collage of clients 
SENIOR MOMENTS
brought to you by 
Meals on Wheels and
 
Senior
Outreach Services 

        925-937-8311            
         
  
IN THIS ISSUE
Welcome New Volunteers
Words We Live By
Upcoming Events
Media
Available Resources
Making A Difference
Meals On Wheels
Health and Wellness
Fall Prevention
C. C. Café
Healthy Bites
About Town
WELCOME NEW VOLUNTEERS
 
Meals on Wheels

  

Laurie Abramson

 Caggy Birdsong

Mary Gibbons
 
Lonnie Howard 

Rich Howard

Peter Johnson

Kevin Lewis

Bonnie Leys

Mike Mansell

Steve MacDonald

Dorwin Neely

Carla Roberts
 
Christina Wilcox

 

 Friendly Visitors

 

Renee Carl

 

Office

 

Bob Kouba

 

WORDS WE
LIVE BY 
 

Excerpts From A Poem by  MOWSOS Client,

Ed LaSage

~Age 93~

 

"Hello there, dear folk, from M.O. and double U a few words with you, if it doesn't trouble you.

I've enjoyed your service for several years and will continue to do so, so it appears.

The food is quite good and well balanced, too.

But, that's not the

main reason I'm writing to you.

It's about the good people whom I have met. You've become such good

friends, that you can bet.

There is Leslie and Linda and Sheri, too.

My days would be dreary, were it not for you.

Les is my buddy who stays for a chat

about the world's wonders and this and that.

Then there's Patricia (she's Les's wife). He let me know she's the love of his life. She sent me cookies with Les once or twice. Now let me ask you, wasn't that nice?"

 

Full Poem  

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

Free Senior Scam Stopper Seminar

Friday, January 23rd

1:00pm - 3:00pm

 Del Valle Education
Center

1963 Tice Valley Blvd.,  Room 401

Walnut Creek

Flyer 

~~ 

Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services'

 Friday, January 30th
5:30pm - 9:30pm  
SOLD OUT but you can still support us by purchasing raffle tickets for a chance to win one of four AWESOME prizes!
  

Musical Crabby

 ~~

 

Rotary HOME Team

Saturday, January 31st

FREE home maintenance for seniors unable to perform basic household repairs

 

Click here for details 

~~ 

 

Fall Prevention Coalition Meeting

 Tuesday, February 17th

9:00am-11:00am

Guest speaker,

Katharina Dress, MA

"Heart to Heart Conversations about the Challenges of Aging"

 Pleasant Hill Community Center

320 Civic Dr.

Pleasant Hill

 

2015 Fall Prevention Coalition Meeting Schedule

 ~~  

 

SHARE Meeting

Wednesday, March 11th

All County Day

9:00am - 11:00am

Shadelands Arts Center

111 North Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek

 

MEDIA  

 

Inside Pleasant Hill Episode 207

"Inside Pleasant Hill" --

Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services

 

Contra Costa Times 

Good Neighbors Article by Faith Barnidge

 

 

Available Resources

 

Taxes Done Right!

EarnIt, KeepIt, $aveIt!

 

Free tax service you can trust.

 

Click here for details and for Contra Costa locations.

 

 

Issue 3, Volume 1
January  2015
 

 

Welcome to "The Year of the Senior!"  2015 marks the 50th anniversary of Medicare and just as important, the 50th anniversary of the Older Americans Act.  Both of these programs give a voice to senior issues.  Both are under-funded and both are in danger of being cut even further.

 

As the new Congress takes control and priorities change (yes, sequestration is once again on the horizon), use your voice to let your representatives know of the important contributions of seniors and our need to support them.  You can make a difference in a senior's life.

 

Click here to be connected to California representatives. 

 


 

Sincerely,

 

  Elaine Clark signature

  
MakingADifference
Making A Difference

A Fond Farewell

 

After nearly 22 years, Shirley Guri, Walnut Creek C.C.

Café Manager, prepares to stroll into retirement. 

 

"Actually, I am cruising into retirement, Shirley says with a big smile.  My daughter and I are taking a 15-day cruise to Hawaii."

Shirley Guri (right) with

C.C. Café Manager, Francisca Delgado.

 

Shirley had just become an

empty-nester in July of 1993 and was looking for part-time work when her husband spotted an ad for an MOWSOS C.C. Café Manager in Walnut Creek.  "The rest is history," says Shirley.  "I wasn't a senior when I started, but I learned quickly that seniors just need to be treated with respect, a sense of humor, and patience.

 

"I am so grateful for the incredible crew of volunteers -- drivers, café volunteers, and both the staff at MOWSOS and Walnut Creek Community Center. It's been a great place to work and I'm really going to miss it," says Shirley.

 

Meals on Wheels

red-table-setting.jpg

 

 

"The staff of Meals on Wheels want to thank the EXCEPTIONAL AND AMAZING volunteer drivers that stepped up and drove for us to ensure meals were delivered during the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas and NewYear's when we asked for help.

 

You made it work for everyone and we are VERY grateful."

 

  

  
  
  
 Health and Wellness

 Friendly Visitors sunflower The Benefits of Tai Chi 
 

This gentle form of exercise can prevent or ease many ills of aging and could be the perfect activity for the rest of your life.

 

Tai chi is often described as "meditation in motion," but it might well be called "medication in motion." There is growing evidence that this mind-body practice, which originated in China as a martial art, has value in treating or preventing many health problems. 

San Pablo Tai Chi students Jim Wong and Inda Ureta.


Tai chi differs from other types of exercise in several respects. The movements are usually circular and never forced, the muscles are relaxed rather than tensed, the joints are not fully extended or bent, and connective tissues are not stretched.


Tai chi can be easily adapted for anyone, from the most fit to people confined to wheelchairs or recovering from surgery.

 

Take a look at one of  our Tai Chi classes -- Tai Chi in Action.
  
For full Harvard Study click here.
 Coordinated Care

Coordinated Care Works!

 

Ana's only daughter lives overseas.  "I'm 85 years old and confined to my wheelchair most days.  I had several strokes a decade ago and two falls in 2011 - one in the living room and one in the shower.  I initially tried to cook for myself, but burned a few pots which worried my family," says Ana.

 

"The phone call to MOWSOS really saved my life.  I began receiving a hot, daily meal, and because they assessed the fall danger in my home, I now have grab bars in both my shower and bedroom."

Ana Abalos

 

Ana also began visiting with a volunteer from the Friendly Visitors Service last month and is enjoying her new acquaintance. "I don't get many visitors.  Now, I look forward to seeing Kitten each week," says Ana.  "We have a lot in common and the time flies by so fast."

 

"Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services has given me so much hope.  They provide me with a nutritious, balanced meal so that I don't have to put myself in danger, and I have someone to visit with and share news with each week. I'm no longer afraid of falling.  I would be devastated without Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services." 

C.C. Café


 cc cafe logo

"Be Our Guest" Outreach Program
  
Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services' Bay Point C.C. Café  is collaborating with the Ambrose Community Center to attract additional seniors to the C.C. Café lunch program.  MOWSOS will be building on the celebrations and
C.C. Café diners
activities planned by Ambrose in order to attract new diners. Each new diner will enjoy a no donation subsidized lunch with a goal of a return visit. 
 
The Bay Point C.C. Café is located at 3105 Willow Pass Road, Bay Point. 
 
For more information, please contact Francisca Delgado at fdelgado@mowsos.org or 925-937-8311.
 Healthy Bites

 

Whole Wheat and Ricotta Bundt Cake with Lemon and Poppy Seeds


 

Try this recipe.  You won't be sorry!  It's dark and golden, with a wonderful moist texture plus the slight crunch of the poppy seeds.  Enjoy with a nice cup of hot tea for breakfast or as an afternoon snack. 

 

Recipe

 

     

 About Town

&E Representatives, Joan Hinton (left) and Raj Basuta (right) provide grant check to Chief Operations Officer, Ana Cardenas and Executive Director, Elaine Clark.
"Inside Pleasant Hill" taping. From right, Host Octavia Petrut, Executive Director, Elaine Clark, Public Affairs Specialist, Leigh Shughrou, and Host Jen Grossi.

From left, C.C. Café Manager, Francisca Delgado, Executive Director, Elaine Clark, and brand new retiree, Shirley Guri.

Tai Chi participant, Jim Wong.

Ana Abalos (left) receives gift from Leigh Shughrou, Public Affairs Specialist.

San Pablo Tai Chi class.  From left, participants Suwandee Komin and Esperanza Arias with  Health and Wellness Division Manager and Instructor, Cynthia Black.
If you have suggestions for our newsletter or would like to contribute a quote, photo, or story, please contact:
Leigh Shughrou
Public Affairs Specialist
Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services
925-937-8311 x133
lshughrou@mowsos.org



1300 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 
925-937-8311  mowsos.org