Nov/Dec 2015 FOCUS on the Benefit: Transportation

450 Bryant Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301
V ice
Nov/Dec 2015
Introducing New Addition to Village Voice
Individuals are drawn to Avenidas Village for a variety of reasons, yet at
the program’s heart, are its benefits. Members first learn about these
benefits upon joining and, depending upon their needs, will begin using
those most applicable to their particular situation. The remainder of
those benefits often times serve as an insurance policy. Over time,
needs may change and the previously unused benefits can be utilized
down the road. Occasionally we may add or implement a change to a
benefit. We encourage our members to take full advantage of all the
program has to offer. In an ongoing effort to keep our members abreast
of benefit updates, we are adding a new segment to the Avenidas
Village Voice called Focus on the Benefit. Each newsletter will feature a
particular benefit, complete with the specifics; description, how to utilize
it, and any recent changes or additions. We hope you find this helpful.
As always, please contact us if you have any questions. We are here to
help!
FOCUS on the Benefit: Transportation
Did you know that Avenidas Village provides free
rides to its members? Whether you need a ride to
a doctor appointment, are meeting a friend for
lunch, or need to go grocery shopping, we’ve got
you covered. Thanks to our amazing transportation
team comprised of Village members, volunteer
drivers will take fellow members where they need
to go and at no charge. The transportation program
is limited to two rides per month. Advance notice is
required, with a 5-7 day notice advised. To arrange
a ride, simply call or email Robbi McCaughan at
650-289-5405 or [email protected].
Robbi will put your request out to the volunteer
team, and if someone is able to assist, the
volunteer will contact you directly to firm up the
details. It’s that easy!
Additionally, if you have an upcoming outpatient
surgical procedure where your doctor advises you
not to drive, give us a call. We can arrange with
one of our vetted homecare agencies to provide
roundtrip transportation to your procedure at no
cost to you. A professional from the agency can
assist you in and out of the vehicle as well as
accompany you to and from your procedure, if
needed. Members are eligible to receive two free
transports to medical procedures per year. To
schedule transportation to your next medical
procedure, call Robbi McCaughan at 650-2895405.
Page 2
VISTAS Series Off to a Lively Start!
By Dick Scott
The new series of monthly discussions labeled “VISTAS” is off to a
promising start with its inaugural program addressing the question,
“Shall I Sell My House?” and related issues. A panel composed of
Nancy Goldcamp, Judy Schwartz, and Bruce Ackermann addressed
topics such as the Palo Alto real estate market, the pros and cons of
reverse mortgages, and financial planning for seniors. Nancy is a
member of the Avenidas Board and Village Advisory Council and all
three are vendors for the Village. Nancy and Bruce provided
beverages and cookies. The meeting was organized and moderated
by member Tom Reese.
Nancy acknowledged the heated nature of the housing market in the
Bay Area, but pointed out that home prices appear to be leveling off.
The possibility of selling one’s home and moving to a smaller unit is made difficult because of lack of
such units; sellers may have to relocate outside of the Palo Alto area. The decision to sell is a very
personal one; affected by both the costs and responsibilities of aging in place and by the attractiveness of
existing alternatives.
Bruce discussed alternatives to reverse mortgages, such as obtaining a line of credit based on home
equity. Thirty-seven percent Federal and California taxes on capital gains are a major issue for
homeowners in this area, who probably purchased their homes at a time when housing was much less
expensive. He urged all of us to develop a ten-year plan costing out anticipated income and expenses.
Many questions were raised throughout the session that both guided and enlivened the discussion.
November VISTAS Reflections of a University Administrator by Tom Reese
Village member Tom Ehrlich will transport us back to college via the next VISTAS session set for
November 20th at 12 pm at Avenidas Room 216.
Tom will reflect on his career as a graduate school professor (Stanford Law School) and administrator
(Dean, Stanford Law School, provost at Penn, and president at Indiana University). He will discuss his
observations on the distinctive features of private and public universities. Tom is currently with the
Stanford Graduate School of Education.
Tom will also discuss the relatively new program at Stanford
for freshman called Reflections. Originally a Harvard program, Tom implemented the program at Stanford. Its aim is
to help freshman, our grandchildren, think about the people
they want to be, their values, and how they want to relate to
the world around them. It is designed as an
antidote to a
mindset of college; merely to prepare for a careen, often
pushed this way by parents or grandparents.
The VISTAS sessions are held the third Friday of the month
at Avenidas. No RSVP required. For questions or
suggestions for future sessions, please contact Tom Reese
at [email protected]
Page 3
Are You Ready For the Storms This Winter?

Sign up for automated notifications from the City of Palo Alto by going to
www.alertscc.com

Stock your home with a portable radio, flashlights, extra batteries and bottled water
(a gallon per person per day for 3-7 days)

Call Avenidas Handyman Services to get your gutters cleaned at little cost or effort to
you 650-289-5426

Go to www.cityofpaloalto.org/storms for preparedness information such as the
location of sand bag stations and preparing you and your home to weather the storms

Contact the Avenidas Village office if you will need help with picking up sand
bags.
Note: With respect to sand bags, homeowners will need to go with a driver
(gardener or volunteer) to the sand bag station with identification
Annual Village Holiday Open House December 8th
RSVP for our Village Holiday Open House on Tuesday, Dec. 8th from
4-6pm at Stanford West, 700 Clark Way, Palo Alto
Celebrate the holidays with us at the Avenidas Village Annual Holiday Open House. We’ve once
again reserved the lovely Social Room at Stanford West for our holiday open house and invite
members to join us for the merriest of times! Please RSVP as soon as you can, so that we can plan
for ample appetizers and desserts for all guests. If you will need a ride, please let us know.
Please RSVP by December 1 to [email protected] or 650-289-5407
AV Interest Group Celebrates Win
by Dick Scott, Co-Chair, Expanding Choices
The 20-plus members of Avenidas Village’s interest group on Expanding Choices in California were
very gratified to learn that the California legislature has passed and that the governor has signed the
“aid-in-dying” legislation, to take effect in 2016.
For the past year, committee members have been actively involved in the campaign for this
legislation, informing themselves about the issue, hosting lectures at Avenidas by Compassion and
Choices, a nonprofit advocacy group, signing petitions and writing members of the legislature and
the governor. Some attended committee hearings in Sacramento to voice their opinions.
Page 4
Recap: Our 5 Berkeley Survey Winners!
Thanks to everyone who participated in the Annual Berkeley Survey. Those who completed their
surveys by July 27th were entered into a drawing to win $100. The five lucky winners are Jill Otto,
Isabel Peterson, Clayton Lane, Larkin Lapides and Phyllis Snow (not pictured).
CONGRATULATIONS and a big thank you to all!
Avenidas Village Program Director Vickie Epstein and
Member Services Manager Robbi McCaughan present
winner Jill Otto with her winnings.
Winner Isabel Peterson smiled brightly as she
accepted her Berkeley Survey prize from Vickie.
Winner Clayton Lane was thrilled to receive his check,
hand-delivered by Robbi.
Winner Larkin Lapides was excited to win $100.
Page 5
Social Over Sixty
Opera Fans
Join Dick Gunther’s Opera eBlast to
receive reviews and suggestions for outings to
The Met in HD, San Francisco Opera
Senior Rush, etc. Send email to Dick at
[email protected].
Compassion and Choices
Joy and Dick Scott created a group to inform
members about end-of-life choices. Contact
Dick at (650) 857-1834 or
[email protected].
To create an Interest Group of your own,
contact Robbi McCaughan at (650) 289-5405
or [email protected].
In Memoriam
“However long the
night, the dawn
will break.”
— African Proverb
Robert Scarlett
September 2015
Nov & Dec Birthdays
Victor Althouse
11/8
Judith Anderson
11/16
Linda Anderson
11/13
Harriet Ardiel
11/25
Barbara August
11/18
Pat Bashaw
11/14
Barbara Bloom
11/20
Charles Bonini
11/22
Peggy Burke
11/18
Betty Cohen
11/16
Albert Cohen
11/16
Kenneth Cooper
11/18
James DeiRossi
11/7
Shirley Eaton
11/23
Diane Finkelstein 11/22
Keith Gilbert
11/3
Marion Greenberg 11/4
Dorothea Hamilton 11/29
Ben Hammett
11/18
Lorraine Hlavka
11/5
Christy Holloway 11/14
George Houle
11/21
Martha Hu
11/11
Barbara Jacobson 11/4
Dale Kaiser
11/10
Paul Lechich
11/25
Kathy Lierle
11/4
Douglas Lucas
11/25
David Mitchell
11/11
Charlotte Murphy 11/18
William Northway 11/26
J. Eugene O’Sullivan 11/20
Carole Price
11/2
Barbara Riper
11/7
Jerry Smallwood
11/23
Patricia Smith
11/22
Robert Stainton
11/14
James Sterrett
11/8
Mary Jane Tapp
11/21
Claire Taylor
11/30
Nancy Tune
11/15
Fred Van Aken
Gerald August
Jost Baum
Hwa Lih Wang
Edith Weiser
Ray Applebaum
Stuart Beattie
Eve Bingham
Robert Castle
Sally Cooper
Bob Debusk
Jean Gee
Nancy Ginzton
Ellen Gonella
John Harris
Tracy Herrick
Jerg Jergenson
Inge Koenig
Sophie Ladenla
Arnold Long
Joan Mansour
Eve Melton
Pierre Noyes
Jill Otto
Kinga Perlaki
Mary Ratner
John Schaefer
Dick Scott
Geraldine Sello
Richard Smith
Fielding Tapp
Gee Gee Williams
Eugene Zukowsky
11/30
12/18
12/21
11/29
11/21
12/10
12/25
12/20
12/31
12/28
12/6
12/23
12/15
12/1
12/21
12/30
12/13
12/1
12/1
12/14
12/24
12/2
12/10
12/3
12/3
12/30
12/22
12/18
12/16
12/5
12/2
12/28
12/20
November & December Events
Page 6
Redwood City Then & Now Walk– Thur Nov 12 10:15am
2200 Broadway Redwood City
Bruce Heister will take us on a walk from the 1795 granting of Rancho de las Pulgas
through the 1870’s bustling sea port on Redwood Creek and on to a current day vibrant
Redwood City; and all this history within a six-block area. The walk is flat and about one
mile. We will gather in front of the San Mateo County History Museum (the former SMC
Courthouse). Those who would like may continue on for a no host lunch and/or return to the museum for the
afternoon with the memory-jogging exhibits there.
$4 Museum RSVP by Nov 9 to Bruce or Ellie by calling (650) 328-9602 or
[email protected]
Lunch Bunch-Tommy Thai Sat Nov 14 11:45 am 1482 El Camino Mt View
Enjoy authentic Thai and Cambodian house specials made from the freshest ingredients, with spiciness level to
your liking. This is host Ellen Gonella’s favorite restaurant and she’s arranged a special menu
for us. Bring $20 cash (not checks or credit cards) to give to Ellen before you sit down. Then
relax and enjoy the delicious cuisine and fun conversation. Ellen can explain the menu when
you RSVP. Price includes soup, salad, entrée with rice, delicious dessert, tax and tip.
$20 Cash ONLY RSVP by Nov 11 to Ellen Gonella at (650) 948-2920 or
[email protected]
VISTAS: Reflections of a University Administrator-Fri Nov 20 12pm Avenidas
Member Tom Ehrlich will bring us back to college as he reflects on his career as a Stanford Law School professor
and administrator of several universities.
FREE No RSVP Required. For questions, contact Tom Reese at [email protected]
Annual Village Holiday Open House! Tues Dec. 8 4-6 pm
Stanford West
Celebrate the holidays with Avenidas Village at our Annual Holiday Open House! We
have once again reserved the Social Room at the Stanford West Apartments, 700 Clark Way,
Palo Alto. Drop by anytime between 4-6 pm, but please RSVP by December 1st.
Free RSVP by Dec 1 (650) 289-5407 or [email protected]
VISTAS: Six Scams Targeting Seniors Fri Dec 18 12pm Avenidas
Avenidas Village vendor and member Bruce Ackermann will discuss ways to protect ourselves against
six common scams targeted at seniors
FREE No RSVP Required. For questions, contact Tom Reese at [email protected]
Nov 26 & 27—Thanksgiving
2015 Nov/Dec Staff & Holiday Closures:
Dec 1—Staff Training
Dec 24& 25—Christmas
450 Bryant Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301 (650) 289-5405 www.avenidasvillage.org
Editor: Kari Martell
Production Manager: Robbi McCaughan