From the Director
Thanks to you, it was a Happy Birthday!
Many thanks to all of you wonderful people for helping us have such a happy birthday.
We are so fortunate to have so many generous friends - you are the frosting on our cake, and you made all of our wishes come true. Over half of our members are receiving free or subsidized memberships, and your support means we can continue to welcome anyone who wants to join NEXT.
Save the Date - SPRING FLING 2022
Spring Fling - the evening of Friday, March 25th - this years’ theme: Mad Hatter (or any hat!) Please join us at the best outdoor venue we know of: Piazza Pellegrini, for fun, food, live music, and quite possibly, dancing (we’ve never held an event where y’all didn’t get up and dance!) Also…prizes for best Hatters and Hats! Watch your email for more information. We hope to see you there! We’ll also honor Janet Crane, co-founder and chair of NEXT, for her 12 years of incredible service to the organization and members alike. Want to sponsor the event? Give me a shout!
Important Annual Survey
Members: Did you receive an annual survey from us? If so, we would appreciate it if you could complete it, asap. As part of our funding from the Department of Aging & Disability Services, we are required to inquire as to whether or not you think that being a member of NEXT has been helpful to you - have we increased your socialization; helped you learn something that promotes independence as you age-in-place, provided you with any support via services or referrals? If you need us to send another copy, please just let us know (415-888-2868, info@nextvillagesf.org ) and we’ll send it out immediately. If you prefer, we can have a volunteer call and you can respond via phone. Thank you!
|
|
|
|
Oh Baby! |
|
My
daughter had her second child at 12:42am on Christmas morning! (Her
oldest was born on Halloween!) They now have a sweet baby boy named
Jensen Zimmer Seifer. His nickname is “Zim”. Gram-Gram got to cut the
umbilical cord. The world can be a crummy place, but being around a baby
forces you into the present and shifts your focus to pure joy.
Stay well out there!
Jacqueline - jjones@nextvillagesf.org 415-888-2868
|
|
|
|
|
|
Camille's Volunteer Corner
Meet James!
James was nominated by one of our members as volunteer of the month for sharing his tech expertise! James has helped our members with everything from fixing their printers, setting up Ring doorbells, and more. He’s become something of an IT legend among the Village. When asked to share about his experience with NEXT Village, James said this: “I started volunteering a few months after the start of the pandemic when I was between jobs. So far, it has been an amazing opportunity to share my tech knowledge with others. Everyone is so kind, trusting, and patient, especially considering that some of the tech problems can take 2-3 hours to address. "But aside from the opportunity to share his wealth of tech know-how, what James has enjoyed most is listening to the stories our members have to tell. In his words, “It's not every day that I can disassemble a computer to install a new hard drive and at the same time have a conversation about life in San Francisco in the 1980s!”
James, thank you for sharing your tech expertise with our members! If a NEXT Village volunteer put a smile on your face or went above & beyond, feel free to let us know and we'll pass it on!
Be well - Camille. 415-574-0156, Camille@nextvillagesf.org
|
|
|
|
Friday, February 4 | Time TBD: 1 - 3 PM or 3 - 5 PM | Marina/Cow Hollow
Marina/Cow Hollow Neighborhood Cleanup
We're joining the Marina-Cow Hollow Neighbors and Merchants and Refuse Refuse to clean up the streets around the Marina and Cow Hollow. All supplies provided, plus use of fashionable orange vests! Join us to help keep San Francisco clean! Friends and neighbors of all ages welcome! Just ask them to register so we'll bring sufficient supplies for everyone. PLEASE NOTE: we are still waiting to find out if the time for this event is from 1-3PM or 3-5PM. We will update our online calendar when confirmed & email registrants.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tuesdays, February 8 & 22 | 1-2:30 PM | North Beach
Women's Conversation Group w/ Alex & Leslie Pellegrini
We are ecstatic to announce that Alex and Leslie Pellegrini are doing their popular facilitated Women’s Conversation Group again in person (if Covid doesn't mess with us again). This group is a special community for women who want to join a close knit and welcoming group. You never know what questions will be asked as you learn more about each other’s interests, values, and lives. Group will meet twice a month on 2nd and 4th Tuesdays on Green St near Columbus Ave in collaboration with Italian Community Services. In person, indoor event. Advance registration required. Participants must be fully Covid vaccinated & boosted & wear a mask. Click button below to register for Feb 8 (with option register for 2/22 also) or click here to register for 2/22 only.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, February 8 | 5-6 PM | On Zoom
Valentine's Day Card Making
This card-making workshop is sure to help you spread the love this Valentine's Day. It's a Zoom event, but the supplies will be delivered to your home ahead of time so you'll have everything you need to create a pretty card for someone special. Please register asap to guarantee yourself a spot. Members receive priority.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, February 9 | 12 PM | On Zoom
How to Create a Budget for Retirement & Beyond Workshop
Creating a budget doesn’t come naturally to most of us. After retirement, it’s important to manage your finances to ensure you have enough money to last and so you can save for a special trip, pay down debt, or be prepared for unexpected health, household or other expenses. A budget is a way to create a plan for your money, and that can help you reach other money goals. In this workshop, we’ll talk about tools that can help you track expenses, tools for creating a budget, and different approaches to budgeting. As a bonus, Andrea Coombs will also tell you about the SF LGBT Center’s FREE Smart Money Coaching program, which offers confidential, 1-on-1 financial coaching for San Franciscans. Smart Money is offered in partnership with SF’s Office of Financial Empowerment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Friday, February 11 | 1 - 2:30 PM | Presidio
Walking Group: Presidio Lovers' Lane & Wood Line
Intrepid walkers are invited to join us for a Presidio walk combining art, history, romance, and an uphill slope to get in some exercise! We’ll walk up Lovers’ Lane -- the oldest footpath through the Presidio (used by Spanish soldiers and missionaries to get to Mission Dolores and to visit their lovers and family in SF). We’ll detour to walk along Wood Line, an art installation by Andy Goldsworthy made up of felled tree trunks in a zigzagging installation. Want more exercise? Optional to walk down the Lyon St steps and/or check out Billionaire’s row. In person, outdoor event with paved and loose dirt paths. Approximately 1 1/2 mile uphill walk (average grade 9%; maximum grade 21%). Challenge level = easy to moderate.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Monday, February 14 | 1:30 - 2:30PM | On Zoom
Valentine's Day Improv Show
The NEXT Village Improv players invite you to a Valentine's Day Improv Show that's bound to tickle your funny bone and warm your heart! Improv — short for improvization — is live theater where everything is made up on the spot. The show is completely unscripted, so you never know what will happen or where things will go as the NEXT Village Improv players are given a cue, and run with it! Come have fun watching our Improv players and celebrate Valentine's Day with side splitting laughter! Spread the love and invite your friends and family. Free & open to all who register in advance. Director: Louise Vogel
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, February 15 | 12-1 PM | On Zoom
Tech Teach In: Fall Detection Devices
Learn how a Smart Watch can detect falls, alert family and authorities. Apple and Android watches may be a good alternative to other wearable devices/ pendants that require a monthly subscription.
With a number of fall detection watches now available, many older adults and their families are wondering about getting a smart watch with fall detection instead of a more conventional medical alert pendant — or just as an added safety tool for everyday life...click here to read about the best fall detection watches evaluated by Tech-enhanced Life.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hiking the Appalachian Trail - Not every hike goes off without a hitch!
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, February 15 | 3-4:15PM | On Zoom
Not every hike goes off without a hitch! Join pro-hiker Eric Steger for a presentation on the highs and lows of hiking the Appalachian Trail last year. Eric has done countless long-distance hikes, but this one presented some challenges that were a bugger to overcome! Eric kept us all glued to our screens last year when he shared photos and stories from his Pacific Crest Trail enduro hike.
See great images from the trail and hear some crazy stories and ask questions of this intrepid hiker!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, February 16 | 12 - 1:30 PM | Marina
Walking Group: Upper Fort Mason Exploration & History Walk
Join us for a walk to explore the history of Fort Mason while getting in some exercise. Fort Mason's hilltop promontory has been used for harbor defenses for over 200 years by the Spanish, the Mexican and the United States military. Some things we'll see include a Civil War cannon battery, a wonderful community garden, restored Black Point gardens, a hostel, a chapel in Mission Revival style and a Beniamino "Benny" Bufano statue. We'll provide some brief history snippets along the way. Walk is under 2 miles and involves dirt paths, stairs, and moderate slopes. Register to receive the meeting location in Upper Fort Mason. In person, outdoor event.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thursday, February 17 | 4:30 - 6:30PM | North Beach
Enjoy Live Music at Belle Cora
If you like live music and want to meet up with friends old & new, join Kathy Cady at Belle Cora -- a warm, cozy neighborhood wine bar that offers live music to enjoy a talented Irish fiddle player and other musicians. The music is free, but please order a beverage or food to support the restaurant. Register in advance. In person, outdoor event (with heaters!) Questions or suggestions for future venues/bands or places to listen to music and/or go dancing? Email donna@nextvillagesf.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sunday, March 13th, between 11am-2pm
ONE HARD THING Returns!
Sponsored by the young professionals at SF Evening Rotary, One Hard Thing is a chance to have younger folks with an endless supply of elbow grease come to your home and help with tasks that are just too hard for one person. And, it's another reason to join NEXT... because this is a member-only event.
Here are some examples of how we might be able to help:
Flip a mattress or dust under the bed
Stand on a stool or ladder and change lightbulbs
Wash a window or two
Help plant some flowers
Help update your computer or untangle cords
Shake out rugs
Change batteries in flashlights and smoke detectors
Break up all of those Amazon boxes and take them to the recycling bin
No project too small! Generally, a team will be able to spend about an hour or so at each home.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weekly & Monthly Events
WEEKLY EVENTS
To register for any of our ongoing weekly events, go to our events calendar to select an event to sign up: nextvillagesf.org/upcoming-events. New people are always welcome!
MONDAYS
- 3PM - Spanish Conversation Group - conversation group, not a class. New people welcome to practice & dust off conversation skills. On Zoom.
TUESDAYS
- 1:30 PM - Bocce and Boules - weekly bocce and boules games on the North Beach library courts. In person - DiMaggio Playground Courts.
WEDNESDAYS
- 10:30AM - French Conversation Group – moderated French conversation group with weekly discussion topics (not a class). On Zoom.
- 2:15PM - Chair Yoga & Meditation - stretch and improve your flexibility. On Zoom.
THURSDAYS
- 11AM - Italian Conversation Group - friendly & convivial conversation group open to anyone conversant in Italian (and beginners who want to listen in). Not a class. On Zoom.
FRIDAYS
- 10AM - Mindful Meditation - learn about and practice various types of meditation techniques. On Zoom.
---------------------- MONTHLY EVENTS
To register for any of our regular monthly events, go to our events calendar to select an event to sign up: nextvillagesf.org/upcoming-events
- 2/4, 1PM - Drink & Draw - Learn to paint with watercolor. You may also use pencils. On Zoom.
- 2/8 & 22, 11AM - Men's Conversation Group - share ideas and discuss what's going on in our lives and beyond. On Zoom.
- 2/8 & 22, 1 PM - Women's Conversation Group w/ Alex & Leslie Pellegrini - Alex and Leslie have restarted their popular facilitated women’s conversation group. See special events above for details. In Person - North Beach.
- 2/10, 11:30AM - Lunch Is Served! Lunch with The Bunch! Please pre-register for headcount. In Person - Wildseed, 2000 Union Street, seasonal vegan cuisine.
- 2/14, 1PM - Improv This! Improvization Theatre Show - This month instead of our usual class, our Improv players will do a Valentine Show so you can see for yourself how much fun Improv is (and maybe join us in a future month to participate?) See special events section above for details. On Zoom.
- 2/14 & 28, 1PM - Writing Group - informal, facilitated writing group. On Zoom.
- 2/14, 4PM - Cheers! Happy Hour at The Showdown, 1268 Grant Avenue. Please register. In Person - North Beach.
- 2/17, 1PM - Stress Busters Workshop & Discussion Group - learn how to better handle your reaction to situations. Open to regulars & first timers! On Zoom.
- 2/18, 4PM - Trivial Pursuit - February's theme: LOVE! On Zoom.
- 2/23, 4PM - Reading Circle with Ms. Kim - Read what you like and tell us about it! Piazza Pellegrini. In Person - North Beach.
|
|
|
|
Two Out Women to Lead BART Board
The Bay Area Rapid Transit District board will be led for the first time by two out women, directors decided at their December 16 meeting. Rebecca Saltzman, a lesbian, is the new president, while Janice Li, a queer woman of color, is the vice president. Saltzman represents District 3 on the transit agency's board, which includes part of Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Li represents District 8, which includes parts of San Francisco.
|
|
|
|
Chinese New Year Parade. Gung Hay Fat Choy! Sat. Feb 19th. 5:15pm -8:15 https://chineseparade.com/
新年游行将于2022年回归
去年因疫情游行中断后,旧金山中国春节游行计划于 2022 年回归。旧金山中华总商会周三宣布其标志性节日的回归。 2022 年虎年游行定于 2 月 19 日星期六举行。为了加强新冠的安全预防措施,节日组织者要求所有符合条件的志愿者和游行队伍的成员都必须接种疫苗,并全程佩戴口罩。
旧金山的新年节日和游行始于 1860 年代,自 1950 年以来一直由商会组织。据商会称,该市的游行是亚洲以外最大的农历新年庆祝活动。旧金山,2022 年将在 2 月 1 日当天在唐人街举行农历新年庆祝活动,随后在 2 月 19 日的游行之前举行其他几项活动——更多细节将公布。欢迎参加!
|
|
|
|
Welcome New NEXT Members! |
|
|
|
January Laurie Kaufman
Lenore Domash
Myra Reybear
|
|
|
|
NEXT has a podcast!
Be sure to listen to our podcast, "NOT BORN YESTERDAY". “Not Born Yesterday” will focus on the challenges and joys our members and friends experience related to aging. It's about playing, working, loving, laughing and enjoying the possibilities and opportunities in our later years. Our podcast brings you the wisdom and voices of experts in the field of aging and offer tips on how to feel your best, use your lifetime skills and experience, and make the coming months and years as fulfilling as possible.
Give it a listen on any podcast app, like Apple, Spotify, or click below to listen. New episodes every Friday!
Grandparenting in the 21st Century
Single? Childless? Aging Alone Just Means Making a Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
Watch for email and text New Scam
In the past few months we have received a number of scam requests from unsuspecting members. Here's what we are receiving:
How are you? i need a favor from you. Sorry for the inconvenience. I need to get a PlayStation Gift Card for my nephew, it's his birthday today and I totally forgot i can't do this now because I'm currently on a short trip. Can you help grab one from any store around you? i'll pay you as soon as i am back. kindly let me know if you can handle this.
If you receive a similar message, ignore or delete it. People wanting to purchase gift cards can do so online.
|
|
|
|
Free COVID Rapid Tests
On January 12, 2022, the Biden Administration announced that private health insurance plans will need to cover the costs of up to 8 test kits per month for each of their plan enrollees by submitting receipts, or else directly provide the free test kits as an alternative. You can also order up to 4 free tests here: https://www.covidtests.gov/. If you need help ordering your test kits or need help administering the test kit, call Camille at 415-574-0156 and she will either walk you through it or send you an instructional video.
|
|
|
|
|