 
NEWSLETTER
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In this newsletter you will read about how you can utilize Ashby Village services, see how other members use them, and how you can help build a dynamic, thriving Ashby Village.
We are pleased that we've initiated a series of regular communications to keep you well informed:
- Once each month you will receive this ASHBY VILLAGE NEWS, filled with information, stories, ways you can help and Ashby Village Updates.
- Each of the other three weeks you will receive our new ASHBY VILLAGE WEEKLY DIGEST, announcing upcoming Ashby Vilage events, as well as other items of interest taking place in the greater community.
- In coming weeks you will receive a call from our Membership Committee to welcome you in person to Ashby Village and to see how we can help.
Read on, and please let us know what you think! |
Feature Article
| | Ashby Village can really do that?
In our first months of services we have a delightful challenge: we have a core of vetted and trained Volunteers who are ready and waiting for your calls...
While many of you have joined Ashby Village as "insurance" in the event you ever have needs, we are here now to help. Some of requests we have served to date -- either directly, or through referral to a service provider -- have included: - my sink is leaking; I need a plumber
- my home is old; I need someone to inspect it and see if there's anything that needs to be done.
- I need someone to fix my doorbell
- I'm needing to address my stress and am seeking a meditation teacher
- I'm not feeling well and need a ride to the doctor and back
- I'm going away and want someone to check in on my wife
If you read no further in this newsletter, please hear its main message: CALL US (240-7200)!
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Staff Notes
| | From the Executive Director
On September 15, Janis Brewer (our Interim ED) handed me that baton of Ashby Village. With all the orientation, I was astounded to discover how many details, projects and people that I now had to manage. On behalf of the Board, I want to express deep gratitude for the skill and grace with which Janis lay a strong foundation for this Village.
 Every day since has been a marathon, working dilligently to fortify our systems, enroll new interns and volunteers, support productive committees, and cultivate partnerships with allies in the community.
All of this busy-ness, however, is coupled with delight. Last Wednesday I spoke with Village members at our Tea & Chat. Tomorrow eve I will bring my family to the first Ashby Village potluck. Now, late Saturday evening, I sit with my cup of tea to write to my increasingly dear Village family...
What we are creating at Ashby Village is remarkable. The wisdom, power, commitment and generosity of our Board, our members, and our volunteers is exceptional. Our vision -- to craft a Village that will support our members to age in community with confidence and care -- is happening. YOU are a pioneer in this venture. I very much look forward to meeting you, and know that we are here, ready and waiting to serve.
Andrew Gaines
Executive Director
Farewell from the interim Executive Director
It has been my distinct pleasure to have served as your Interim Executive Director for the past 6 months. I have so enjoyed working with all of you - board members, volunteers and community members alike. Thank you all for your help along the way and for sticking with the Village as it began it's exciting growth. You are on a wonderful trajectory toward a full and fulfilling Village and I wish you all the best of luck with this exciting endeavour.
Ashby Village completes its second volunteer training
 September 25th, Tami Blaj, the consultant who designed the Ashby Village volunteer program, conducted our second training. This group of trainees had a commendable range of diversity, including participants aged 21 to 72, a wide range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, members, college students, and supporters in the community. Topics included: Volunteer Program Guideline; Issues of Aging and How We Cope; Diversity and Sensitivity; Body Mechanics; and more. Ashby Village would like to thank Tami Blaj for her fabulous assistance in setting up a thriving Volunteer Program!
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| How You Can Help | | Help organize outreach
We currently seek support in two different areas to more effectively spread the word about Ashby Village: - Social Marketing. Do you have skills in database design and management, internet advertising, copy editing and writing, or website design? Please email Marcia if yould you be willing to help.
- We're getting ready to begin tabling at Farmer's Markets! We are seeking someone to join in the planning and organize volunteer support. If interested, please email Andy
To date we have hosted over 15 chats, where members invite people they know to their homes to learn more about the benefits of membership. If you have a few friends, relations, neighbors who are curious about Ashby Village, please consider hosting a Sunday afternoon gathering. A steady flow of new members brings in new resources, new talents, new volunteers and builds the Village that supports us all.
We make it easy! You send the invitations; we show up to make a presentation, bring materials, and answer questions. Better yet, co-host and share the fun and the work!
Our members have also sponsored presentations about Ashby Village at their church, synagogue and professional association. We have a great story to tell and we want to get the word out!
Considering hosting? Have an idea for where we might present? Email Laura Peck or call 510-524-3150.
Host a potluck supper (or be sure to not miss the next one!)
This past Sunday night 17 members gathered for our first Potluck & Poetry. It was a great success, with fine food, conversation and sharing of prose! We're seeking to make this a monthly event, so please email Tobey if you would be interested in hosting.
Recommend service providers
The Ashby Village Service Committee has been made great progress in securing at least three Providers for each category on our Preferred Provider Network List. We still need providers in the following areas, and look to you for recommendations of ones with whom you have great confidence:
- Appliance Purchase
- Appliance Repair
- Auto Conversion for Disabled Drivers
- Babysitters
- Bicycle Repair
- Bookkeepers
- Chimney Repair/Mason
- Mediators
- Pet Walkers
- Soil Engineers
- Stereo Repair
- Tailor
- Tax Preparers
- Trash Removal
- Upholsterer
- Window Replacement
Please email us your recommendations!
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Upcoming Events
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Performance: A Pensive Spring
Tuesday, October 19th, 8:00 pm
Ashby Village tickets SOLD OUT. Call (510) 525-5211 or check the website at www.berkeleychamberperform.org for tickets.
Tea & Chat
Wednesday, October 20, 3:00 - 4:30 pm
Ashby Village Office
Living Room Chat
Sunday, October 24th from 3:00 to 5:00 pm
Co-hosted by Nancy Bardacke and Janice Weingrod
2814 Russell Street, Berkeley
Reading and Discussion with Carolyn North
Thursday, November 4th
"The Experience of a Lifetime: Living Fully, Dying Consciously"
Monthly Lunch Out
Monday, November 15th at noon
Filippos, 2930 College Ave in the Elmwood District
and reserve on your calendar:
Ashby Village Holiday Party
December 6, 3:00 to 5:00 pm
for Members and their families; details coming...
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Member Notes
| | Remembering Lynn Forthman
Rose L. " Lynn ' Forthman, one of our new members, recently succumbed to injuries she received after being struck by a hit and run driver in late August. While she had appeared to be progressing well, she died suddenly from circumstances yet to be determined.
Lynn had looked forward to volunteering her time and energy to Ashby Village, which she and her husband, Bob, had recently joined. Bob and Lynn have no close family members , thus some Ashby Village members stepped in to provide support to Bob and assisted him in resolving some of those difficult issues that follows the death of one's spouse.
There will be a memorial to honor Lynn on November 6, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda, Berkeley. Hopefully, there will be a good turn out of members to provide Bob the support he need. Bob is inviting Ashby Village members to join him in honoring Lynn. If you wish to donate in Lynn's memory may make donations to Ashby Village (2330 Durant Avenue, Berkeley 94704) or to Lifelong Medical Care (PO Box 11247, Berkeley 94712).
Testimonials
How exciting! We have just had our first encounter with using the Ashby Village referral system. We needed a good reliable plumber, and SOON. Our kitchen sink was flooding and we couldn't find where the leak was coming from. We called Ashby Village and they gave us several referrals, including "Naomi the Plumber". She was just what we needed, and she also fixed a 5 year long slow seepage on an outside pipe all within 1/2 hour!
-- Tari French
I feel as if I've entered another doorway---I had been thinking that this was my last life in this life; for the first time I was in sync, midway in the 80th decade in my 8th life. I believe in the reality of years. On some level, I began preparation for the inevitable. Then, I became a resident of Ashby Village. At first, I was not clear about what this meant to me. I wasn't sure what kind of an experience it was going to be. Then it hit me! We are, we can consciously build a Village. And we have a chance of letting it grow from the inside out. That's where I want to live. How about you?
-- Thelma Peck
I want to thank Ashby Village for responding to my request and making a volunteer available to my wife during my brief trip to Maine following my brother's death and being with my sister during this grieving period, My wife Merle has been recovering from hip replacement surgery, and it gave me peace of mind to knkow she had someone to call if necessary. This is exactly what we had hoped for when we joined Ashby Village.
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| Save 10% |
Ashby Village Membership
10% discounted rate for the first year of membership
plus one year of membership renewal
$675
(regularly $750 per member)
$1,080
(regularly $1,200 per household)
| | Offer Expires: 12/31/10 |
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