E prEssThe Leading Information Resource for Marin's Active Aging MovementNOVEMBER 2011 Whistlestop.org

Whistlestop

Grandma DeeDee's 99th Birthdaypage 3

Free Tickets toSymphony; Enter Contestpage 15

Thanksgivingat Whistlestoppage 9

continued on page 7

2010/11 Annual report Edition

W ith Marin County’s population aging at a

rapidly increasing rate, we all share in the responsibility of helping our older parents and neighbors and friends live active, engaged lives for as long as possible. Whistlestop clients have greatly benefited from the generosity you have extended to Whistlestop with your donations. Our services are extensive and vital to the health of aging adults in Marin: Whistlestop Buses: Trans-portation is a major part of what we do – public transit

funding doesn’t allow us to cover our annual costs and it doesn’t allow us to transport everyone in need. Would your grandmother be better off with door-to-door service and a driver who will make sure she gets home safely? With your support, we can expand our transportation services and our personal ride service to more poeople who need help. Jackson Café: We serve 11,000 weekday lunches a year and this number climbing since we have only charged older adults $4 a meal, we operate

the Jackson Café at a deficit. Your donation will help cover this deficit and allow us to expand our food services to include weekends and to offer fee-based home delivery. Education: We offer six to eight classes per day, five days a week, at our san rafael Ac-tive Aging Center. Your sup-port will allow us to expand and offer classes in other loca-tions to reach those in need throughout Marin County. Help Desk: Clients receive professional assistance and/or referral in income tax prepara-tion, counseling and health-re-lated matters, immigration and other legal issues. Social Interaction: A primary goal of Whistlestop is to end isolation and loneliness for older adults. Our center is a social hub, where people gather to play cards and other games, attend dances, fashion shows and parties. Themes reflect the multicultural rich-ness of our community. We can’t do all of this with-out our wonderful volunteers and donors.

Whistlestop bus driver Lucelle, with client David Rose.

Whistlestop Express NOVEMBER 20112

This month’s edition of the Whistlestop Express includes

the annual report to our donors. The report describes how donor funds are used to help our cli-ents. In addition to the monetary contributions we receive, Whis-tlestop is very fortunate to have a hearty and generous core of volunteers. Without the contribution of time that our volunteers provide us, we would not be able to offer the variety and breadth of Whistlestop’s Active Aging services. M o r e t h a n 10 0 act ive volunteers provide more than 1,000 hours of their t ime a n nua l ly t o Whistlestop. Volun-teers like Jean, scott, and Molly, who help serve meals to our Jackson Café clients and guests. Volun-teers like Thomas, Kelly, and shirley who teach one of Whis-tlestop’s Active Aging classes. Volunteers like price, Gene and Lois, who instruct and provide client support in our computer lab. Volunteers like Orville, Georgia, susan, and Janice, who staff our Information and referral Center Help Desk. Vol-unteers like Frank and Lucille,

who host our front desk recep-tion area. And, volunteers like rocio, Joyce, and Nathan, who drive older adults who are in need of a ride in our new Volun-teer Driver program. Whistlestop volunteers are treated like our paid staff. They are recruited, screened,

selected, trained, and placed into various jobs throughout the organi-zation, and have work schedules. Volunteers adhere to Whistlestop’s shared values of team-work, service, integrity, respect, communica-tions, and account-ability. Instead of a paycheck, volunteers receive appreciation, recognition, and a feel-ing of self-satisfaction

that they have helped our cli-ents stay active and engaged. We seem to never have enough volunteers to meet the grow-ing demand for Whistlestop’s programs and services. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us. We would love to have you join the Whistlestop family of volunteers. Give us a call today and get started! You will not regret it. FJoe O’Hehir is CEO of Whistlestop.

Whistlestop PERSPECTIVE by JOE O'HEHIR

Table ofCONTENTS

Readers Write In JoAnn Buchanan

From Rocky's PantryRocky Packard

Whistlestop Partnerships

At Whistlestop

Whistlestop Activities Calendar

The Bird's Side of Marin Richard Pavek

Photo Contest Winners

Financial Nuggets Jeff Stoffer, CFA, CFP

New Space Museum

Brain Teasers Gary Gruber, PhD

3

4

68/91011

1213

1415

Marin Senior Coordinating Council, Inc.930 Tamalpais Avenue San Rafael, CA 94901Chief Executive Officer, Joe O’HehirBoard of DirectorsPresident, Dennis ThompsonVice President, Terry ScusselTreasurer, Michael RiceSecretary, Michael HingsonKaren Arnold • Eleanor Delaney • Claudia Fromm Jane Lott • Debbie Mills • Bill Saul Bob Sonnenberg • Jeff StofferWhistlestop Express is a publication of the MarinSenior Coordinating Council, Inc. A 501 (c) 3not-for-profit organizationThe Mission of Whistlestop:To promote the independence and well-being of Marin County’s older adults and individuals with disabilities to enhance their quality of life.Whistlestop Contact InformationMain Number 415-456-9062Whistlestop Fax 415-456-2858www.whistlestop.orgInformation & Referral Office415-459-6700 • resource@whistlestop.orgWhistlestop Express Editorial, Art Direction & SalesJohn & Val Bowman Editors916-751-9189 • john.bowman58@gmail.comMissy Reynolds Art Directormreynolds@pacificsun.comAdvertisingLinda Black • 415-485-6700, Ext. 306

Whistlestop Express is printed on recycled paper

To be added to, or taken off, the email list for Whistlestop Express, please call 415-456-9062, ext. 141. Or send an email, with your request, your name and address to INFO@whistlestop.org.

Subscriptions mailed to your home are $10/year.

LIKE Us on Facebook

More than 100 active volunteers provide more than 1,000 hours annually.

Volunteers: The Backbone of Our Active Aging Services

EASY GIVE BACk TuESdAY! Every Tuesday, Iron Springs Pub & Brewery in Fairfax donates a percentage of its proceeds to a local cause or organization. On Tuesday, November 15th Whistlestop will be the beneficiary, starting at 4pm! Go enjoy a delicious meal, support a locally-owned restaurant and Whistlestop. 765 Center Blvd, Fairfax, 485-1005.

whistlestop.org 3

Send Grandma dee dee a Birthday Card and Make Her day at Age 99

Dear Whistlestop Express readers:My grandmother, Dolores Hoyt (everyone

calls her “Grandma Dee Dee”), turned 99 in september. she is also rick Jackson’s great-grandmother. I thought it would really brighten her day, even after the fact, if we could get 99 people to send her a birthday greeting. It doesn’t even have to be a purchased birthday card. Just write her a note. A bit about Grandma Dee Dee: she lives by herself, loves gardening in her yard. she’s a fabu-

lous cook and prepares delicious, balanced, three-course meals made from scratch, every day, three times a day. Never eats fast food or microwave food, but she sure does love dessert. Music: she loves the Black Eyed peas, rod stew-art and Justin Bie-

ber. some of her favorite shows that she never misses are Dancing With the Stars, American Idol and Two & A Half Men. Until the age of 86, she golfed every week, always walking the course without a cart. Obviously, at 99 years of age, many of Grand-ma Dee Dee’s friends, neighbors, her husband, and even her daughter, have already passed away. so that limits the birthday wishes and cards she is accustomed to receiving. Your help is greatly appreciated and will be thoroughly enjoyed each time she reads and rereads every card, over and over again. please send all cards and notes to: Grandma Dee Dee or Dolores Hoyt c/o BuchananP.O. Box 12296Orange, CA 92859

Thank you, JoAnn Buchanan F

ReadersWRITE IN

Grandma Dee Dee, age 99, sits on a Vespa, just for fun

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From Rocky's PANTRYB Y R O C k Y P A C k A R d

Jackson Café Bulgarian Rice Salad

AARP and Experience Corps Join Forces

AArp has joined forces with Experience Corps, one of the nation’s most highly regard-

ed service programs, which engages adults aged 55+ as volunteer tutors and mentors to address kindergarten to 3rd grade literacy in underserved schools. Experience Corps Marin has operated in Marin since 2007 and currently has a seasoned troupe of 70 trained tutors working in five san rafael elementary schools. The program was nominated last year for the Eisner Award. One of its volun-teers, Terra Linda resident rosemarie Ellington, 80, won a “Heroes for Children” award from the Marin Advocates for Children (MAC) program. Eighty-four percent of its volunteers nationwide reported that participation has changed their lives for the better – including increased motivation, knowledge, confidence and skills. For more information, go to www.aarp.org/expe-riencecorps. Contact: susan Kraemer, Experience Corps Marin, 415-464-1767. F

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This recipe is a nice alternative to pasta salad, slaw, or potato salad. It’s an easy and tasty

contribution to a potluck. For an even lighter, aro-matic flavor, I recommend substituting basmati or jasmine rice.Servings: 4 1 lb White Rice, cooked 1/3 lb Pine Nuts, toasted 1/3 lb Raisins 3/4 lb Feta Cheese, crumbled 3/8 cu Olive Oil Zest of one Orange Salt and Pepper, to taste

Combine all ingredients well.Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 440 Calories; 22g Fat (44.2% calories from fat); 4g protein; 59g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 0mg; Cholesterol; 6mg sodium. Exchanges: 2 Grain (starch); 2 Fruit; 4 1/2 Fat. F

Continued on page 7

W hen Melba Pat-tillo Beals walks the halls of Dominican

University, a stirring chapter in American history walks with her. Dr. Beals, chair of Domini-can’s Communications De-partment, where she teaches journalism, is a member of the Little Rock Nine, the group of African-American students who integrated Little Rock, Arkansas, Central High School in 1957. In honor of African-American History Month, The Whistlestop Express had a conversation with Dr. Beals recently. Her name and those of the other eight students are for-ever linked to the names of Gov. Orval Faubus and Presi-dent Dwight D. Eisenhower. She and her classmates found themselves in the middle of one of the most dramatic show-downs in U.S. history, pitting the President against the governor. Faubus defied the

Dominican Professor Reflects on Her Experience as One of the Little Rock Nineb y J O H N B O W M A N

E PRESSThe Leading Information Resource for Marin's Active Aging MovementFEBRUARY 2011 Whistlestop.org

Whistlestop

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US Supreme Court decision in Brown v Board of Education, which called for the desegrega-tion of all public schools in the United States. The governor used the Arkansas National Guard to block black children from entering Central High School. President Eisenhower countered on Sept. 24, 1957, by ordering the 101st Airborne Di-vision of the US Army to Little Rock and by federalizing the entire 10,000 member Arkan-sas National Guard, taking it out of the hands of the governor. Melba Pattillo was 16 years old at the time and recalls, “The struggle, the shock of the struggle stunned me. As a child you do not expect it to be such a struggle, to experience such violence. You don’t expect human beings to treat other hu-man beings that way. It takes a great deal of energy to survive such extraordinary danger.” The danger was immense. Melba and her friends were met by a menacing crowd of

1,000 screaming adults and children at the school, includ-ing men carrying ropes. One of the most famous photographs from that period shows an erect and determined Melba walking toward the school with a mob of white people behind her and one white girl screaming at her back, the girl’s face contorted into a hateful countenance. Someone later threw acid into Melba’s face. “My bodyguard (Danny) acted swiftly,” she recalls, “He rushed me to a water fountain and we washed my eyes with water. It was a quick and brave act on his part. They took me to

A f r i c a n - A m e r i c a n H i s t o r y M o n t h

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whistlestop.org 5

Sausalito Clinical Ethicist Writes Book on Healthcare for Older Adults

Katrina A. Bramstedt, phD, a sausalito clini-cal ethicist, has written a book titled Find-

ing Your Way: A Medical Ethics Handbook for Patients and Families. she wrote the book with colleague, Al Jonsen. The book, published by Hilton publishing, Inc., is a 140-page paperback aimed at laypersons faced

with medical challenges, either as patients, caregiv-ers or relatives of patients. It addresses common issues that arise during aging, such as writing a health-care living will, thinking about code status (do I want Cpr?), and dilem-mas such as pacemakers, surgery, dementia, and other issues. Dr. Bramstedt, 45, says, “I wrote the book a few years ago when I

was on vacation during a Winter Holiday extended break. A thought popped into my head from nowhere about an ethics handbook geared spe-cifi cally for patients and their families. I ran and grabbed a pen and paper and immediately started writing. I wrote non-stop for a week and the book was nearly complete. When I returned to work, I showed the draft to my colleague, Al Jonsen, who had already written several ethics books for clini-cal professionals. He was impressed and offered to insert an additional chapter. “I like to tell people, ‘You have a First Aid Manual at home, right?’ Well, Finding Your Way is no different. Every household needs a copy.’” F

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did You know?Whistlestop serves more than 11,000 low-cost meals a year to Marin County resi-dents at our onsite Jackson Café, 930 Tamalpais Ave., San Rafael. Not only is the food good, but the café has become a popular place to socialize during noontime.

Café, 930 Tamalpais Ave., San Rafael. Not only

with medical challenges, either as patients, caregiv-ers or relatives of patients. It addresses common issues that arise during aging, such as writing a health-care living will, thinking about code status (do I want Cpr?), and dilem-mas such as pacemakers, surgery, dementia, and other issues. Dr. Bramstedt, 45, says, “I wrote the book a few years ago when I

Whistlestop Express NOVEMBER 20116

Whistlestop Proud of Partnerships with Other County Organizations

Nonprofi ts are fi nding the need to team up to maximize effi ciency and effectiveness,

resulting in collaborations that benefi t the greater good. Whistlestop acknowledges this reality and teams up with other organizations in many ways. Whistlestop and Homeward Bound of Marin (HBOM) joined forces to reinvigorate Whis-tlestop’s Jackson Café. This part-nership provides on-the-job training for the graduates of the HBOM Fresh starts Culinary Academy and provides fresh, delicious, affordable meals for older adults. Full meals are only $4 for those 60 and better! Whistlestop offers affordable kitchen prep space for Ceres, a nonprofi t that teaches high school students how to prepare organic meals for patients undergoing chemotherapy. Whis-tlestop also offers offi ce space for Marin Village and LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of Marin. The new Marin Access, sponsored by Marin Transit and operated by Whistlestop, is a single point of contact for transportation information and service referrals for older adults, persons with disabilities, and low-income residents. The programs offered are: Trip planning, referral service and assistance, paratransit service, Vol-unteer Driver program and ride Funding pro-gram (includes ride credit bank, donated car, and scholarship programs.) Whistlestop partnered up with the Pacifi c Sun weekly newspaper to continue printing and distributing the eagerly anticipated monthly newsletter Whistlestop Express. This enjoyable read and excellent resource for Marin’s older adults covers many of the activities offered at Whistlestop to support active aging. To learn more about Whistlestop services, visit our website at www.whistlestop.org or call us at 415-456-9062. F

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whistlestop.org 7

< Annual Report continued from page 1

Linda BallWilliam J. CastelliMarie ClarkJames CobbJames CookAgnes DeeganHarriette G. Dvorin

Florence FalveyMichael FranceschiJohn GalagherGeorgette GrasBarbara HaydenHattie Mary Klimesh Hogan

Diane HollandNorma M HuntBeverley JacksonMargaret B MacArthurWilma L. MaloneMary Moore

Jerry RandallMaggie RosenMarion Fromm RyanLillian SapersteinMax and Sara Schwartz

Paul SegallisBernice St. AugustineAnita Strom

"In Memory" Of "In Honor" Of

VolunteersLegacy Society Members

Kirk BealesRuth GearyMarti Jessen

Julie and Bret MosleyDee Swennie

Laura AgnewCalvin AhlgrenGhassan AlahmadienKendi AliffJohn AndersonGeorgia AnkerLucille BaileyKirk BealesBarbara BegleyDenise BertucelliBrenda CanadaClaudia CarrollFrank CassouTim ChambersJoseph CilloHerman ClasenCraig (Skip) CorsiniJustin Cory

Judy CountermineMichael DionGene DyerMehrbanoo EsmailiEd EssickShirley EtemadfarRuth FleshmanMichelle GantosBrett GiulianoSamatha GiulianoCarol GoldenMichael GordonMarc GreenbregMatthew GreerPrice HallJean HarrisonRob HarrisonHilda Hensley

Barbara HodesKarl HoppeLynn HuelsmannMolly HynesAngela JacobsPascal Jean-PierreBeth JenningsMeghan JenningsGeorge JohnAnne JohnsonSteven JohnsonRon KawataTami KellyMarsha KingMichael KressDr. Amy LeeYee LeeLois Lerman

Barbara LevinJanice LoviKelly LynchDavid MalakeRabel K. MangahasPreston Scott MarcumNorman MasonsonTerry McKinneyRebecca MilesPamala NelsonChristine NishinagaCeleste ParcellJohn ParkmanCarin PowersAmido RapkinPaulina RojasPaula Ross

Rob RubyFred RuhlandLetitia SandersGail SchroederDenise ScusselHeidi SegedinMarcy ShapsInez SkogJane SummersOrville TeisingJane UngerSusan Van BuskirkMarcia Van MeterViji VierkeSusan WilkinsEmily WongSusan Woodrum

Estate of Francesca LivermoreEstate of Josephine LopesJane LottEstate of Eli Mac LeodEstate of Kenyon RaynerMichael RiceBill and Kitty SaulEstate of Carl SchmidtTerry & Denise ScusselJeff StofferDennis ThompsonEstate of George & Lucile TraegerEstate of Enid L. Wasserman

Estate of Peter & Edith AltmannKaren & Peter ArnoldE.L. BarbieriEstate of Norma BoucherWendy BuchenEstate of Kathleen R. BurgyEstate of Hugh Thursten ClarkeRuth ConroyAnne L. DamiensEstate of Donald L. DuffyMichael & Karen HingsonAlfred HolckH. C. & Beverley JacksonMarilyn Jackson

SOURCES OF FUNDS CLIENTS SERVED

Earned Revenue

Community Support

Grants

Other

90%

5%4%

1%Rides – 145,000

Cafe – 11,000

Language Instruction – 5,800

Multicultural – 5,700

Exercise – 2,400

Counseling – 2,300

Art & Entertainment – 3,400

Computer – 1,100

SOuRCES OF FuNdS

SOURCES OF FUNDS CLIENTS SERVED

Earned Revenue

Community Support

Grants

Other

90%

5%4%

1%Rides – 145,000

Cafe – 11,000

Language Instruction – 5,800

Multicultural – 5,700

Exercise – 2,400

Counseling – 2,300

Art & Entertainment – 3,400

Computer – 1,100

CLIENTS SERVEd

Whistlestop Express NOVEMBER 20118

keep Learning at WHISTLESTOPCOMPuTER/PICTuRE CLASSBeginning: 2nd Friday • 2 to 4pmAdvanced: 3rd Friday • 2 to 4pmComputer Room | Fee: $15Instructor: Gene Dyer | Registration required: 459-6700Call for more information and class descriptions.

COMPuTER LAB dROP-IN CLASSMondays • 10 to Noon & Wednesdays • 10 to 2pmNeed help using a computer? We have volunteer computer tu-tors available to work with you one-on-one, if needed.

MAH JONGGWednesday • 10:30 to NoonFacilitator: Shirley Etemadfar | Donations appreciatedRegistration required: 456-9062American Mah Jongg is a game that originally came from China. If you've played gin rummy, you have a head start in learning how to play this game. However, instead of cards, you play with tiles that are stamped with symbols and characters. You mix up the tiles, stack them into "walls" and get 13 to start a hand. After much passing, picking, and discarding, the fi rst person to assemble combinations of these tiles into specifi c patterns wins the game. We play with a card that shows all the possible hands you can make. We'll have cards and Mah Jongg sets available for you to use as you learn. It's a sociable, competitive, exciting and addictive game that's truly lots of fun! Beginners and experienced players are welcome.

GENTLE CHIROPRACTIC SERVICESThursdays • 10 to 11:30amFee: $5 | Chiropractor: Dr. Laura AgnewFirst-come, fi rst-served basis | 456-9062Do you suffer from back or neck pain, tension headaches or aching muscles & joints? For relief from aches and

pains of everyday stress and strains, visit Whistlestop to see chiropractic professionals who provide safe, gentle and chiropractic care.

GLAddY GOLd BOOk CLuB WITH AuTHOR RITA LAkIN2nd Thursday • 11 to Noon. Starting November 10Donations appreciated | Registration required: 456-9062The fi rst book of the series is Getting Old is Murder75-year-old Gladdy Gold and her gang of eccentric Fort Lauderdale retirees are hunting down a killer. Amid the endless rounds of poolside kibitzing, early-bird specials, bittersweet memories, and interminable grocery-shop-ping trips, Gladdy and her gals are about to discover how their friends’ murders are being committed. And when it comes to catching this culprit, time really is running out.

ART PROJECT1st Friday • 11 to 12:30pm456-9062Learn how to create different types of art projects with artist Celeste Parcell. December 2: Holiday Crafts

FLu SHOT CLINIC AT WHISTLESTOPTuesday, November 810:30 to 12:30pmFacilitators: Sutter Care at HomeFee: Free with Medicare & $20 withoutDrop-in onlyA Simple Vaccination Can Signifi cantly Reduce Your Risk of Being Infected with the fl u virus. Must present Medicare Part B card with I.D. at clinic.

BLOOD PRESSURE & MEDICATION CHECK CLINICTuesday, November 8 • 11 to NoonFacilitators: student nurses from Dominican UniversityDrop-in | Donations appreciatedBring all of your medications and supplements to fi nd out how & when to take them, how to store them, side effects, or interactions with other drugs. Don’t miss this opportunity to prevent health problems by keeping your blood pressure and meds in check!

NEEd MEdICARE ASSISTANCE?November 10 & 14Facilitator: Suzanne Schneider, licensed insurance agentTo make an appointment: 459-6700Have you reviewed your Prescription Drug plan under Medicare Part D lately? Or, are you losing coverage under the Anthem Freedom Blue Plan? Receive assistance navi-gating through your 2012 Medicare plan options. There will be no sales, only advice to answer your questions

COMMISSION ON AGING

Thursday, November 10 • 9:30-12:35 pmWhere: Tiburon Town Hall, 1505 Tiburon Blvd, TiburonPresenters: Roger Kovacks, Bolinas White Caps; Chloe Cook, West Marin Senior Services; Cynthia Hammond, Afternoon at the BeachTopic: Medicare Updates/Health Care ReformNext Meeting: December 8 • 10 am at The Redwoods, Mill Valley

We have volunteer computer tu-

FLu SHOT CLINIC AT WHISTLESTOP

whistlestop.org 9

Scheduling Rides: 454-0964Cancelling Rides: 457-4630Eligibility: 456-9062 x160 oreligibility@whistlestop.orgVolunteer driver Program: 454-0969

Transportation Numbers

LITTLE ART TREASuRESCost: $3-4 per itemLooking for gifts for the holidays or little gifts for friends and family? Whistlestop's Arts & Crafts pro-gram is selling sparkly earrings, modern, stretchy beaded bracelets, and other cute knick-knacks. Please come check out our talents and support our program. If you would like more information or would like to join the Arts & Crafts classes, call Vicky at 457-0586.

COMING SOON IN dECEMBER!HOLIdAY LuNCHEON december 7, 2011

IN-kINd dONATIONS NEEdEd:Mah Jongg sets, decks of cards, books and yarnIf you have items to donate: 456-9062

VOLuNTEER OPPORTuNITIESContact: Debbie at 456-9062 or programs@whistlestop.org

• Jackson Café assistance • Front Desk/Center Host(ess)• Board or Card Game Leader

and provide information specifi cally about your situation. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to review your Medi-care options.

WHISTLESTOP ANd CEdARS OF MARINInvite you to attend the Fall 2011 Art Show hosted at Whistlestop!Friday, November 11 • 11:30 to 12:30pmFeaturing original artwork by individuals with disabili-ties who attend Cedars of Marin Victory Center. Works include: paintings, jewelry, cards, and "Out of Sight" knitting.

THANkSGIVING dAY LuNCHEONThursday, November 24 Noon to 1:30pmCost: $10 for 60+, $15 under 60Reservations required: 456-9062Please join us for our An-nual Thanksgiving Day

Luncheon and enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving feast with all the trimmings! Sponsored by Mission San Rafael Rotary Club.

BOOk SIGNING: REMEMBRANCE WRITING 101, The Easy Way to Write and Share the Stories of Your Life, a GuidebookThursday, December 1 • 2:30pmFree | Reserve your seat: 456-9062Speaker: Claudia Carroll, author and instructorRemembrance Writing 101, The Easy Way to Write and Share the Stories of Your Life is a guidebook to help you access memories, and encourage you to write the storiesyou choose to remember. We'll also do some "quick-writes!" Books will be available for purchase.

kNOW THE 10 SIGNS OF ALZHEIMER'S: EARLY dETECTION MATTERSFriday, December 2 • 10 to NoonPresenters: Alzheimer's AssociationRegistration required: 456-9062 or 472-4340Memory loss that disrupts daily life is not a typical part of aging. It may be a symptom of Alzheimer's, a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. This program will provide information about 10 warning signs of Alzheimer's and the importance of early detection.

If You’re Lonely or Depressed,

There’s Someone Who Will Listen

Confidential & Free 24/7 Telephone Counseling Grief Counseling(415) 499-1195

Suicide Prevention & Crisis Hotline(415) 499-1100

LITTLE ART TREASuRES

Whistlestop Express NOVEMBER 201110

Whistlestop ACTIVITIES This Month at Whistlestop TIME CLASS MISC. COST 10:00–11:00 AM AM Monday (Discussion) 457-0586 Free 11:00–12:30 PM German Social Group Open Free 11:15–NOON Movement & Music Open Free 2:00–4:00 PM ESL 457-8811 Free 4:00–5:30 PM Citizenship Class 454-0998 Free

9:15–10:15 AM Whistlesizers (Exercise) Open $2 10:00–2:00 PM Asian Social Group 454-1552 Free 10:45–11:45 AM Cardio Exercise Class Open Free 11:00–2:00 PM Manicurist Appt. Needed Free 1:00–3:00 PM Learn Spanish Open Free 2:00–3:00 PM ESL Vietnamese 454-1552 Free 2:00–3:30 PM English Conversation 454-0998 Free 2:00–4:00 PM Remembrance Writing Open $5 2:30–3:30 PM Balance Class Open $10

9:15–10:15 AM Whistlesizers (Exercise) Open $2 9:30–11:00 AM Chiropractic Services Open $5 10:00–NOON PM Knit!!! 457-0586 Free 10:00–2:00 PM Asian Social Group 454-1552 Free 10:30–NOON Watercolors with Hilda Open Free 2:00-3:30 PM English Conversation 454-0998 Free 2:00–4:00 PM Remembrance Writing Open $5 3:00–4:00 PM Basic English for 457-0586 Free Spanish Speakers

9:00–10:15 AM Tai Chi Qigong Sugg. Donation $10 9:00–2:00 PM Chair Massage Open $4/8min. 10:00–11:30 AM Seniors' Circle (Support) Open Free 10:30–NOON Mah Jongg Open Free 10:00–2:00 PM Computer Lab Open Free 10:45–11:45 AM Corazón Latino Open Free 2:00–4:00 PM ESL 457-8811 Free 3:00–4:00 PM Basic English for 457-0586 Free Spanish Speakers

9:00–2:00 PM Chair Massage Open $4/8min. 11:00–1:00 PM WS Knitters 1st Fri. Arts & Crafts Free 1:30–3:30 PM ACASA (Support/Training) Peer Counseling Free 1:30–3:30 PM Practice Spanish (Club) Open Free 2:00–4:00 PM Friday Movie Nov. 11 $2 2:00–4:00 PM Arts & Crafts w/Vicky Nov. 4 & 18 $2-$3 3:00–4:00 PM Yoga with Kelly 456-9062 $3

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The Caboose, Computer Lab, Board Room and Jackson Café are all located at Whistlestop’s Active Aging Center – 930 Tamalpais Ave., San Rafael.

Lunch Menu60+ PRiCeS/ UndeR 60 PRiCeS

Main Entrée $4.50/$7.25Sandwiches $4.25/$6.25Soup du Jour $1.75/$2.25Hamburger w/Fries $4.25/$5.25Salads $2.50/$4.00

OTheR iTemSTuna Salad Side $1.25Fresh Fruit $1.50Beverages $1.00Desserts $1.50

Monday-Friday 11:30am-2:00pmLocated in Whistlestop Active Aging Center

Jackson café

whistlestop.org 11

The Bird's SideOF MARIN b y R I C H A R d P A V E k

Phot

os ©

ric

hard

Pav

ek

Chirping Hummers

About a year ago, I began hearing occasional short,

high-pitched chirps, like the chirp of a smoke detector with a weak battery. I replaced the bat-

teries in my detectors to no avail. When I men-tioned the puzzling chirps to a friend who is far more knowledgeable about the waterfront than I am, he said the chirps were the mating calls of hummingbirds. Mystery solved. I had a gnarly old Bottlebrush Tree outside my door that was home to a couple of hummingbirds. It was just a tiny Lothario singing out a song of love to his sweetheart. Well, not quite. recently, I read that the hummingbird’s syrinx (the avian equivalent of a larynx) is too weak to produce an audible sound. According to Dr.

Christopher Clark, a biomechanics expert at Yale, the “aeroelastic flutter” of the male’s tail feathers produces the chirps as he spreads them and dives in an aerobatic display of affection. In a wind tunnel, he showed how each bird produces slightly different tones because of slight differ-ences in feather structure. The female decides by the “Hey, Babe, choose me!” chirp if that Lothario is going to be her mate or if some other bird is. Imagine that; the hummingbird is able to hum and chirp at the same time. Bet you can’t do that. I can hum and walk at the same time, but that’s about it. Every weekend I email an interesting bird photo to Express readers. If you’d like some-thing nice to look at in your Inbox, email me at sHENmaker@MsN.com. FTill next month, richard

Whistlestop Express NOVEMBER 201112

Reception to Honor Winners in 3rd Annual Photo Contest

W histlestop, with co-sponsor Marin Filmworks, will honor winners in its

3rd Annual photo Contest for Older Adults at 5:30 pm Tuesday, November 1 at Whis-tlestop. Contest judges Terry scussel and Marilyn Bagshaw will offer their comments about

w 2nd Place: “Bolinas Lagoon Morning,” by Philip Buchanan, Bolinas.

w 2nd Place: “Albatross Takeoff,” by Jon W. d’Alessio, Ross.

w 2nd Place: “Tango Dancers in Buenos Aires, Argentina,” by Catherine Dobbins d’Alessio, Ross.

the quality of the winning entries, which will be on display. refreshments will be served. The event is open to all. The Best in show and first place win-ners were shown in the October issue of the Whistlestop Express. second and third place winners are displayed here.

Marin Category

Nature Category

Pictorial Category

Travel Category

w 3rd Place: “Firefighters at 2008 Hamilton Warehouse Fire,” by Rick Budde, Novato.

w 3rd Place: “Golden Mantled Ground Squirrel,” by Michael V. Hancock, Tiburon.

w 3rd Place: “Mexican Weaver,” by Janice Hughes, San Rafael.

w 2nd Place:“Fun in the Sun,” by Michael Hancock, Tiburon.

w 3rd Place:“The Red Barn, Palouse Wheatfields, Washington State,” by Ann Rivo, San Rafael.

whistlestop.org 13

Financial NuGGETS by JEFF STOFFER, CFA, CFP®

danger in Seeing What We Want to See

This month, I’m thinking about “affi nity fraud”– an investment scam in which a

trusted and accepted member of a social or reli-gious group preys upon the group’s members. A glaring recent example of this is the Bernie Ma-doff scandal. Older adults have been vulnerable to this type of fraud as well. As I pondered why it is so easy for crooks like this to be successful, I remembered a story about one of my own early investments. One day when I was about eight years old, I stopped into the local hobby shop. searching through the old coins for sale, I found a pristine 1916 Mercury dime – a prize for my collection. My coin book valued this specimen at $120 or more, and here it was for $3.50! Were the proprietors unaware of what they had? I tucked it into the back of the stack and raced home to get all of my money. I purchased the coin, marveling at my good fortune – what a steal! When I got home and checked the book to con-fi rm the coin’s value, I was crestfallen to discover that I had mistaken a 1916 plain for the coveted 1916 D. It turned out that my coin was worth about what I paid for it — $3.50. I learned that day the importance of understanding the details when it comes to money. But there was an even more important lesson: we can be easily blinded by what we want to see. Low interest rates are hurting those who need the dividends and interest from savings to make ends meet. If you are feeling challenged fi nancial-ly, you may be even more vulnerable to an invest-ment idea coming from someone whom you want to believe has the answer for you. This is where our emotions come into play. Just as I wanted to believe that dime would be worth $120, many want to believe they can recover income lost due to declining interest rates on their savings. Two points in closing: fi rst, be wary of invest-ments promising high levels of return. To get those higher dividends, we have to take additional risk. Do not forget this. It is a fi nancial fact of life. second, look very carefully at anyone pitching solutions that seem to “solve” your income prob-

continued on page 14

HEALTH CARE CONNECTION

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Whistlestop Express NOVEMBER 201114

New Space Museum Opens in Novato

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The W Foundation (TWF) has opened a new space exploration museum in Novato. The

museum’s emphasis is on the history of space exploration, and how discoveries in science and technology allowed the U.s. to be the leader in space travel. Admission to the museum is free. The space station is located in the pacheco plaza, which is on Ignacio Boulevard, off High-way 101 in Novato. This unique museum will give the public a rare opportunity to touch space-flown artifacts from TWF’s extensive col-lection of U.s., russian and soviet items. The decision to open this new education cen-ter is based on the success of a temporary ex-hibit put on in July by TWF and Walter Kieck-hefer Company (WKC). The two-day exhibit attracted more than 600 visitors. “This is a win-win for TWF, WKC and our community, because a vacant retail space is filled and the public gains a new education venue in their neighborhood,” said Ken Winans, co-president of TWF. A ribbon cutting was held in October with astronauts rick searfoss, John Herrington, and Dick Gordon attending. During their six missions, they have collectively traveled in space 66 days, performed 23 hours of space walks and journeyed to the moon. For more information, contact The W Founda-tion at www.thewfoundation.org. F

lems. As with my prized dime, if a rate seems too good to be true, it probably is. remain skeptical, do your homework, and verify the facts. Then find someone else – preferably a qualified professional – to help you verify again. We all have our own “Mercury dime” story. We just need to remember the lessons we have learned. F

Jeff Stoffer is on the Whistlestop Board of Directors.

< Financial Nuggets continued from page 13

Thank You!

for sponsoring our third annualPhotography Contest and doingsomething good for older adults!

George Cunha’s Cheetah: Best in Show

whistlestop.org 15

Brain TEASERSWin Free Tickets to Marin Symphony: Answer Questions in Brainteasers Contest

In an effort to get music lovers’ minds work-ing even better, Gary Gruber, phD, an avid

music buff and reviewer, has created a music Brainteaser contest. The first five people who get the correct answers to the three ques-tions below will receive two free tickets to any upcoming Marin symphony concert of their choice. Dr. Gruber has written more than 40 books on test preparation and critical thinking, with more than 7 million copies sold. He has entertained newspaper and magazine read-ers for decades with his Brainteaser columns. His latest books are The World’s 200 Hardest Brainteasers, Gruber’s Complete SAT Guide 2012 and Gruber’s Complete GRE Guide 2012. Gruber has worked nationally with school districts and students to markedly improve test scores and increase thinking ability. His website is www.drgarygruber.com Write him directly with your answers to drgarygruber@yahoo.com. F

dr. Gruber’s Music Brainteasers: 1. Complete the analogy: MUsIC is to VIOLIN as:(A) notes is to composer(B) sound is to musical instrument(C) drawing is to crayon(D) furniture is to carpentry tools(E) symphony is to piano 2. Which of the following does not belong with the rest?szeryng, Milstein, Gluzman, Gilels, Bell, Grumiaux 3. As you may know, Prokofiev wrote a very popu-lar work called Peter and the Wolf. What other work of his has parts which are very reminiscent of some of the melodies in his Peter and the Wolf?(A) The 5th Symphony(B) The 2nd Piano Concerto(C) Alexander Nevsky(D) The Opera Love for Three Oranges(E) The First Violin Concerto

Whistlestop Planned Giving “Roadshow”Treasures From Your Attic

Wednesday, November 9th from 5-6:30pmWhistlestop’s Jackson Café, 930 Tamalpais Ave., Downtown San Rafael

presentation by Jane Lott of silver rain, Estate Transition services, Jack McLaughlin of My Broker Donates, and several antiques specialistsYou will learn• How to find resources to estimate the value of your personal property• How to make a large charitable donation that won’t cost you anything• How to distribute your estate property ac-cording to your wishes Our panel of local experts will use their

experience to share their opinions of approxi-mate values of your antiques, collectibles, art, and vintage items, similar to the Antiques roadshow. These are not certified appraisals and are not meant to substitute for specific advice regarding your personal property. You may bring one item small enough to be carried in by one person; Do not bring items you suspect to be a great value. The first 115 people to sign up will get a seat, YOU MUsT rsVp to info@whis-tlestop.org or 415-456-9062 x117; provide your name and a brief description of the item you are bringing. Free parking in our lot and under highway 101 in the park and ride lots. F

Whistlestop Express NOVEMBER 201116

Marin Senior Coordinating Council

930 Tamalpais Avenue San Rafael, CA 94901-3325

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