Ashby Village News, June 2011

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MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Distributed to Village members and to others who have expressed an interest.

The Ashby Village Member Digest, published between newsletters, is not available to the public.

In This Issue

Upcoming Events

Word on the Street

Help!

Volunteers & Vendors

Milestones

Contacts

Contact Us

2330 Durant Ave
Berkeley, CA 94704

(510) 204-9200

info@ashbyvillage.org

On the Web

www.ashbyvillage.org

June 2011

It Takes a Village

At our recent board meeting I was struck, with each committee report, by the time, effort and determination being put into building Ashby Village on all fronts: events, services, membership, social services, outreach, finance and board development. I continue to be inspired by this committed community of peers using their varied and well-hewn skills to jointly craft our Village.

Board Members at Meeting, 5/25/11

(Back: Barbi Jo Stim, Bob Davis, Laura Peck, Betty Webster, Shirley Haberfeld, Jane Selby, Marcia Freedman, Andra Lichtenstein, Patricia Sussman; Front: Andy Gaines. Not in photo: Marj Wolf)

This month, I'd like to share with you an informative article about Ashby Village and the Village movement that Marlene Bagdikian and Marcia Freedman, Ashby Village members, wrote for the UC Berkeley Resource Center on Aging. It begins:

Seniors in the East Bay who want to remain in their own homes and communities when life grows more difficult and complicated at last have a way to make that possible. They can join Ashby Village, a virtual village that offers members an amazing array of services...

To read more, CLICK HERE

Please call us at 510-204-9200 to talk about how Ashby Village can help you and your family.

-- Executive Director Andy Gaines

LAST CALL: Early Renewal Raffle

As previously announced, members who renew their membership before June 15 will be entered into a raffle for a Dinner for Two at Chez Panisse. Early renewals will not take effect until the anniversary of the date you joined. The winner will be announced in the upcoming Member Digest. To download a Renewal Application, CLICK HERE.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Activities sponsored by Ashby Village

FRIDAY, June 17, 10:00-11:30

NATURE WALK AT CESAR CHAVEZ PARK

Visit the burrowing owls and enjoy a leisurely morning walk led by California State Park Ranger and naturalist Nancy Cerridwyn. Please bring a friend, and wear layers to stay warm.

Cesar Chavez State Park, 11 Spinnaker Way, Berkeley
Drive west on University over I-80. When you come to a fork in the road, turn right and proceed past the hotel. Park near the turnaround and we will meet there.
Open to members and up to two guests
Wheelchair-accessible.
RSVP here, or call our office at (510) 204-9200. Let us know if you need a ride.

WEDNESDAY, June 29, 4:00-6:00 p.m.

NUTRITION FOR THE WISE YEARS

Whole Food Guide Come meet Helayne Waldman, faculty member at Bauman College of Holistic Nutrition . Helene specializes in women's health and aging and is author of A Whole Foods Guide for Breast Cancer Survivors. Helayne will cover topics from blood sugar to bone health -- for men and women. Bring your questions and a friend to be part of this valuable discussion!

Jewish Family and Children's Services, Suse Moyal Center for Older Adults, 2484 Shattuck Ave. (corner of Dwight Way). Street parking is available in front for 90 minutes (there will be a break to move cars) or on Blake Street for two hours.
Wheelchair-accessible
Open to members and up to two guests
RSVP here, or call our office at (510) 204-9200. Let us know if you need a ride.

SUNDAY, JULY 17, 2:00-4:00 p.m.

LIVING ROOM CHAT

These chats, typically hosted by Ashby Village members, will give you an opportunity to hear from our Board, staff, and members about what it means to be part of the Village.

Home of Eva Yarmo, 2776 Hilgard Ave, Berkeley
Open to all
Wheelchair-accessible.
RSVP here, or call our office at (510) 204-9200. Let us know if you need a ride

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WORD ON THE STREET

A DREAM NO LONGER

Founders: Shirley Haberfeld and Pat Sussman

Founders Shirley Haberfeld and Patricia Sussman

Last year at this time we made the transition from "dreaming" about Ashby Village to launching Ashby Village. There were still many many questions and what-ifs. At launch, the Ashby Village community already had 81 members signed up and ready to go. In addition there were the community organizations who believed in Ashby Village - our fiscal agent LifeLong Medical Care, our landlord the First Congregational Church of Berkeley, many community leaders and organizations, supporting us and believing in the importance of the Ashby Village community.

Ashby Village is not a dream any longer and as we enter our second year we want to thank everyone - members, volunteers, board members, You have all contributed to Ashby Village's growth as a vital organization that is relevant to our community now and in the future.

-- Patricia Sussman

Ashby Village Board Chair

HELPING HEALING

Frozen yogurt delivery, prunes and prescription pick-up, pastries and tulips, split pea soup, cookies, caring professional advice from nurse and a social worker all came my way through Ashby Village. I want to thank Thelma Peck, Marion Anderson, Elaine Hooker and Charlotte Herzfeld who played such an important role in helping me heal after surgery on my knee. This is another example of the assistance the Village can provide and I want to call out the names of these wonderful women to whom I am so grateful.

-- Irene Marcos

MAKING THE VILLAGE COME ALIVE

Living Room Chat participants at Joan Cole and Bob Wendlinger's Home June 5th

I can't thank you enough for all of the support and good feeling that you brought to the Living Room Chat at my home. I was particularly happy that Russ Ellis and Julie Shearer were there to talk about their experiences; I think that having members tell their stories about how Ashby Village works for them adds a great deal to the mix. It makes the Village come alive in an important way.

It was a fine event and I am certain that we will be hearing from a number of folks who are considering joining and just need a bit of time to think about it. I saw several of them at my morning swim and they were excited about the message and the people. A great combination, right?

-- Joan Cole

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HELP!

Village needs and opportunities

SEEKING EDITOR

This person would work with the Board and the Executive Director to come up with story ideas, then edit the material and format stories and photos in a software program, Constant Contact. The newsletter comes out once a month and goes to members and anyone who has expressed interest in Ashby Village. There's also a simpler Member Digest that comes out once a month. It lists activities of interest to members and includes reports by members of various activities. If interested, please contact andy@ashbyvillage.org

SEEKING ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

In the next several months, we are hoping to have sufficient funds to hire a part-time administrator. Until that time, however, we are seeking a volunteer to join the executive director at least 15 hours each week to assist with oversight of the office corps, administration and bookkeeping. If interested, please contact andy@ashbyvillage.org

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VOLUNTEERS & VENDORS

MEDPAL PROGRAM

MedPal held its first advanced volunteer training this month. Topics covered included transportation to and from medical appointments, laboratory or pharmacy, and assisting members with:

formulating questions for the medical practitioner prior to the appointment
completing paperwork such as medical office forms
documenting important medical information provided during the appointment
scheduling follow-up appointments

The importance of privacy and confidentiality to protect Ashby Village members was stressed. Participants in the training brought a broad array of experience including social work, psychology, nursing and technical computer expertise to the discussion. If you are interested in joining this MedPal volunteer corps please contact Marion at marion_m_anderson@comcast.net.

HOME SAFETY AND ACCESSIBILITY PROGRAM

At our recent Home Safety and Accessibility Seminar, more than 20 members and staff received information on correcting minor hazards that can lead to major injuries, fire safety and smoke alarms, electrical and fire safety, and being prepared for our next natural disaster. CLICK HERE to read complete notes.

Since that time, the Home Safety and Accessibility Program has continued its preparations. Participation is invited in the following areas:

Several additional volunteers are being sought to be trained to conduct home assessments.
Members are invited to submit their names for free home assessments that will be conducted in coming months.
Several smoke alarms that have been recommended by Berkeley Fire Department are available for purchase for $20, 2 for $35.

Please contact the office if you are interested in any of the above.

APPRECIATION: Bob Davis

Bob Davis at his home

Bob Davis is one of the pillars of Ashby Village, participating in many areas to support its growth and success. Bob drives members to the doctor, to groceries, and to events. He attends Ashby Village events, including many Living Room Chats at which he speaks about his appreciation for the Village. He sponsors and helps to produce our community events at Northbrae Church. As a member of the Board, Bob attends monthly meetings and does outreach to other communities. We cannot express how grateful we are for his assistance.

Joan Diamond interviewed Bob and wrote about his full, multi-faceted life. Her compelling narrative begins:

Bob is a handsome man with a keen intellect and sparkling joyful eyes. We sat sipping coffee in his beautiful home high above Berkeley with a panoramic view of the SF Bay and Golden Gate Bridge. He openly shared his life stories...

To read more, CLICK HERE.

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MILESTONES

Retirements, book publications, art openings . . .

Joe Selby Selected to Lead Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (PCORI)

Joe and Jane Selby dancing at the Ashby Village Holiday Party

It was recently announced that Ashby Village Charter Member Joe Selby -- husband of Board Member Jane Selby -- was selected as the first executive director of the Patient-Focused Outcomes Research Insitute (PCORI). PCORI is an independent, non-profit organization that was created to provide patients and those who care for them information they can use to evaluate prevention, diagnosis and treatment options and make more informed health decisions. Jane and Joe will be relocating to Washington, D.C., for what they promise will be no more than four years, time enough to get this new program solidly moving. We'll miss them very much, and are determined to hold them to their word!

Introducing Joe Selby CLICK HERE to view a short video profile of Joe V. Selby, MD, MPH, Executive Director of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) and Former Director of the Division of Research at Kaiser Permanente Northern California.