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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
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Friendly Visitors
Renee Carl
Office
Bob Kouba
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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
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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
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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!
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Rotary HOME Team
Saturday, January 31st
FREE home maintenance for seniors unable to perform basic household repairs
Click here for details
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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
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SHARE Meeting
Wednesday, March 11th
All County Day
9:00am - 11:00am
Shadelands Arts Center
111 North Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek
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MEDIA
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"Inside Pleasant Hill" --
Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services
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Contra Costa Times
Good Neighbors Article by Faith Barnidge
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Available Resources
Taxes Done Right!
EarnIt, KeepIt, $aveIt!
Free tax service you can trust.
Click here for details and for Contra Costa locations.
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Issue 3, Volume 1
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January 2015
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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,
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Making A Difference
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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."
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Shirley Guri (right) with
C.C. Café Manager, Francisca Delgado.
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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.
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"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."
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 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.
For full Harvard Study click here. | |
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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."
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"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
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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.
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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
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&E Representatives, Joan Hinton (left) and Raj Basuta (right) provide grant check to Chief Operations Officer, Ana Cardenas and Executive Director, Elaine Clark.
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 | | "Inside Pleasant Hill" taping. From right, Host Octavia Petrut, Executive Director, Elaine Clark, Public Affairs Specialist, Leigh Shughrou, and Host Jen Grossi. |
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 | | From left, C.C. Café Manager, Francisca Delgado, Executive Director, Elaine Clark, and brand new retiree, Shirley Guri. |
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 | | Tai Chi participant, Jim Wong. |
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 | | Ana Abalos (left) receives gift from Leigh Shughrou, Public Affairs Specialist. |
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 | | San Pablo Tai Chi class. From left, participants Suwandee Komin and Esperanza Arias with Health and Wellness Division Manager and Instructor, Cynthia Black. |
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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 |
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