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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 available to members only.
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THANK YOU
SERVICE VOLUNTEERS
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Marion
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Anderson
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Paul
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Axelrod
| | Marlene |
Bagdikian
| | Jimmy |
Baker
| | Stephanie |
Baker
| | Sy |
Blisseth
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Roxanne
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Borcich
| | Tom |
Boyden
| | Ronnie |
Boynton
| | Ada |
Burko
| | Patricia |
Carvalho
| | Susan |
Chainey
| | Derrell |
Chambers
| Sam
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Ciafalo
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Alison
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Colgan
| | Luciano |
Corazza
| | Gloria |
Davis
| Robert
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Davis
| Isabella
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DiBari
| | Jim |
Durkin
| | Ilse |
Eden
| | Shelley |
Finnigan
| Ellen
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Gierson
| | Martha |
Gilbertson
| | Elizabeth |
Gillis
| | Mark |
Goldman
| | Lula |
Greene
| | Shirley |
Haberfeld
| | Carmel |
Hara
| | Margaret |
Havey
| | Evelyn |
Hendricks
| | Charlotte |
Herzfeld
| | Kirsch |
Howard
| | Gayle |
Jacobson
| | Veta |
Jacqulin
| | Sondra |
Jensen
| | Darryl |
Katz
| | Bob |
Kelly
| | Howard |
Kirsch
| | Jonmi |
Koo
| | Deborah |
Levy
| | Alice |
Lonsdale
| | Hilary |
Lorraine
| | Kamilla |
Maciel
| | Irene |
Marcos
| | Krystyn |
Marshman
| | Margaret |
Mason
| | Michelle |
McGuinness
| | Julianne |
Morris
| | Milt |
Mozen
| | Laura |
Natkins
| | Margi |
Neidorf
| | Roger |
Newman
| | Natalie |
Peterson
| | Roberta |
Pressman
| | Liz |
Raymer
| | Cherry |
Reilly
| | Sarah |
Robson
| | Irene |
Rosenthal
| | Sylvia |
Russell
| | Giancarlo |
Scalise
| | Caryl |
Scharpf
| | Julie |
Schliesser
| | Sandy |
Simon
| | Barbie Jo |
Stim
| | Joan |
Strand
| | Patricia |
Sussman
| | Carol |
Takaki
| | Jan |
Taradash
| | Susan |
Tieger
| | Pat |
Ungern
| | January |
Van Meter
| | Grace |
Wahlberg
| | Barbara |
Warsavage
| | Bruce |
Watts
| | Wynette |
Weaver
| | Betty |
Webster
| | Alan |
Wei
| | Julia |
White
| | Marjorie |
Wolf
| | Minning |
Wu
| | Larry |
Yabroff
| | Valerie |
Yeakel
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Recognizing Service Volunteers
One thing that continues to amaze me about Ashby Village is the number of volunteers and their competence and commitment when they respond to the service requests of members and provide office support, all helping to build the organization. Last Thursday, I walked in to see seven people working diligently in their stations around the office. I ripped out my iPhone, and captured the following:
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A glimpse inside the Ashby Village Office
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An organization with almost 200 members and two paid staff, Ashby Village is primarily a volunteer organization. We have two types of volunteers:- "Service Volunteers" who provide ongoing transportation, companionship and assistance for our members. They go through a rigorous vetting process that includes an interview, reference and background checks, orientation and training.
- "Organization Volunteers" who support the ongoing development and operations of Ashby Village. These people participate on our Board, on committees and work on projects in a wide range of areas.
While both groups are essential for the successful functioning of Ashby Village, this newsletter focuses on recognizing our service volunteers. The left column recognizes the service volunteers who are currently active and those who are going through the approval process. Following is a brief sketch of their composition: |
SERVICE VOLUNTEERS
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83
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Active
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41
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Pending
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42
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Member
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35
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Non-Member
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48
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Female
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66
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Male
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17
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Our goal this year is to continue to build a dynamic, effective and engaged community of volunteers within our Village. --Andy Gaines, Executive Director Volunteers Take the Wheel
Most of us think nothing of hopping into our car to get to the grocery store or across town to visit a friend. We don't really think about losing this part of our independence. However, some Ashby Village members have given up driving for one reason or another, and their feelings of independence have diminished.
Since most of our members wish to remain in their own homes as long as possible, not driving impacts that wish. This is where the wonderful Ashby Village volunteers enter the picture.
Recently, a member had an appointment with her doctor but was unable to drive herself so she called the office to request a volunteer who could give her a ride. Most volunteers have their own cars, but can drive a member's car if necessary. On this particular day, the volunteer arrived in her own car and drove the member to the doctor's office. The volunteer sat in the waiting room while the member was being seen. Usually a volunteer just takes the patient home right after the visit, however in this case, the volunteer was both a driver and a MedPal volunteer. These specially trained volunteers not only drive, but at the request of the member will go into the visit with the doctor and serve as an extra set of eyes and ears. Here's what happened:
A visit to a doctor is often a tension-filled time for many patients who do not keep notes. In this particular instance, after the visit, the member asked the volunteer if she would write down the member's recollection of what the doctor had found and the medication he had prescribed. She found that remembering these complicated results and medical prescriptions was difficult for her. Our member also asked the volunteer if she minded asking the doctor to repeat what the doctor had found - and the doctor was happy to do. Driving home the patient and volunteer got a prescription filled. Once at the member's home, she asked the volunteer to repeat and explain everything just to be sure she understood. The volunteer was happy to comply. --Written by Ben Bagdikian |
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Activities sponsored by Ashby Village
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For a link to the calendar on the ashbyvillage.org website, CLICK HERE
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 10:00-noon TIME CORRECTION
NATURE WALK: Arrowhead Marsh
This walk is especially good for watching bird migrations. The first hour will be spent as a single group, followed by guided walks for fast and slower-paced travel. We will continue onto Sushi House in Alameda for lunch around 11:45am.
- Open to all.
- Wheelchair-accessible.
- RSVP here or call our office at (510) 204-9200.
- Let us know if you need a ride.
- Directions to Arrowhead Marsh and Sushi House will be sent upon receipt of RSVP.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2:00-4:00 p.m. DATE CORRECTION
Getting Your Affairs In Order
It sounds so easy and it makes so much sense, doesn't it? We know that's what we should do so we don't leave a mess for the loved ones we leave behind, so why don't we do it? In this presentation, David Gill will discuss the obstacles to proper estate organization and how to overcome them. His work in this area is called Estate Service: Organize + Manage + Resolve, and his experience comes from years of helping family, friends and clients put their affairs in order and/or resolve and distribute estates. In addition, he spent over 40 years in healthcare administration and managing businesses for himself and others. If you want to learn more before the meeting, read this short piece on his blog.
- Open to members and up to two guests.
- 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 of the building for 90 minutes (there will be a break to move cars) or on Blake Street for two hours.
- Wheelchair-accessible.
- RSVP here, or call our office at (510) 204-9200.
- Let us know if you need a ride.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
PRESENTATION & DISCUSSION: Citizenship & Immigration in East Asia
The landscape of "immigration and citizenship" in East Asia is much different from that in Europe. Although some of the regions' more affluent nations admit foreign workers, most of them arrive as temporary contract workers without access to citizenship rights. Keiko Yamanaka, an instructor in Asian American Studies, will focus on Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan, and a major country of emigration: the Philippines. She will also discuss how China deploys its large rural migrant populations in the major coastal cities. She will investigate how immigration and emigration policies of each country fill the gap between the official rhetoric of "skilled workers only" and the reality in which basic labor and human rights of immigrant workers are denied. The gathering will then be opened for questions and discussion. - Open to Members and up to 2 guests.
- Home of Keiko Yamanaka, 240 Willamette Ave., Kensington
- This home is not wheelchair-accessible. The home has banisters for the front yard to the front door.
- RSVP here or call our office at (510) 204-9200.
- Let us know if you need a ride.
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Sunday, March 4, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
MEMBER FORUM: Planning for Sustainability
Since October, a diverse group of Ashby Village members has been developing a "Plan for Sustainability," initiated by the Archstone Foundation grant. An essential
part of this exercise is to solicit and incorporate the ideas from the entire membership so that this can truly be an exercise that engages all of Ashby Village's stakeholders. This planning process will be until this summer. This Forum, facilitated by Laura Peck, will be the first of several contacts with the membership to gain their input in the process and the eventual outcome. Steve Lustig and Bill Webster will give a short presentation on the progress so far, and the community will be asked to add their thoughts and feedback. There will also be plenty of time for members to just hang out and talk with each other. - Open to members.
- Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda in Berkeley. There is a parking lot in the rear of the building, and street parking is available.
- Wheelchair accessible.
- RSVP here or call our office at (510) 204-9200.
- Let us know if you need a ride.
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THURSDAY, MARCH 8, NOON
LUNCH at Bacheeso's
Connect with other Ashby Village members while dining on Mediterranean inspired cuisine in a delightful setting. - Open to members and up to two guests.
- Bacheeso's, 2650 Telegraph Avenue (at Derby)
- Off street parking available.
- Wheelchair-accessible.
- RSVP here, or call our office at (510) 204-9200.
- Let us know if you need a ride.
Saturday, March 10, begins at 11:00 a.m. Potluck Lunch, Reading and Conversation
Carolyn North will be reading from the chapter on aging in her newly completed book The Experience of a Lifetime: Living Fully, Dying Consciously as a way of starting a conversation on this subject so interesting to all of us. Carolyn and Herb will have a platter of bagels and lox; please bring whatever you love best for weekend brunches. - Home of Carolyn North and Herb Strauss, 2447 Prince Street (near Bateman Park - look for the big cedar tree).
- Limited to 25 people. Friends from South Berkeley/North Oakland especially encouraged to attend.
- This home is not wheelchair accessible.
- RSVP here or call our office at (510) 204-9200.
- Let us know if you need a ride.
FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 10:00-noon
NATURE WALK: Cesar Chavez Park- Visiting the Burrowing Owls
- Open to all.
- Details to follow in upcoming publications.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
BOOK READING: Breaking out of Bedlam
Calling all readers & writers! Leslie Larson will read from her novel, answer your questions, and talk about the process of writing and publishing as well as the hazards of using family secrets as the basis for a novel. The New York Times called Leslie's second novel, Breaking Out of Bedlam, "A kick." Publishers Weekly said, "Delightful,  plenty of heart and humor." And the Boston Globe called it, "A funny, touching novel."Breaking Out of Bedlam was an AARP Hot Pick and is a finalist for France's Chronos Prize in Literature, awarded by the National Foundation of Gerontology. - Open to members and up to two guests.
- 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 of the building for 90 minutes (there will be a break to move cars) or on Blake Street for two hours.
- 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 | | |
Faces and Voices of Ashby Village Service Volunteers
 "I went over to a volunteer who needed someone to make chicken soup for her. When I got to her house, she surprised me by saying a neighbor had come by and had made the soup for her, so there was no need anymore. I asked her if there was a way to be helpful since I was already there. She said she had some ironing which she really couldn't do but had been hesitant to ask about and was that a possibility? I hadn't ironed in years, but I said I'd give it a try. We set up an ironing board in her kitchen. I ironed, and we had tea and watched Chris Matthews on TV. It was a very companionable time - we learned about each other's past, and I found out that I hadn't forgotten how to iron. Who knows - maybe I'll take it up again."
--Julianne Morris
"Helping members is wonderful. But equally wonderful is getting to know our MedPal team of volunteers: Charlotte, Margie, Tom, Julie and Irene. We met several times talking about what we want MedPal to become and to share our experiences. The team is so talented. They bring professional experience from social work and nursing to computer know-how. They have been assisting people in need for years and plan to continue to do so through Ashby Village volunteer activities. I feel blessed having worked with this excellent group of MedPal volunteers. Thank you."
--Marion Anderson
"What I do are little things - door knob fixing, lightbulb changing, tub  caulking. What I get are snippets of wonderful, interesting lives. From Ashby Village I get a sense that there is a community out there. You just have to touch it and it will materialize."--Luciano Corazza "Organizing just about anything is fun for me, so I jumped at the opportunity to assist an Ashby Village member who was running out of space for project files in her office. She and I spent time discussing her current situation, what she wanted the outcome to be and possible solutions for file storage in her office and house. Together, we brainstormed ways to clear away the piles on the floor, add vertical filing space and store old files in the basement. It was a great experience to lend a hand with this project, and I appreciate the opportunity to be of service to an Ashby Village member." --Sandy Simon "Attending a brunch of volunteers at the home of Andy Gaines, the Executive Director recently, I was so inspired by the collective wisdom, creativity, resourcefulness, liveliness and humor being manifested in the group. These qualities combined with the wish to serve our community are truly a dynamic force for good. Looking around at the folks there, I felt inspired and proud to be an elder."
--Margie Neidorf 
Does it get any better? "I started volunteering with Betty in August of this year. Almost every Saturday I have picked her up at her house and driven her to the grocery or drug store, and/or the library. Betty is a lovely woman and I am very lucky to have her as my first 'client.' She is intelligent, kind and very sweet. However the one trait Betty has that is the most endearing to me is her love of reading. We discovered we are both book junkies and have agreed it is much more fun and enjoyable to read a book than eat! So imagine how I felt when one day she asked if - on our normal get-together day - I would mind going to the library because they were having a book fair and she wanted to donate some books and possibly get some other ones! Does it get any better than that? We went, had a great time, both got some treasurers, and went home grinning like a cat who found a big bowl of cream. :)" --Valerie Yeakel "The best part of my experience at Ashby has been meeting such a wide range of interesting people: fellow volunteers and Village members alike. Shared goals and a shared enthusiasm for life's little pleasures make it a constantly rewarding experience." --Susan Chainey 
"What is meaningful to me is getting to know many interesting people and developing a community to support aging in place and the spiritual growth that comes with compassionate aging." --Hilary Lorraine "Picture in your mind a gracious Kensington lady, her Irish ancestry showing in her beautiful, smiling face. This is how Elizabeth greeted me yesterday, as I picked her up for her ride to the doctor. To tell you the honest truth, I was not in the best of moods, not, that is, until we began chatting on the way to Alta Bates. Suddenly I was transported into the glee of an enchanting and surprising conversation. Once in the car, Elizabeth asked, "Have you ever heard of Johnny Otis?" 'Johnny Otis! I was so saddened to hear he just died a few days ago. Johnny Otis was my GOD!' Elizabeth: 'I, too, was very sad, but I loved him oh so much! My daughter gave me three Johnny Otis CD's. I can never figure out how to play them, but when someone helps me out, I can't help myself, I just break out into a dance. I just have to; I shake so hard, it's better than yoga!' P.S. Elizabeth is in her mid-eighties, and still insists on walking alone up her stairway of rounded cement blocks, scattered at random up the steep hill to her street." --Tom Boyden 
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HELP!
Village Needs and Opportunities | | |
Projects. Projects. Projects...
We have an ongoing list of projects we need help with. Whether you're a fully vetted and trained service volunteer, or just interested in helping, there is ample work for you! Some of the projects we currently need help with are:
- Management, design and writing for our publications
- Assistance supporting the growth of neighborhood groups
- Performing home safety and accessibility assessments (training will be provided).
Ashby Village is outgrowing its office
Do you own, work with, or know of a building with extra space? Ashby Village is now outgrowing our current space and is actively seeking another office. We would like three or more rooms (600-800 sq. ft.) and ideally access to an optional large meeting room. We would like it to be located in an easily accessible site in our service area. As a small nonprofit, cost is a strong consideration. Please contact Andy with any leads or with an offer to help the search.
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| VOLUNTEERS & VENDORS | | |
SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Volunteer Orientation & Training
- The Ashby Village Office, 2330 Durant Ave, Berkeley
- Wheelchair accessible
- If you would like to participate, fill out an application online or contact us at 510-204-9200.
Faces of our January Volunteer Orientation
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| WELCOME NEW MEMBERS | |
- Joan and Don Bernstein
- Josephine Rand
- Margie Pezzaglia
- Ella Hurst
- Pamela Drake
- Bessie Rabb
- Lisa Duhl
- Jane Hall
- Ann Basart
- Sheila Diehl
- Sidney Choate
- Thea Black
- Dennis and Jeanne Kuby
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CONTACTS | | |
Committee Chairs
MEMBERSHIP: Betty Webster, b.b.webster@att.net
COMMUNITY-BUILDING AND EVENTS: Laura Peck, lpeck@clarosconsulting.com
Barbi Jo Stim, barbini27@aol.com
SERVICES: Joann Sullivan, joann_sullivan@comcast.net
Judy Boe, judyboe@aol.com
Shirley Haberfeld, shaberfeld@comcast.net
SOCIAL SERVICES SUBCOMMITTEE: Roberta Pressman, rpress19@comcast.net
FUNDRAISING: Enid Pollack, enidcpollack@gmail.com
NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Patricia Sussman, pat@psussman.com
MARKETING AND OUTREACH: Marcia Freedman, marciafree@earthlink.net
LIVING ROOM CHATS SUBCOMMITTEE: Jane Selby, janeselby@comcast.net
Staff
MEMBER SUPPORT: support@ashbyvillage.org
GENERAL INQUIRIES: info@ashbyvillage.org
MEMBERSHIP QUESTIONS: membership@ashbyvillage.org
NEWSLETTER/DIGEST SUBMISSIONS: publications@ashbyvillage.org
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Andy Gaines: andy@ashbyvillage.org
OPERATIONS COORDINATOR: Andrea Mok: mok@ashbyvillage.org
Board
CHAIR: Patricia Sussman
VICE CHAIR: Shirley Haberfeld
SECRETARY/TREASURER: Andra Lichtenstein
Bob Davis
Marcia Freedman
Laura Peck
Roberta Pressman
Jane Selby
Barbi Jo Stim
Betty Webster
Marj Wolf
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