Whistlestop Express

Almost 10 years ago I worked in the World Trade Center. I was

there and escaped as the Twin Towers were attacked on September 11. Soon after that day, the media heard about me and my now famous guide dog Roselle’s escape. As a result of all the press attention I began traveling the world speaking about that day as well as the lessons we should learn from the World Trade Center tragedy. I now own my own company which provides me a platform to speak about change, trust and teamwork, blindness, 9-11 and the les-sons still to be learned, and, of course, Roselle. The latest chapter in my en-deavors is that a book about Roselle’s and my experience escaping from the towers, as well as my life’s lessons, is about to be released. Thunder Dog soon will be available in many bookstores and from my website, www.michaelh-ingson.com. Speaking of Roselle, I am sad to say that she died about

a month ago. She will be sorely missed, but moving forward with Thunder Dog is a signifi cant way I can honor her memory.

Editor’s note: Michael Hingson of Novato is Secretary of Whistlestop’s Board. He and Roselle led a group of people down from the 78th fl oor of Tower One to safety on 9-11 moments before the building collapsed. Michael has spoken about the experience to many audiences. He notes that on that fateful day, what the world considers a “disability” gave him and Roselle the

ability to respond to the disaster in a way that ensured their survival and that of others. ✦

Hingson Book Recalls 9-11 Rescue Experienceb y M I C H A E L H I N G S O N

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

Whistlestop

RockyPackardpage 4

The Bird's Side of Marin page 11

Disabled Sailor Helps Otherspage 15

National Day for Older AdultsNational Senior Citizens Day is August 21 and it’s a good day to show appreciation for the older adults in our lives. In 1981, President Reagan proclaimed this special day. It is an opportunity for us to show our gratitude

for what older adults have achieved in their lives and their contributions to our communities. It is a day to spend time with an older adult. Whistlestop needs you; call 415-456-9062 to learn about volunteer opportunities.

ability

Whistlestop Express AUGUST 20112

Whistlestop is an es-sential part of life for older adults in Marin

County, says Dr. Charles Lith-gow, a longtime prominent neurosurgeon, now retired in Novato. He is a former member of the Whis-tlestop Board. Dr. Lithgow, 87, was a prac-ticing surgeon for 50 years. His patients includ-ed Dwight D. Eisenhower and a former gover-nor of Maryland and his fam-ily. He was for a time an offi cer in the U.S. Public Health Service and for 22 years was Chief of Medical Education at St. Mary’s Hospi-tal in San Francisco. “I think half the doctors in Marin are former students of mine,” he said, laughing. He retired from the Whistlestop Board in 2005 and used Whistlestop’s services for a while after his fi rst wife passed away. “A very nice man used to deliver meals to me. It was a dif-fi cult time for me.” He married his sec-ond wife, Beverly, six years ago and says, “She has made life easier for me; keeps me going. If it weren’t for her, I’d probably be in a

nursing home.” Beverly is an active supporter of the Light-House for the Blind, which has an offi ce in the Whistlestop building. Dr. Lithgow reads Whis-

tlestop Express regularly. “It is very good and keeps getting better,” he says. Another passion of his is music; he was a member of the Sewer Band, playing the clarinet, at Whistlestop Christmas parties for

many years. The Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District Non-Marching Band was formed 52 years ago. One member was disabled and unable to march so the band used a fl atbed truck for parades and

still does. Dr. Lithgow con-tinues to support Whistlestop. “I have contributed to them for some time and will continue to do so. I encour-age other people to contribute because I think Whistlestop is doing a wonderful job. It is essential to this community

and they need and deserve our support.” He said that Joe O’Hehir, CEO, is “an excellent leader.” ✦

WhistlestopPERSPECTIVE by JOHN BOWMAN

Table ofCONTENTS

Readers Write In

From Rocky's PantryRocky Packard

Virginia Dziomba's Story

New Board Members

At Whistlestop

Whistlestop Activities Calendar

The Bird's Side of MarinRichard PavekWe Need You!Yvonne RobertsUp/Down Tennis

Inspiring Sailor

WordSearch

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Marin Senior Coordinating Council, Inc.930 Tamalpais Avenue San Rafael, CA 94901Chief Executive Offi cer, Joe O’HehirBoard of DirectorsPresident, Dennis ThompsonVice President, Terry ScusselChief Financial Offi cer, Michael RiceSecretary, Michael HingsonKaren Arnold • Eleanor Delaney • Claudia FrommJane Lott • Debbie Mills • Bill SaulBob Sonnenberg • Jeff StofferWhistlestop Express is a publication of the MarinSenior Coordinating Council, Inc. A 501 (c) 3not-for-profi t 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 Offi ce415-459-6700 • [email protected] Express Editorial, Art Direction & SalesJohn & Val Bowman Editors916-751-9189 • [email protected] Reynolds Art Directormreynolds@pacifi csun.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 [email protected].

Subscriptions mailed to your home are $10/year.

Dr. Charles Lithgow Encourages Everyone to Support Whistlestop

LIKE US on Facebook

‘Whistlestop is essential to this community and theyneed and deserve our support.'

Dr. Charles Lithgow and his wife, Beverly

whistlestop.org 3

ReadersWRITE IN

I really like the virtual version of Whistlestop Express. So easy to scroll — backwards and forwards — through the newsletter, literally

the same feeling as having the actual paper in front of me. In the July issue, I enjoyed the story about that poor, unfulfi lled bird ... preening and puffi ng his horny heart out but, alas and alack, a day late and a dollar short. Overall, I get the feeling that the newsletter delivers a consistent message of a helpful commitment for older adults from the editorial and articles to the calendar pages of upcoming classes and dates and the weekly schedule.

—Orville Teising, Mill ValleyEditor’s Note: We are delighted that this reader en-joys the virtual Express and we invite others to view it at www.whistlestop.org, and then click on Events and News photo of Whistlestop Express (lower left side of home page). The fastest way to view it is by clicking on “Flippy.”

Likes Online Whistlestop Express

180° DIFFERENTSENIOR LIVING FROM YOUR POINT OF VIEW.

At Kisco Senior Living we’re about nurturing the mind, body and

spirit, continuing the process of personal growth and having

a newfound sense of connection to others.

We call it The Art of Living Well.SM

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Find relief for your swollen joints and

GET YOUR LIFE BACK!!

DID YOU KNOW THAT HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY COULD HELP WITH POST LYME SYNDROME?

Photo Deadline is August 10

The deadline for entries in the Whistlestop Photo Contest is August 10. Only digital entries, hi-resolution at least 300dpi,

will be accepted. Email entries to [email protected] with name, phone number, email address and mailing address and the cat-egory you are entering. Categories: Nature, Picto-rial, Travel, Marin County Only. Limit: two en-tries per photographer, one in each category. Must be at least 60 years old and live in Marin County. A $5 suggested entry fee would be appreciated. ✦


From Rocky's PANTRYB Y R O C K Y P A C K A R D

Jackson Café Honey Lime Yogurt Dressing for Fruit Salad 1 pint Plain Yogurt 1 each Zest and Juice of Fresh Limes 1/2 Cup Honey

Combine all ingre-dients in a mixing bowl and serve

with your favorite fruit salad combination. A great addition to the salad and dressing is a garnish of toasted coconut.Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 816 Calories; 16g Fat (16.6% calories from fat); 18g Protein; 162g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber;

Last spring, Experience Corps tutor Rosmarie Ellingson, 80, was one of three winners

of the “Heroes for Children” award from the Marin Advocates for Children (MAC) program. Recently nominated by the Marin Community Foundation for the Eisner Prize for Intergenerational Excellence, Experience Corps Marin deploys its team of more than 60 volunteers to work on fi ve campuses. Tutors assist in the classroom as one-on-one mentors and in after-school pro-grams. Ellingson was recognized for her outstanding work as an Experience Corps volunteer work-ing with English Language Learners at San Rafael’s Venetia Valley School. “The honor is wonderful, but my reward comes from the satisfaction I receive from in-teracting with these young children each day,” says Ellingson. ” I receive as much from this relationship as they do. ”

Experience Corps Tutor Wins Special Award Larry Wolff, a semi-retired en-gineer and nominee for last year’s Heart of Marin award, heard about Experience Corps on the radio. “I wanted something that was meaning-ful to me and had something to do with kids,” he says, “and it worked out beautifully. First I started with two kids and then it was four and some-

times I talked to the whole class. Once you gain a kid’s trust there’s no limit to what you can ac-complish as a positive infl uence in their lives.” It’s back to school time and Experience Corps Marin is looking for adults 55+ to volunteer as early literacy tutors in San Rafael elementary schools. Free orientations are held each month, followed by training in the skill sets required to work with English Language Learners. Stipends are available for volunteers who work more than 10 hours a week. To fi nd out about this school year’s fi rst free orientation, on Tuesday, August 23, 10am to 1pm, call Susan Kraemer at 415-464-1767. ✦

We Can Be Thereto Assist You!

Assessments are Performed by a Qualifi ed R.N.

415-499-1200

Visiting Angels® Can Help Share the Care

whistlestop.org 5

Virginia Dzi-omba of San Anselmo is

an inspiration to anyone who is deal-ing with a disability. She is 91 years old and blind. She also is an important fi xture at Blind and Vision Impaired of Marin (BVIM), where she serves on the board and leads a support group ev-ery fourth Friday at Whistlestop. “I have two percent sight,” she says. “I have macular degeneration, same as 90 percent of the people who come here.” To talk with Virginia is to brighten one’s day. She is upbeat and has an infectious sense of humor — two qualities that surely serve her well in the work she does at BVIM. She speaks enthu-siastically about the support groups. “There’s an-other one in San Rafael and one each in Novato, Marin City and at The Redwoods of Mill Valley. It is a very welcoming environment where people come together and share their issues.” There are other activities, too. “We also go on fi eld trips and have a monthly luncheon with speakers,” she says, then laughs. “You don’t have to get dressed up. Even if you spill something on your outfi t, no one can see it.” Virginia said that one of the most interesting and entertaining speakers they’ve had is Michael Hingson, Whistlestop Board member who also is blind and very active as a consultant, speaker and author. Virginia said that she is presently trying to fi nd a new location for the monthly luncheons because of budget constraints. “We’d love to fi nd a church or other organization that might charge us low rent. So, if you hear of anything …” The luncheons are held on the second Sat-urday of every month. BVIM, which shares space with LightHouse for the Blind at Whistlestop, was founded in 1974. “I’m older than dirt,” says Virginia. “So I’ve been here since the start.” ✦

Virginia Dziomba is Dedicated to the Blind and Vision Impaired of Marin

800-931-5769

of marin

SPECIALISTS IN GERIATRIC IN-HOME THERAPY AND WELLNESS

Jennifer Holland, PTLicensed Physical Therapist

CA Lic #10957

Available: Independent and Residential Living

No Buy-In Fees

www.TheRedwoods.org

Give the gift of health…Therapeutic Yoga For Older Adults

YOGa TO YOu seeks to share the ancient wisdom found in yoga, now widely embraced by integrated

medicine that underscore the health benefi ts of yoga. We take Yoga to individuals and groups in their

private homes, or in assisted living centers,nursing homes, independent living sites, and other

residential care facilities for older adults.Call for a Free demonstration today!

Dr. Melanie Hahn

YOGa TO YOu©


New WhistlestopBOARD MEMBERS

By the end of this month Bob Sonnenberg, of San Rafael, will have thrown out the fi rst pitch of games at both American and

National league baseball parks. Sonnenberg and Eleanor Delaney are the newest mem-bers of Whistlestop’s Board of Directors. Bob is scheduled to toss out the fi rst pitch August 28 at AT&T Park in San Fran-cisco, as the Giants host the Houston Astros. At his side will be Niño, his guide dog. “I can see,” said Bob, “But not sharply. I’ve had Niño since March 2006.” He said that it was in January 2004 as he was driving that his vision went away. “My

Sonnenberg, Delaney Newest Whistlestop Board Members

HEALTH CARE CONNECTION

415 4572256www.HealthCareConnectionLLC.com

retina kind of shut down.” He has been working as Associate Director of Planned Giving for Guide Dogs for the Blind for fi ve years. There are many Guide Dog sup-porters in the Seattle, WA area and that led to Bob’s throwing out the fi rst ball at a Mariners’ game. Did the ball get to the plate? “It was a strike,” said Bob, “I had witnesses.” Bob, who lives with his wife, Cindy, and sons Rob and Tim in San Rafael, is a native of Marin and a fi fth generation Californian. He was drawn to serve on the Board because, “Whistlestop is so important to the community and I wanted to contribute in this way. There are great things on the horizon.” Eleanor Delaney has more than 20 years experience in fi nancial management, corpo-rate effi ciency, strategic planning and providing coaching and supervision to team members. Cur-rently she is the CEO of OWL LLC, a company that specializes in developing fi nancial awareness and fi -nancial management skills in the workforce. Outside of work, she enjoys sailing, hiking, food and wine and African drumming. She said, “I was motivated to serve on the Whistlestop Board because I value the work of the organization, enhancing independence, reducing isolation and building community in the older adult population.” ✦

Good Search — simply go to GoodSearch.com and when you search the internet using their search engine, Whistlestop gets a donation! GoodSearch is a search engine which donates 50-percent of its revenue to the charities and schools designated by its users. It’s a simple and compelling concept. You use GoodSearch exactly as you would any other search engine. Because it’s powered by Yahoo!, you get prov-en search results. The money GoodSearch donates to your cause comes from its adver-tisers — the users and the organizations do not spend a dime! ✦

Easy Ways to Give toWHISTLESTOP

whistlestop.org 7

For more than 20 years, The Marin Hu-mane Society has been visiting convales-cent centers to provide animal-assisted

therapy. In 1987, the award-winning SHARE Program expanded its animal-assisted therapy to help seniors and people with AIDS who still live at home with their animal companions. SHARE volunteers walk dogs, groom cats, transport pets to the veterinarian or the groomer, and deliver free pet food and pet supplies to SHARE clients. The Side-by-Side program is the largest part of SHARE and is currently assisting 220 clients with 150 dogs, 196 cats and 38 birds. Side-by-Side matches support, volunteer efforts and donated services with qualifi ed pet guardians in need. Assistance is offered in the form of pet food, veterinary care, grooming, regular visits to clients by volunteers, transportation to the veteri-narian or groomer, dog walking, litterbox clean-ing, and emergency boarding of pets in the event of the hospitalization of clients. Networking with other service organizations in the county is vital to coordinating assistance to the growing num-ber of older adults in Marin. There are 20 volun-teers working in the Side-by-Side program. ✦

Marin Humane Society’s SHARE Helps Older Adults

Whistlestop Wheels Lifeline

Senior Citizen’s Discount!$2OFF 1 Notary Signature FeeOne coupon per Signer per Notary Visit. Expires 12/1/11.Fees: Commute Fee + $10/SignatureCall to Schedule an Appointment [email protected]

MARIN NOTARY & LOAN SIGNING SPECIAL!

You’re Never Alone with

Lifeline®

Lifeline with AutoAlert® allows you to live independently. Lifeline also offers

the Philips Medication Dispensing Service. Call for details.

visit us on the web:www.lifelinenorthbay.com

Call for more info:

1-800-949-2434(707) 778-7883

visit us on the web:

On average, one of every three adults over the age of 65 falls each year, making falls the most common cause of death or injury in the home. Lifeline with AutoAlert is the ONLY pendant-style Help Button that automatically places a call for help if a fall is detected. The Lifeline Service is remarkably affordable with no long term commitment.

PARATRANSIT: transportation service that supplements larger public transit systems by providing

individualized rides without fi xed routes or timetables. Whistlestop Wheels is not just for older adults. To be eligible, you only need to show that you are unable to use fi xed route trans-portation, some of the time or all of the time, due to a disability or impairment. The only age requirement that Whistlestop has is the client must be over the age of 5. Clients fi ll out an application form, which usually takes about 15 minutes. If someone wants to go out to dinner or grocery shop-ping, they can just call at least 1 to 7 days in advance to book rides, which can be one way or multiple rides to different destinations. To register or for information, call 415-456-9062, ext. 160, or visit [email protected]. ✦


Keep Learning atWHISTLESTOPBEGINNING COMPUTERS FOR ADULTS LEVEL IIThursdays, September 15-October 20 • 10 to NoonComputer Room | Fee: $60 for 6 classesInstructor: Ed EssickRegistration required: call 459-6700Build on the skills learned in Beginning Computers for Adults Level I. You will learn how to: work with the programs and features of Windows, create and save documents using a word processing program, search the Internet using search engines, save and organize information, such as pictures and documents, work with email and attachments, secure your computer from intrusion, and download information and programs from the Internet.

BEGINNING COMPUTER/PICTURE CLASS 2nd Friday • 2 to 4pmComputer Room | Instructor: Gene DyerFee: $15 | Prerequisite: Basic Computer SkillsRegistration required: call 459-6700Here’s your opportunity to learn how to share your digital photos with friends and family. Learn how to set up your computer to receive photos and how to transfer them from your camera, CD or fl ash drive onto your computer’s hard drive. Once on the computer, learn how to send and receive them with your friends by attaching them to your e-mail program. Bring Camera & Cable.

ADVANCED COMPUTER/PICTURE CLASS3rd Friday • 2 to 4pmComputer Room | Instructor: Gene DyerFee: $15 | Registration required: 459-6700Prerequisite: Beginners Class or experience transferring pictures from camera to computer & using as attachments to e-mailsView various ways to display your pictures, on your computer, on your TV, and on other people’s computers using slide shows, Word or PDF documents, Power Point Presentation with text and sound and Movie format including text, fades and sound.

COMPUTER LAB DROP-IN CLASSWednesdays, • 10 to 2pm & Mondays • 10 to Noon (starting Aug 15)Computer Room | FreeWould you like some extra help practicing your computer skills?Whistlestop offers free drop-in computer instruction

every week in the Computer Room. One-on-one instruction provided.

LAUGHTER CLUBCall for Dates and TimesInstructor: Susan Wilkins, certifi ed Laughter Club LeaderFree | 456-9062Exercise your funny bone! Express your emotions! Reawaken your inner child!Some benefi ts of Laughter Club are: Safe cardiac workout, detoxify the lungs with deep breathing, lower blood pressure with laughter and stimulate the brain and release endorphins. All fi tness levels welcome. Dress comfy and wear socks.

MAH JONGGWednesdays • 10:30 to NoonFacilitator: Shirley Etemadfar | FreeRegistration 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.

REMEMBRANCE WRITING 101Thursdays •2 to 4pmBoard Room | Fee: $5Facilitator: Claudia Carroll | 456-9062 YOU have a story to tell because you have LIVED LIFE! Share your remembrance stories with others in the workshop, then with friends and family. Write about your grandparents, parents, brothers and sisters, your school chums and even your pets! Write about your hopes and dreams that came true, and the ones you are still dreaming up! All you need is a notebook with lined paper (a 3 hole notebook with lined paper and divider inserts is best) and pens

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whistlestop.org 9

Scheduling Rides: 454-0964Cancelling Rides: [email protected] Driver Program: 454-0969

Transportation Numbers

Elder Wisdom Life Teachings Workshop SeriesFridays, August 19-September 16 • 10 to 11:30amCaboose | Suggested donation: $5/classFacilitator: Pamela Anandi Nelson, life coach456-9062Explore who you are, reclaim your power and vitality, and contribute to your world. Using a curriculum developed through courses in Japanese Psychology and Integral Leadership, Anandi will lead a group through:

Embracing the power of attention• Taking action• Using self-refl ection and gratitude• Finding and renewing purpose•

COMING SOON IN SEPTEMBER!Flu Vaccination Clinic at Whistlestop

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIESContact: Debbie at 456-9062 or [email protected]

Information and Referral Offi ce • – Computer exp. Required

Jackson Café volunteers needed• Front Desk/ Host(ess)•

or pencils. The sessions will be on-going, so come every week, or drop in whenever you can.

YOGA WITH KELLYFridays • 3 to 4pmInstructor: Kelly Lynch, yoga instructor since 1999Fee: $3 per class | 456-9062 Come enjoy a wonderful hour of yoga. Yoga enables you to gain and maintain balance, strength and fl exibility of both body and mind. Previous yoga experience is not necessary. Modifi cations of the postures will be taught so that all levels can be accommodated. Wear comfortable, loose clothing that you can move in. Bring a yoga mat if you have one and a small bottle of water if you would like.

ART PROJECT CLASS1st Friday • 11 to 12:30pmInstructor: Celeste ParcellFree | 456-9062 Learn how to create different types of art projects.September 2: Fan Earrings

AARP DRIVER SAFETY RENEWAL COURSESaturday, August 13 • 9 to 1:30pmJackson CaféFee: $12/AARP Members, $14/Non-MembersPre-Registration Required: 459-6700 This course is for drivers who have taken the 8-hour driver safety course within the last 4 years or who have taken a renewal class within the last 4 years to maintain your insurance discount. At the end of this course a certifi cate of completion will be given.

STEPPING STRONG PROGRAMStarting AugustFee: $25 for 10 week programFacilitator: Susie Van BuskirkInterested: 456-9062 or [email protected]: Lifelong Fitness Alliance and AARPExtending vitality…one step at a time!Join your peers for weekly walks and health and wellness lessons. When you join you get a pedometer to measure your daily steps, scheduled weekly group walks, a support system to help you succeed, nutrition and wellness information and tips, this fun program will give you fi tness, camaraderie, and sense of achievement.

When: Thursday, September 8 10 am to 12:30pmWhere: Margeret Todd Senior Center 1560 Hill Rd., Novato, CAPresenter: Stu Maddux, FilmmakerDirector &Producer: Special GuestTopic: GenSilent, Film Viewing and Panel Discussion

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Commission on Aging Meeting


WhistlestopACTIVITIES This Month at Whistlestop

TIME CLASS LOCATION MISC. COST

9:30–10:30 AM Reading Club for Box Car 454-0998 for info Free Spanish Speakers 10:00–11:00 AM AM Monday (Discussion) Caboose 2 457-0586 for info Free11:00–12:30 PM German Social Group Box Car Open Free4:00–5:30 PM Citizenship Class Caboose 454-0998 for info Free

9:15–10:15 AM Whistlesizers (Exercise) Caboose Open $210:00–2:00 PM Asian Social Group Caboose 454-1552 for info Free10:45–11:45 AM Cardio Exercise Caboose Open Free11:00–12:30 PM German Group Box Car Open Free1:00–3:00 PM Learn Spanish Caboose Open Free2:00–3:00 PM ESL Vietnamese Caboose 454-1552 for info Free2:00–3:30 PM English Conversation Board Room 454-0998 for info Free

9:15–10:15 AM Whistlesizers (Exercise) Caboose Open $210:00–2:00 PM Asian Social Group Caboose 454-1552 for info Free10:30–NOON Watercolors with Hilda Lounge Open Free2:00-3:30 PM English Conversation Caboose 454-0998 for info Free 2:00–4:00 PM Remembrance Writing Board Room Open $53:00–4:00 PM Basic English for Caboose 457-0586 for info Free Spanish Speakers

9:00–10:15 AM Tai Chi Qigong Caboose Suggested Donation $1010:00–11:30 AM Seniors' Circle (Support) Board Room Open Free10:00–2:00 PM Computer Lab Computer Lab Open Free10:45–11:45 AM Corazón Latino Caboose Open Free3:00–4:00 PM Basic English for Caboose 457-0586 for info Free Spanish Speakers

11:00–1:00 PM WS Knitters Caboose 1st Fri. Arts & Crafts Free1:30–3:30 PM ACASA (Support/Training) Board Room Peer Counseling Free1:30–3:30 PM Practice Spanish (Club) Staff Lounge Open Free2:00–4:00 PM Friday Movie Caboose 1st, 3rd & 5th Fridays $22:00–4:00 PM Arts & Crafts w/Vicky Caboose 457-0586 for info $2-$33:00–4:00 PM Yoga with Kelly Jackson Café 456-9062 for info $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.

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ENU 60+ PRICES/ UNDER 60 PRICES

Main Entrée $4.00/$6.75Sandwiches $3.75/$5.00Soup 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

Jackson Café Monday-Friday 11:30am-2:00pmLocated in Whistlestop Active Aging CenterJackson Café

whistlestop.org 11

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

When I was a boy

I remember two things about the lawns back in Hopkins, Minnesota, when I was a

boy. I remember being paid 50¢ to mow small lawns with a push-

and-sweat mower; I was paid $1 if it was large, or overgrown and wet. The other thing I remember about lawns is the Robins. Robins pulling worms from the lawn, Robins eating insects on the lawn, and Robins singing cheer-up, cheer-up, cheer-re in the branches of the trees over the lawns. Well the days of pushing a lawnmower for 50¢ a lawn are long gone and, I am sorry to say, most of the Robins as well. My last trip to Minnesota to visit friends at a high school class reunion was a mix, part joy and part sorrow. My small hometown, once surrounded by small farms and smaller woods, has been swallowed up in a suburban sprawl, miles and miles of fast

highways speeding through trimmed, sanitized open spaces, patches of tidy trees with little un-dergrowth, and power machine manicured lawns with nary a Robin about. I presume the Robins have all gone because there are no worms. The Robin is also known as the Harbinger of spring so I was more than delighted to fi nd this American Robin hopping about and catching insects on the lawn outside the Red Barn, near Point Reyes Station in early May. Then I knew, for sure, that summer was coming. I had had my doubts. I email an interesting bird photo to Express readers every weekend. If you’d like something nice to look at in your In-box, email me at [email protected] – it’s free. ✦

‘Till next time,Richard

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Are you rattling around in a big house you don’t really need anymore? Is mainte-nance more trouble than it’s worth? Want

to lock up and take off whenever you’d like? If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, think about the following:Considering a move can be daunting, but if we go step-by-step, we can get a great result. Would you like to join friends in sunnier climes? Perhaps live closer (but not too close) to the grandkids? Free up the equity in your home to travel and enjoy? Let me tell you about a client and friend, Ray. Ray was a retired electrician whose wife had died fi ve years earlier. He had been living alone in the house they had built in downtown Mill Valley, and Ray was kind of lonely. His garage had been his work storage, fi lled with electrical supplies. Unfortunately, that was a barrier to selling. Luckily, we found a buyer who was an electri-

Take it one stepat a time

Downsizing Your House (Empty Nesters)B y J A C K M C L A U G H L I N

cian and wanted the house and all the equip-ment. Ray moved to the Redwoods, a senior community in Mill Valley, with some trepi-dation. But when I stopped by a few months

after he moved in, Ray was energized, transformed. Sorry, but he couldn’t chat for long as his group was off to the City for a theatre matinee. A few tips:• Get rid of all that stuff. Be rigorous. • Check with your fi nancial and

legal advisors. Find the best way to dispose of your home, provide for your heirs, and donate to your favorite causes, like Whis-tlestop. Now’s the time.

• If you will be buying a condo, scrutinize the documents and fi nancials very carefully.

• Prepare your home for market. This means removing clutter, painting and re-car-peting. Your agent can recommend cost-effective helpers. Don’t start big remodel projects.

• Price your home correctly. People who price too high often put up with the annoyance of showing their home for months, only to sell for less than if they had priced it right from the start.

Take it one step at a time. Be like Ray: get good help and emerge with new friends and interests. ✦Jack McLaughlin is the founder of My Broker Donates (www.mybrokerdonates.com), which connects buyers and sellers with brokers who agree to donate 15% of their fee to non-profi ts like Whistlestop.

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You may have heard about our recent grant from the Marin Community Foundation.We are grateful for this ongoing support

and appreciate being recognized as an organi-zation that is doing the important work to end loneliness every day for Marin’s older adults. I have been asking community members about Whistlestop’s reputation and am learning that most people think highly of the work we do. However, there is a general misconception that Whistlestop is a “well funded” nonprofi t organization. Truth is, we cannot meet the growing demand for our services without the community support of thousands of people like you. The good news is that we have added over 600 new, fi rst-time Whistlestop donors in the past 18 months. However, the average dona-tion amount per gift has decreased during that same time. We are trying to get the word out that we need community support. So what do we do with your fi nancial gifts? Whistlestop:• Provides transportation to those living with

disabilities. Did you know that we operate 365 days a year?

• Provides specialized transportation services for programs like Novato Dial-a-Ride and Health Express.

• Operates the Jackson Café that provides sub-sidized low cost meals for people over 60 and affordable lunches for anyone under 60.

• Provides a volunteer-staffed HelpDesk to take calls from people who need assistance in any kind of issue that may arise for an older adult and his or her family.

• Publishes a monthly FREE Whistlestop Express newsletter, a resource for the Active Aging Movement in Marin and distributes 25,000 copies a month via a partnership with the Pacifi c Sun.

• Publishes a FREE Directory of Older Adult Services for Marin County.

• Collaborates with other nonprofi ts to suc-

cessfully serve each other’s clients.• Provides classes for immigrants to successfully

and legally integrate into the community.• Provides social groups for older adults who

speak English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Farsi, and German.

• Teaches educational, spiritual, and physically supportive classes to keep the mind, body, and spirit energized.

That’s a lot for one organization and yet, we want to do more, reach more of you, and be here when you need us. Please consider how you can help by making a fi nancial contribution, telling your friends and family about the important community work that we do, volunteering your time, or committing to leaving a legacy to Whis-tlestop in your will so that these vital services can continue well into the future. Thank you for your continued generosity and support. ✦

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WhistlestopOUTREACHWhistlestop Needs YouB y Y V O N N E D U J A T R O B E R T S D e v e l o p m e n t a n d M a r k e t i n g D i r e c t o r


Since its inception in the late 70s, wheel-chair tennis has become one of the popular wheelchair sports in the U.S. And now

comes a new twist: Up/Down Doubles tennis. The idea: the Up player (able-bodied) teams up with the Down (disabled) player who plays in a special-ly built, $4,000 wheelchair with cambered wheels for increased stability, mobility and quick turns. The game uses the same court and the same rules as regular tennis, except that wheelchair players are allowed two bounces.

Tracey Milne of Larkspur is Director of !MPAKT Wheelchair Tennis. She was born and reared in South Af-rica and came to the U.S. as an exchange student in 1981. She later came back to go to school at San Francisco State Uni-versity and never left. Until now, people in Marin who wanted to play Up/Down tennis had to travel to Sac-ramento or San Jose for games. “I love it,” said Tracey. “It fi ts my philosophy, which is to integrate able-bodied

people into activities with disabled people.” She said it is a tricky game at times. “Especially when the ball comes in the middle of the court. It requires lots of good communications.”

Henrik Hartz (left) of Fairfax is very active, he is a paraplegic, who sails, plays tennis, hand cycles, water skis, snow skis, and rides a motorcycle with a sidecar. Michelle Skipwith (center), of San Rafael, is the Tennis Service Rep for USTA NorCal, Marin, Sonoma and Napa counties. On right is Tracey Milne of Larkspur, who plays both “Up” and “Down” tennis to better understand the experience of a wheelchair player. Photo was taken at !MPAKT’s fi rst tennis clinic earlier this year.

Join the weekly Up/Down Tennis Social Thursdays from 6 to 7:30pm at Corte Madera Town Park tennis courts. Two tennis/sports wheelchairs will be available for use, spare racquets and plenty of tennis balls. 415-971-4841

Up/Down Tennis Brings Able-Bodied, Wheelchair Users Together

Who are the players in chairs? “Paraplegic, quadriplegic. Some used to play tennis before they were injured, others never have tried it. It’s open to anyone who is capable to move around in a sports chair and can hold a racquet. Some peo-ple duct-tape the racquet to their hands because their grip isn’t quite strong enough otherwise.” Current players who come to her range in age from 12 to their mid-50s. “But, this is open to all ages – I would love to see more older adults try it, both able-bodied and those in chairs.” Tracey is an able-bodied athlete, who has competed in all kinds of activities, including the swim from Alcatraz and tennis tourna-ments. She says, “When I fi rst went to play an Up/Down game, I thought to myself that I was going to kick some butt. I was surprised to fi nd that it was much tougher for me than I expected. The players in chairs are so low, they are down there and when they hit a shot, you sometimes don’t see it coming until way late. Everyone should try this.” ✦

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Herb Meyer turned a traumatic sail-ing accident that

injured his spinal cord and left him a quadriple-gic in 1993 into a passion for making sailing possi-ble for people with disabil-ities. Meyer, a Larkspur resident who recently turned 80, is currently chair of the U.S. Sail-ing Association’s Special Needs Committee. He also teaches sailing, something he did before the accident, but now he does it from a wheel-chair. He also sails a 13-foot boat by himself, with the help of a joystick. In fact, Herb has competed in many races since that fateful day 18 years ago. The accident occurred while he was crew-ing for a skipper on a 50-foot sailboat with a brilliant red hull, the Xanadu, out of Pier 39. They were returning and it was going beauti-fully when the skipper directed Herb to ease the big Genoa sail (forward sail). He uncleat-ed the sheet (released the line) when a strong gust of wind hit and Herb was hurled into the air. His body crashed into the bulkhead and the main cabin and he wound up on the deck, injured for life. Herb, who had been racing sailboats since he was 12 years old in New Jersey, seemed destined to never sail again. But within a year of his accident, he was back aboard a sailboat, thanks to a bumper sticker on his wheelchair. He was shopping for groceries when a stranger came up to him and said he had noticed the “Sailors Have More Fun” sticker and asked, “Do you sail?” Herb replied that he used to be a sailor. The stranger asked, “Want to go sail-ing?” Herb couldn’t refuse the invitation. He went down to the docks, was hoisted in a sling onto a specially fi tted boat. Velcro was used to strap his hand to the tiller so he could steer. That was the start of his new life. He joined and became a spokesperson for the Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors, the or-ganization that got him back onto a sailboat.

Paralyzed in Accident, He Now Helps Disabled Sailors

Answers on page 13

He began racing again, including in the 1999 Canadian National Cham-pionships. He’s now planning for a world champion-ship race next year in Sydney Harbor. Closer to home, he offers sailing lessons every Sat-urday morning at Southeast Harbor. Herb’s advice to

anyone who has been disabled in an acci-dent? “Get up, get out and get going.” ✦

Herb sails across bay in his 13-footer.


Marin Senior Coordinating Council

930 Tamalpais AvenueSan Rafael, CA 94901-3325

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