see double-digit growth, but the challenge is containing costs so that our services remain affordable.”

2020 will see a new breed of senior citizens with “unretirement” and active engagement best describing their lifestyle choices.

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.

SONOMA SENIORS TODAY March 2017 | PAGE 7

Priscilla Call Essert, Program Officer for the Sonoma County Volunteer Center.

Donors, continued from page 3

Older adults continue contributing as volunteersCheri Lieurance Marketing Coordinator

Older adults contribute significantly to the nation’s economy during their careers, and even when they retire,

many continue to provide valuable—and perhaps even irreplaceable—community services as volunteers.

So, for the many nonprofits that benefit from the talent, altruism, and life experience offered by this age group, the so-called “Silver Tsunami” may be a blessing; it promises a steady—and growing—pool of potential volunteers.

Seniors have always been a significant source of volunteerism, as they look for meaningful ways to fill their newly freed-up time after retirement. They serve as foster grandparents, classroom tutors, business mentors, Meals on Wheels drivers, tour docents, board members, event staff, and so on.

Each year, the Volunteer Center of Sonoma County refers more than 7,688 volunteers into the community through schools, court and community service and other activities. Priscilla Call Essert, Program Officer at the Volunteer Center, estimates that 44 percent of them are seniors.

Many local nonprofits rely on volunteers and would have to scale back or eliminate valuable programs without them due to limited budgets. The Volunteer Center is no exception. For example, the Center’s senior transportation program, Volunteer Wheels, depends heavily on its approximately 40 volunteer drivers, who are all over 55.

The Center also relies on approximately 40 older adults serving in clerical and reception roles. “It would be very difficult to run this place without them,” Call Essert acknowledged.

Volunteers in the 55-plus age group are not just prized for their numbers. Their patience, loyalty and willingness to devote several hours per week on a continuing basis in an office setting endear them to nonprofits that need that type of help.

“We have a rotation of two or three

volunteers at the front desk who are over 55, and they love working here,” said Call Essert. “There is a desire in the younger generation to give back, as well. But how they do it is very different. It might be on a one-time or occasional basis, but we’re not going to be seeing the one-hour or two-hour-a-week commitment.”

Call Essert sees a continuing need for volunteers willing to take on office-oriented assignments that require an ongoing presence. “For the places that need someone to show up regularly to be the face someone sees as they come into the nonprofit, I don’t see their business model changing that much. It can’t become virtual or occasional,” said Call Essert.

Here again, older volunteers may have an important role to play. “We are just starting to

look at taking this great volume of senior volunteers looking for impactful opportunities to work and providing them with ways to nurture that next generation of volunteers,” said Call Essert.

Volunteers donate almost 29,000 hours per year to COA

On one level, you could say volunteers are priceless. The opportunity for organizations to have at their disposal

people willing to dedicate their time, talents and energy to making a difference without financial recompense is a gift that defies financial valuation.

But when considered in light of their contribution to a nonprofit’s capacity to deliver a range of services to clients in need, the quantification of the hours donated by volunteers can be impressive, and heart-warming.

Here at Council on Aging, we track volunteers’ hours to recognize their integral role in COA operations and client services and to satisfy reporting requirements for various funding sources we receive.

During 2016, an average of 225 volunteers put in an average of 2,325 hours per month in a variety of roles at COA, including Meals on Wheels drivers; receptionists; senior peer services volunteers; social services and dietetic interns; food preparers; event helpers; document scanning and archiving clerks; and many others.

By the end of the year, volunteers had logged an amazing total of 27,911 hours on behalf of COA. Thank you all for your generosity, commitment and compassion.

Jan VolkMarty WaitMark and Sandra WalheimCarla WedemeyerAlexander and Rachel WilliamsMarian WilliamsPaul and Lynn WycoffPaul Zarn

derby day: MealS on WHeelS

Bonnie and Timothy BurrellCorrine Lorenzen

General: MealS on WHeelS

Samuel BrownSusan BurchDennis and Sue Ann FlynnRichard and Lisa HiggenbottomPenelope PowellGasper SciaccaPaul ScrimgeourGary and Gail Starling

Holiday appeal: MealS on WHeelS

Robert BelewChris and Christine Bethards

Pamela BolinChristina LeventiniDuffy MaggioraG. Harry MorseTom PetersonLoretta SmithJacqueline Hayes and David Wade

KibbleS of KindneSS: MealS on WHeelS

Pamela Bolin

SuStaininG MeMberS: MealS on WHeelS

Chady Wonson and Bruce AlbertPaula Alden

Alex S. BendahanDaisy BogartMary M. CookGlenn K. CoxeCarin and Thomas CutlerKathleen L. MooreSteve NielsenDennis RhodesDana and Kenneth StokesCarl and Kathryn VastJune Whitesides

General: Social and financial ServiceS

Professional Fiduciary Association of California

SONOMA SENIORS TODAY

Like to see Sonoma Seniors Today in full color? Visit www.councilonaging.com and click on “News & Events,”

then “Sonoma Seniors Today.”

Act ThreeBy Lenore Pimental

Hiking beside me, my 14-year-old grandson is a revelation. Chris has grown seven inches in the last year,

now reaching nearly six feet, and he has the shuffling walk of someone not yet comfortable in his body. His feet grow one size every month. It seems just the other day that he was an oversized baby crawling to me with happy shrieks, and now he looms above as we walk through the woods on a rainy Sunday morning. His voice is already deep and seems to carry across the valley.

Today Chris is worried about mountain lions. He saw a warning sign at the entrance to our trail, no doubt posted in last summer’s drought, about lion sightings in the area. I’m finding it impossible to reassure him.

“Honestly,” I say, “cougars are solitary creatures. They only come down from their mountain when there’s no water or food.” I point out the overflowing winter creeks, the small animal tracks, the lack of large cat tracks. I even remind him that we have huge Flora on her leash, but it does no good. As far as Chris is concerned, my dog constitutes an even greater enticement. He’s looking all around us, constantly sweeping the terrain, wary and on the alert.

And then it occurs to me. Chris, in his brand new height and maturity, thinks he is the appointed protector of his 68-year-old grandmother. It’s his job to keep me safe. I’m touched, annoyed, even amused. And then I start to worry.

All my children and grandchildren are well

trained in safe hiking. They know what to do in all eventualities and could teach classes about the wilderness. I’ve been dragging them from one adventure to another all their lives. When did I become frail in my grandson’s eyes? When did I lose that reputation of invincibility that has always reassured my family when I took off on my treks around the world?

As we walk, I find myself thinking. It’s true that I determined only this year not to go up on my pitched roof with the leaf blower any more, deciding that it really was too risky and foolish. Instead, I dragged out my tallest ladder and installed covers on my rain gutters. I also resolved to refrain from hiking in the worst heat of the day, and to be more conscientious about drinking lots of water. I’m learning my limits, and respecting them.

I’ve become cautious.It’s true: in the last year I’ve had a

colonoscopy, bone density test, complete blood work-up, and my regular mammogram. Everything is fine, even without medication, but all my experience as a medical social worker makes me realize that there is a natural attrition of the human immune system with advancing age. I know that joints wear out, years of unprotected sun take their eventual toll, genetic predisposition ultimately prevails. I’m nearly 70, and my grandson—who was not around in my real heyday—sees a reality not yet shared by my daughters.

He may be right.In Act One of my life’s drama, I was an

invisible tomboy who led armies of neighborhood kids around New York City as though we were tourists. Our strength was in

our numbers and we had a wonderful time. Then the day came when I was shocked into

Act Two by the sudden occurrence of appreciative whistles as I passed construction workers, of phone calls from boys, of dates and a steady boyfriend who would become my husband—too soon—before either of us really knew what we were doing.

I did everything backwards, having children early and my education afterwards, extricating myself from a painful marriage, not starting my career until my daughters were themselves in school.

Act Two was immensely satisfying, and rife with challenges that made me grow by leaps and bounds. It seems as though my real education began when I went out into the world as a human life raft for my sinking clients, a logical development for someone who has always been a strong swimmer. I became even stronger.

And now, thanks to my grandson’s burgeoning judgment, I appear to be in Act Three. Here is where I get to use the lessons I learned in my life, to recapture some of the magic, to see more at a slower pace. Now I know that preparation is everything; now I know that there is no real need to hurry. I think more, now; I listen to my own and other people’s reasoning before I decide on a path of action. I wait for the right time because “ripeness is all” in Shakespeare and life.

Act Three brings everything into fruition that was only foreshadowed before, only now I am wiser and patient enough to savor every moment. That’s what approaching the end, however distant, does for you—it puts things into perspective. I love growing old. I really do.

home visit to assess the client’s situation and create a care plan—and refer them to additional resources.

Aliotti moved to Sonoma County from southern California in the early 1990s to attend Sonoma State University. She began as a volunteer at COA while her children Kylina and Joe were in middle school, but as soon as they entered high school her role expanded.

“One of the managers found out I was a case manager in the North Bay Regional Center, so they approached me and asked me to work part-time,” she said.

NBRC provides services and support to individuals diagnosed with developmental disabilities. Aliotti was a Client Program Coordinator for NBRC and worked with the families of children ages 3-15 with disabilities, helping parents find services needed to care for the child at home.

At COA, Aliotti also helps clients who are 60-plus navigate through the process of applying for funds through Season of Sharing, a program that helps people in emergency situations. The purpose of the fund is to assist families and eligible seniors or disabled individuals to maintain or secure a stable living situation by providing one-time financial assistance.

Dealing with adult children who may be concerned about parents is a common theme to

Aliotti’s work, particularly after the holidays, when out-of-state relatives return to distant homes concerned about the welfare of parents.

“I’ll get calls after the holidays from someone saying ‘mom’s 90 and I’m worried about her,’” Aliotti said. “Sometimes it’s just reassuring them it’s okay if they’re alone: if Mom’s says she is okay, she’s okay, and we must respect that.”

Every call is unique, and she can help find in-home care, find answers to fall prevention questions and help find counseling for health insurance.

Social and Financial Services Department Director Connie Aust has come to see Aliotti as a valuable resource for her ability to connect with clients and her wealth of knowledge concerning available services.

“Rebecca is very important to Council on Aging due to the value of these services to our seniors and their families,” Aust said. “Our organization has become very reliant on her skills. She has also become a wealth of knowledge for field staff so they can keep up on changes to resource providers in the community.”

COA’s Social and Financial Services Department facilitates about 30,000 requests per year, including website inquiries, walk-ins and telephone calls. COA is the agency most referred to for questions on aging through 211, the County information and referral line, according to Aust.

Info, continued from page 1

PAGE 8 | March 2017

SONOMA SENIORS TODAY

2nd Annual Tiny House Raffle to Benefit Meals on Wheels—Raffle Form

separating them from STEM careers.She recalls an incident that occurred in the

office of a mathematics professor whose course she was taking at UC Irvine. According to Dr. Stauffer, he offered this observation about her, “You ask a lot of questions, so I figured you weren’t getting it, that you wouldn’t be good at this.”

“I’m sure he didn’t think that what he was saying was going to discourage me,” Dr. Stauffer said, “But boy did it. So sometimes we have to build this muscle of wanting to prove people wrong, despite the obstacles.”

Thirty years into her career, Dr. Stauffer acknowledges that bias still exists, if in a more subtle way, on the part of both men and women. “There is still an element of surprise that we connect with women who are part of STEM disciplines; that you’re the exception rather than the rule.”

The impact of bias and stereotypes on females’ self-esteem starts early. Dr. Stauffer cites a recent article called “6-Year-Old Girls Already Have Gendered Beliefs About Intelligence” in The Atlantic magazine about a study by a psychologist at the University of Illinois. The study showed a definite drop in the level of girls’ confidence in their own abilities over the course of just one year.

“Among the 5-year-olds, both boys and girls associated brilliance with their own gender. But among those aged 6 or 7, only the boys still held to that view,” the article reported.

Helping girls develop grit starts with support from solution-oriented parents. For example, when a female high school student thinks about forgoing a 7:30 a.m. pre-calculus class because of transportation issues, parents should go out of their way to help make it possible, Dr. Stauffer said.

“I was raised in a household where my parents would say, ‘what hoop can we jump through to get you there?’ I didn’t realize until later how valuable that was,” Dr. Stauffer said.

Schools, too, can take up the banner as girls progress through their educations, by presenting STEM curricula in innovative ways and offering engaging extra-curricular activities that play to girls’ strengths and interests.

Dr. Stauffer cites as an example programs such as Women in Tech at SSU, a program founded last fall that brings together members of the Society of Women Engineers and Women in Computer Science groups on campus, as well as STEM faculty, to take on special projects.

One of the projects they’ve undertaken is forming a team to participate in the Solar Regatta in Sacramento in May, hosted by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District. The challenge is to retrofit existing boats or build their own and power them using solar energy. Their creations are to be judged on speed, distance, maneuverability and more.

Dr. Stauffer also noted efforts going on at the countywide level to nurture girls’ interests in STEM. She co-chairs with Kathy Goodacre, Executive Director of the Career Technical Education Foundation, an initiative called Community WISE (Women Investing in STEM Equity).

Community WISE seeks to “engineer a STEM learning ecosystem that can capture the minds and hearts of girls and inspire them to pursue and persist in STEM studies and careers,” according to its mission statement.

Dr. Stauffer feels fortunate to hold a position at the nexus of science, technology and education that affords her the opportunity to impact so many young lives. And she finds inspiration in working with students who aspire

to succeed despite the odds often stacked against them.

Among the students she points to is a woman who, while facing many personal challenges, earned a degree in computer science and became a manager at a well-known software company.

“I really admire her for what she was able to achieve, because she had so many skills to tap into that went beyond science and engineering—such as organizational abilities, leadership and vision.”

Grit, continued from page 1

March 2017 | PAGE 9

SONOMA SENIORS TODAYPAGE 10 | March 2017

News flashbackby Carol I. Cuzner

From the Press Democrat From the Press Democrat in 1917:

• January 11: “State Highway Route Through City is Awaited”: The Board of Supervisors took up the decision, after the city of Santa Rosa failed to act, to secure rights of way along Santa Rosa Avenue for the highway being built by the state. Some property owners refused to participate in paving the road.• January 25: The boundaries between Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake counties were to be negotiated and settled by representatives from the respective Boards of Supervisors, to resolve long-standing problems of legal and tax jurisdiction.• March 15: The Board of Supervisors purchased the Armstrong Grove for $70,000. The grove was maintained as a Public Forest Reserve. The referendum held the previous fall to set aside the grove as a county park had passed two to one.• March 15: Ad for Dibbles Women’s Outfitters sale: coats for $9.75 to $15, blouses for $1 to $5.• March 24: “Nation Prepares For War”: The U.S. Congress was to convene April 2 to consider adopting a declaration of war against Germany, due to repeated German torpedoing of American merchant and cruise ships.

Stopping debt collection callsBy Zachary Carroll Director of Legal Services

Our previous column in the November edition of Sonoma Seniors Today discussed how to handle debt collectors

on the phone. However, it did not address actually preventing or ending those types of phone calls. This column will cover different options for avoiding—or at least minimizing—such phone calls.

The first option would be to pay the debt owed. However, if you are inundated with collection calls, paying is most likely not feasible or even possible. Also, if you owe the debt, but are unsure of the amount or there is some other dispute, you may want to obtain legal advice before making a payment.

Bankruptcy is an option to completely stop the calls (for most types of debt). The downside is that a bankruptcy proceeding will cost you a minimum of $1,000. However, if you are dealing with thousands of dollars in debt, this might be a very good option to give yourself a fresh start.

The good news is that most bankruptcy attorneys give free consultations. Even if you do not think you need a bankruptcy, it may be well worth your time to consult with an attorney or two about your particular situation.

If a bankruptcy is not appropriate, there is another option to stop these phone calls. Under the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and California’s corresponding

Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, a debt collector must cease calling you if you send them a written demand. This will not make the debt go away. It also will not stop collectors from communicating by mail or from actually filing a lawsuit against you for the debt. However, in cases where someone has limited income and assets, such a demand letter may suffice to resolve the issue.

Our local Empire College School of Law runs an Elder Law Clinic and can assist a senior (over age 60) in writing a letter to demand that

collection phone calls stop. The Clinic may be contacted at 736-6150. In our next column, we will discuss what to do if you are actually sued by a debt collector.

Zachary A. Carroll, Esq. received his law degree from Empire

College School of Law in 2008. For more information about services, go to

www.councilonaging.com/services/legal-services or call Zachary Carroll directly at 525-0143, ext. 143. We invite you to submit a question for Zachary’s column (with your first name and city) by sending it to [email protected].

Disclaimer: The information provided in this column is general in nature, and cannot be deemed legal advice, nor does it give rise to an attorney-client relationship. The contents of this column are not intended as attorney advertising or as a solicitation for legal services. Our Legal Services Department prepares trusts, wills, advance health care directives and powers of attorney.

Most bankruptcy attorneys give free consultations. Even if you do not think you need a bankruptcy, it may be well worth your time to consult with an attorney or two about your particular situation.

Saturday, May 6, 2017 ~ The Grand Lawn at Chateau St. Jean Winery

______ Admission Ticket: $250 ea. | ______ Table of 10: $2500 | ______ Corporate Table of 10: $2500 (name appears on website and program)

___Check Enclosed | ___Credit Card ____FASTRACK (this card will be on file for express check in and check out) | Amount Enclosed: $________

Name: __________________________ Name: ___________________________ Phone: _________________ | Email: ____________________________

Mailing Address: __________________________________________________ City, State Zip ___________________________________________________

Card Type: ___________ Card Number: ___________________________________________________ Exp: ________ CVV Code: _____________

18th Annual Derby Day Benefitting Meals on Wheels + Council on Aging

Yes I Want to Attend!

*FAST TRACK REGISTRATION* For expedited check in, please provide your guests’ names, email and phone number on additional pieces of paper. We will contact your guests directly for the rest of

their contact information. If we do not have names, phone number, email and an address for each guest they will have to wait in potentially long Will Call lines. Providing all necessary information will help you and your guests avoid long lines!

Please contact Tina McKenzie at 707-525-0143 ext. 100 or [email protected] for questions or additional information on tables and tickets.

SONOMA SENIORS TODAY

Senior Center highlights

March Crossword Puzzle Solution on page 12

March 2017 | PAGE 11

*Answers found in this issue

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, go to 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 12.)

Across 1 Volcanic output 4 Mah jong pieces 9 What brides walk down14 “Yea ___ I walk ...”15 Carl Jung's "self"16 Tiny circus performers17 Gel18 Pay19 Imperfections20 A way to remove unwanted hair23 On the water24 Ms. Brockovich25 Although28 What girls develop *30 Water down32 A lifesaver35 Aides38 Long, long time41 It helps with mess42 Hayseed43 Large bed46 Man mouse link47 Require48 Cleopatra's Antony51 Compass point (abbrv.)52 Dork55 Sweetie59 Foundation61 Unexpected pinch64 Light lunch65 Take off66 A type of light67 Ham it up68 Place for a cat69 Concert _____70 Homer71 Time in BaltimoreDown 1 Not in port 2 Continental _____ 3 Inn 4 Fish sauce 5 Inaction 6 Long ride 7 French novelist Zola 8 Goatlike friend of Dionysus 9 Predilection10 Woes11 Ocean12 Elder ___ Clinic *13 Sharp curve21 Bike driver22 Cradle malady25 Game with three dice26 Say27 Palo Alto based car company29 Shaming sounds

31 Southeast Asian32 Coffee shops33 Menial workers34 Something that can be adopted *36 Command to Fido37 Part of a list39 Gun activist organization40 Rotators44 A type of light45 Emit49 Give unto Caesar50 A place for garbage53 Password work54 Emotional tension56 Dig through57 “Fear and Loathing __ ___ Vegas”58 Home of the Great Sphinx59 One taking illicit drugs60 Plan an overthrow61 A new kind of economy *62 Lennon's love63 4-5=

Q:

A:

How can you invest in the well-being of Sonoma County seniors?Set up a charitable trust or estate plan that will help us feed and care for seniors now and into the future.For information on how you can help Sonoma County seniors, call Marrianne McBride, President & CEO,707.525.0143, Ext. 111.

The Council on Aging is proud to announce that the Endowment Fund is managed by Exchange Bank. The Exchange Bank continuously serves Sonoma County community charitable endeavors.

For more information, call 707.524.3151.

If your kids are giving you a headache, follow the directions on the aspirin bottle, especially the part that says, “keep away from children.”

~ Susan Savannah

Sebastopol Senior Center

167 N High St, Sebastopol, 829-2440 sebastopolseniorcenter.org

• Wednesday, March 15, 3 p.m.—Seniors and Cannabis: Come find out if cannabis is right for you, and have your questions answered by a professional. Join Mitcho Thompson for this fun and informative workshop on medical cannabis. • March 17, 5:30 p.m.—St. Patrick’s Day Corned Beef Feed Friday, Sebastopol Community Center, 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. Tickets $35 in advance $40 at the door. Takeaway food available at 5:30 p.m. while it lasts. Ticket information available online.• Third Thursday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.—Glucose & Blood Pressure Screening. Just drop-in.• First and third Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.—Elder Law Outreach Program Legal services for adults, ages 55-plus. Priority will be given to seniors with limited resources. Free of charge. Call 340-5610 for appointment.

Windsor Senior Center9231 Foxwood Drive, Windsor, 838-1250 townofwindsor.com

• Wednesday, March 22, 2-3 p.m.—Recycling Presentation. This free recycle presentation reviews the path of trash and better ways to help the environment by reducing, reusing, and recycling. There will be a display of recycle and landfill materials and clarification between the two. Please come with your questions about recycling, compost and landfill. Please call 838-1250 by March 15 to sign up.• Thursday, March 30, 1-4 p.m.—Age Well Drive Smart Seminar. Presented by the California Highway Patrol, this free program is designed to help senior drivers: tune up their driving skills; refresh their knowledge of the rules of the road; learn about normal age related physical changes and how to adjust to these changes; become better, safer and more alert drivers; discuss when it may be time to limit or stop; and understand alternatives to driving. Call 838-1250 by March 23 to sign up.• Tuesdays, ongoing, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.—Tai Chi. Learn to meditate in motion, have fun and relax. Develop mental and physical flexibility and reduce your stress. Tai Chi will strengthen your immune system, enhance body alignment, improve circulation and improve your balance. The cost is $6 to drop in.

SONOMA SENIORS TODAY

Save the Date (Events are free unless otherwise indicated)Working for YouInformation & Assistance/Case Navigator:Do you need help with senior resources? Call us any time for information, assistance and help managing resources. Call 525-0143. Sebastopol sen iors only: call the Russian River Senior Center at 869-0618.

Senior Financial Services:Our bonded and insured counselors assist individuals who are unable to handle bill paying, checkbook reconcilia-tion, eligibility documentation for retire ment programs, and other financial needs relative to their daily money management. This program is especially designed for the forgetful senior or someone 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 to access services and programs that help them develop skills and social support, leading to a more constructive 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 $40. 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 285,000 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.

The Noble Spoon:The Noble Spoon is the Council on Aging’s affordable gourmet option, available at select fine grocery stores, that offers restaurant-quality, fine dining entrées prepared fresh and ready for microwave or oven. See councilonaging.com/TheNobleSpoon for links to store locations.

Senior Social Club:This service has helped hundreds of people to recon nect with others through our Adult Day Program activities, 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, and provide respite for family members. Call Laurel Anderson at 525-0143, ext. 103.

Senior Legal Services:Available are simple trusts, wills and durable powers of attorney for health care and finance. Please call 525-0143, ext. 140, for an appointment.

Senior Care Navigator:Our experienced staff provides advocacy-based long-term care management for seniors 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 opportunities for posi-tive change and maintaining quality of life. We work in collaboration with home health care agencies and pro-vide integrated services through other Council on Aging services. Our fees are very competitive with private care managers in our community. Call 525-0143.

March 4: Parkinson’s Support Group. Dave Iverson, a broadcast journalist and filmmaker with KQED and the Michael J Fox Foundation. “Addition in the Face of Subtraction (When Disease and Identity Intersect)” at 1717 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa, 1-3:15 p.m. People with Parkinson’s, families and caregivers welcome. Call 538-5178 or 431-8767.March 16: The Village Network of Petaluma will hold a free information meeting for older adults and family members at 402 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma from 11 a.m.–noon. This is an innovative, fun and affordable solution to aging in community with peer support. Call 776-6055 or email [email protected]. Go to www.

villagenetworkofpetaluma.org for more information.March 24: Local program to support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) seniors, the LGBT Seniors Outreach Project, has begun offering training and events at three local senior centers, while also planning the spring launch of the LGBTQI Senior Information and Assistance Program to increase elders’ access to social services for healthy aging. The first LGBT Senior Welcome Reception will be from 2-4 p.m. at the Finley Person Senior Wing Auditorium, 2060 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa. For information, call 543-3737. Nancy Flaxman, MSW, and Gary “Buz” Hermes, M.A. return as content experts for the Outreach Project.

March Crossword solution

PAGE 12 | March 2017

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Service - 2017 Sonoma and Napa Counties OUR HELP IS FREE, INDIVIDUALIZED, AND WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED. WE ARE HERE IN YOUR COMMUNITY TO HELP YOU. Location Hours Start / End Date and phone # (707) Cloverdale Senior Multipurpose Center 311 N. Main St., Cloverdale, 95425

Thurs 10 am - 2 pm February 2 / April 13 894-4826

Franklin Park Clubhouse 2095 Franklin Ave., Santa Rosa, 95404

Mon through Thurs 9 am – 3 pm

February 1 / April 13 490-4025

First United Methodist Church - Stony Point Campus, 2150 Giffen Ave., Santa Rosa, 95407

Thurs 9 am - 3 pm

February 9 / April 13 578-5931

Healdsburg Regional Library 139 Piper St., Healdsburg, 95448

Wed 10 am - 3 pm February 1 / April 12 433-3772

Napa Senior Center 1500 Jefferson St., Napa, 94559

Tues & Fri 9 am - 2 pm (appointment only)

February 3 / April 14 257-9605

Oakmont Village 6633 Oakmont Dr. Rm D/G, Santa Rosa, 95409

Mon & Wed 9 am - 3 pm (time slots available)

February 1 / April 12 539-1611

Petaluma Community Center 320 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, 94954

Mon 9 am - 2 pm February 6 / April 17 778-4380

Rincon Valley Regional Library 6959 Montecito Blvd., Santa Rosa 9509

Fri 1 pm - 5 pm Three Saturdays, 11 am - 3 pm

February 3 / April 14 April 1, 8, 15 537-0162

Rohnert Park Senior Center 6800 Hunter Dr., Rohnert Park, 94928

Fri 8:30 am - 1 pm February 3 / April 14 585-6788

St. Helena Public Library 1492 Library Lane, St Helena, 94574

Thurs 10 am - 3 pm February 2 / April 6 963-5244 x101

Sebastopol Veterans Memorial Bldg – SCA 282 High St., Sebastopol, 95472

Thurs 9 am - 2:30 pm February 2/ April 13 799-2254

Spring Lake Village – Montgomery Center 5555 Montgomery Dr., Santa Rosa, 95409

Tues 8 am - 2 pm (appointment only)

February 7 / April 18 538-4851

Vintage House Sonoma 264 1st St. East, Sonoma, 95476

Mon & Wed 9 am - 12 noon

February 1 / April 17 996-0311

Windsor Senior Center 9231 Foxwood Dr., Windsor, 95492

Thurs 9 am - 1 pm

February 2 / April 13 838-1250

January 10, 2017