From the Director
Dear NEXT Village Community -
How did it get to be August? Nooooo. I waited so long for summer
and poof! it's almost over. On the up side, we are hosting a number of great
events which should take the sting out of this fleeting season.
Please help us identify auction items Solicitation of items for our annual auction for our Halloween Fundraiser is underway. Please let us know if you can donate any item (BIG or small, service, gift certificate, lodging, tickets, wine, etc.) to help NEXT Village support those who depend on us. Rumor has it that donors could have one of the newly discovered galaxies named after them! Good luck!
Chock-a-block We know our newsletter is
long. It's our fault for hosting so many great social, cultural, and
educational events. Remember to scroll all the way to the bottom for
helpful News You Can Use articles, LGBTQ news, a featured article in
Chinese, and more.
We hope to see you soon, Around The Village! Until then, take care,
Jacqueline & the team at NEXT.
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Camille's Volunteer Corner
Meet Grant!
Hi! My name is Grant and I'm a software engineer from Bend, Oregon. I moved to San Francisco last year after finishing college and currently live in the Mission District. When I'm not volunteering, I enjoy outdoor activities like rock climbing, biking, and running.
I like volunteering at NEXT Village because I work remotely and volunteering gives me an opportunity to participate in my community. I like helping folks with technology because I get to combine my joy for teaching and my passion for technology. My passion for volunteering came from working with an organization similar to NEXT Village in Oregon where I got to tutor folks on technology!
Grant, thank you for volunteering your time and going above and beyond! 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
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To register for events, visit our Events Calendar HERE
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JULY/AUGUST SPECIAL EVENTS
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Wednesday, July 27 | 1-2:30 PM | Castro
Walking Tour: Castro Surprises
You may think you know the Castro, but you probably have not seen all of its myriad treasures, many of which are hidden in plain sight. There are the charming children's mosaics at the Harvey Milk Academy, the amazing Caselli Mansion (a Queen Anne on steroids), an interesting Spanish style home once lived in by Robin Williams, and the thought provoking Pink Triangle Park, to name a few. Follow John Nockels, an experienced and incredible tour guide, for a fun and informative walk through the neighborhood.
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Tuesday, August 2 | 12 PM | On Zoom
Tech Teach-In: What's a Podcast? What am I Missing out on? How do I Listen?
Many people listen to Fresh Air, but did you know you can listen to any episode you want, whenever you want, wherever you are? That's the beauty of podcasts: they let you listen to your favorite shows on your own time.
Join us as Harrison gives us the scoop on podcasts. He will cover what they are, how to find them, and where to listen. We will also have special guests Miriam Goodman and Lynn Winter Gross (the hosts of Not Born Yesterday, a NEXT Village-sponsored podcast) joining the event! Miriam (pictured right) and Lynn (pictured left) will be giving a brief presentation on their podcast. Click here to listen to all their episodes.
Join us as we learn about the convenience of podcasts and how to access them.
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Tuesday, August 2 | 5-7 PM
National Night Out - Sts. Peter & Paul Parking lot, Filbert @ Powell
Here's a great opportunity to meet your neighbors as well as other community organizations. National Night Out is a free and fun event for adults and kids alike, helping to promote neighborhood safety and building community in a direct and amiable relationship with the police, firefighters and all our safety partners. Features many local favorites: Tony's Pizza, line up BBQ, the balloon fairy, a special performance from the Club Fugazzi Circus and more.
Stop by and say hello to the staff and board of NEXT Village!
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Tuesday, August 9 | 1:30-3:30 PM | Presidio
Explore Presidio Tunnel Tops + Ranger Tour of Crissy Field Past & Present
It's finally open! Come explore Presidio Tunnel Tops, San Francisco's newest national park built on top of the Presidio Parkway tunnels (which replaced Doyle Drive). We'll start with a casual walk around the new 14-acre site to take in the scenic overlooks, art murals, campfire pit, picnic areas, visitor center, and the Outpost nature play area where kids of all ages can climb, crawl, and swing! We'll then have a private walking tour with a National Park Service Ranger to learn how Crissy Field has changed through time from the Ohlone to today's park. We'll also learn about some medicinal plants and their uses.
Walk is under 2 miles on paved paths at a moderate pace. Click button for full details and to register to join us!
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Wednesday, August 10 | 12:00PM | On Zoom
10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's
Join us to learn how to recognize common signs of the disease; the difference between normal changes of aging and changes that may indicate Alzheimer's disease; other possible causes of memory changes; how to approach someone about memory concerns; the importance of early detection and benefits of a diagnosis; possible tests and assessments for the diagnostic process, and Alzheimer's Association resources. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to learn about memory changes and ask questions. Presenter: Rebecca Steinberger is a volunteer Community Educator for the Alzheimer’s Association.
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Friday, August 12, 2022 | 1:00 PM | On Zoom
Find Furry Friends: Muttville's Seniors For Seniors Program
Whether you are considering adopting a furry companion, or wish you had a place to snuggle with a lovable dog, join NEXT Village (on Zoom) to learn about Muttville's Seniors For Seniors program. Muttville finds senior dogs at risk and finds them loving forever homes. The Seniors for Seniors program makes it as easy as possible for adults aged 62+ to start enjoying time with a new furry companion (including covering adoption fees, providing essentials for your new pet, and even help with some dog modifications for your home). For those who can't adopt, Muttville's Cuddle Club offers seniors a chance to spend time snuggling up with some of their adorable mutts at the Muttville HQ. All NEXT Village dog lovers and friends are welcome to join us. After the presentation, we'll have time for dog lovers to "meet" each other on Zoom to see if anyone wants to meet at a neighborhood dog park for a playdate or Yappy Hour in the future!
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Monday, August 22 1:00PM - 3:00PM | Presidio
Walk & Talk & Bark: Presidio Letterman Loop
Join NEXT Village walkers to get moving and meet new people! We'll partner walkers by the pace and distance they are comfortable with. Our special guest on this walk will be one of Muttville’s furry little Goodwill Ambassadors (accompanied by Muttville Volunteer and Stanford Applied Compassion Training Program trainee Linda Maniwa). Well behaved pets are welcome! If you don't have a dog, you can enjoy the company of a Muttville senior dog who will be joining us for the afternoon. Paved 1.5 mile loop around the gorgeous Letterman Digital Arts Center meadow has a slight grade, but it is navigable for most wheelchairs/mobility equipment or strollers. Meeting location provided to registrants (near Lyon & Lombard Sts in the Presidio).
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Wednesday, August 24 | 10-11 AM | On Zoom
NEXT Village New Member Orientation
New and old members, and curious folks, please join us on Zoom as we explain in more detail about member benefits, how to access the volunteer coordinator, sign up for events, and most importantly, to meet other new members. Spread the love/word - feel free to tell your friends to register as well.
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Wednesday, Aug 24 | 1:00PM | On Zoom
Aging and Disability Resources and You
Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) serve as a one-stop shop in your community for you to find assistance in accessing services and resources available to seniors in San Francisco. Join us to discover some of the services and resources available to SF seniors, and types of information your local ADRC can help you with such as: caregiver assistance and support; food and nutrition; housing and shelter; In home care; legal assistance; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) programs and services; medical and dental care; transportation and more!
Don't miss this chance to find out about a free resource available to seniors at 13 locations in neighborhoods around San Francisco. Presenter: Rebecka Apolinario, Outreach Supervisor for the Institute on Aging.
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Thursday, August 25 | 1:00 PM | On Zoom
Screwing with Order: Gyöngy Laky’s Art
NEXT Village member and Artist Gyöngy Laky will discuss her extraordinary personal story and her innovative art-making process providing insight into her studio practice, activism, and life philosophy, which champions sustainable art and design, original thinking, and the value of the unexpected. Laky was born amid the bombings of World War II, escaped from post-war, Soviet-dominated Hungary, came to the US, studied at UC Berkeley and was a professor at UC Davis. Her life experiences as an immigrant and artist have just been published in a book, Gyöngy Laky, Screwing with Order, assembled art, actions and art practice. Her imaginative sculptural artworks are in many private and public collections.
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Thursday, September 22, 2022 | 7:30PM - 9:30PM | In Person
A Night with the SF Symphony Featuring Esa-Pekka Salonen
A night with the San Francisco Symphony featuring Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen and an imaginative performance of Felix Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Davies Symphony Hall. NEXT has 8 tickets ($12 each). Members receive priority. Full vaccination required for all patrons.
For questions about the venue, contact the Davies Symphony Hall at (415) 864-6000 or patronservices@sfsymphony.org.
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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
- 3 PM - Spanish Conversation Group - conversation group, not a class. New people welcome to practice & dust off conversation skills. Have fun practicing Spanish with others! 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
- 10:30 AM - French Conversation Group – moderated French conversation group with weekly discussion topics (not a class). On Zoom.
THURSDAYS
- 11 AM - 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
- 10 AM - 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
- 8/1, 15 & 29, 1PM - Writing Group - informal, facilitated writing group. On Zoom.
- 8/9 & 23, 11AM - Men's Conversation Group - share ideas and discuss what's going on in our lives and beyond. If you want to connect with some guys for interesting conversation (or know someone else looking for a great group to connect with), join this Zoom group on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of each month. On Zoom.
- 8/10, 4PM - Cheers! Happy Hour* - at the Comstock Saloon. Please register. In Person.
- 8/11, 11:30AM - Lunch Is Served! Lunch with The Bunch!* - at Square Pie Guys, located at Ghirardelli Square. Please pre-register for headcount. In Person.
- 8/11 & 25, 2 PM - Volunteer Orientation - Join volunteer coordinator, Camille Kelem, and learn all about NEXT Village and how to get involved. On Zoom.
- 8/15 and 8/17, 1PM - Improv This! Improvization Theatre Class - Beginners and veterans welcome. Come play! Monthly Improv class is held on Zoom on Monday 8/15 or In Person at Aquatic Park Senior Center on Wednesday 8/17. Join us for one or both classes the third Monday and Wednesday of each month.
- 8/18, 1PM - Stress Busters Monthly Group - learn how to better handle your reaction to situations. Each month we learn new tools to reduce stress in our lives. Open to regulars & first timers! On Zoom.
- 8/19, 4PM - Trivial Pursuit - August's theme: Europe! On Zoom.
- 8/24, 4PM - Reading Circle with Ms. Kim* - read what you like and tell us about it! Location: American Bites. In Person - North Beach.
- 8/24, 10AM - NEXT Village New Member Orientation - Join us to learn about benefits and services. Members and non-members alike are welcome! On Zoom.
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Activists call on federal government to do more to address ongoing monkeypox outbreak
Monkeypox cases rising
As of July 13th, the SF Dept. of Public health updated its monkeypox case count to 68 and the CDC raised its tally to 1,053, including 161 cases in California. Anyone can get monkeypox through close personal contact, the vast majority of cases in the current outbreak have been men who have sex with men.
The monkeypox virus spreads through close personal contact, including skin-to skin contact, kissing, and respiratory droplets at close range, but is not transmitted through the air over longer distances like the coronavirus.
Related to smallpox but less severe, monkeypox causes flu-like symptoms, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash. Most people recover without treatment within a few weeks. Vaccines are in short supply, although the Biden administration has recently taken steps to provide more.
Health officials urge anyone with a rash or other possible symptoms to seek medical care and get tested. Persons without a regular provider can contact City Clinic on 7th Street or SFAF's Magnet clinic in the Castro.
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老人更需要护肤
How to care for your skin in your 60s and 70s
现在市面上适合老年人的护肤品很少。老年人应注意选一些抗皱、保湿与比较安全的护肤产品。从类型上看,营养型的的护肤品可以减缓皮肤衰老的速度。此外,老年人还需要选择防止皮肤皮脂、水分流失并维护皮肤弹性的护肤品。平时洗脸后,可涂搽中性的润肤油剂或霜剂,以滋润皮肤,锁住皮肤表面的水分。
老人日常保养皮肤,首先要用温水洁肤,由于中老年人的皮肤相对敏感,油脂分泌少,所以不太建议用清洁类的洗面奶。其次天气转凉注意保暖,老年人皮下脂肪减少,皮肤抵抗力差,要保暖防冻伤。
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Be sure to listen to our podcast, "NOT BORN YESTERDAY" “Not Born Yesterday” focuses on the challenges and joys our members and friends experience related to aging.
Give it a listen on any podcast app, like Apple, Spotify, or click below to listen. New episodes every two weeks!
Never Too Old for Love - No matter how young or old you are, dating can be intimidating. It is even more stressful if you haven't dated for a long time. But it is possible to get out there again, and psychologist Wendy Lyon shares tips for older adults. Dr. Lyon says being confident and clear on what you want is the best way to begin.
Your Mother (Earth) Still Needs You! - Learning about climate change, pollution, unsafe water and other climate issues may not be on the top of your to do list, but get to know Elders For Climate Action, a non partisan group committed to building a sustainable future with action. Our guest, Nadine Young, communications director of ECA says older adults can use our experience and wisdom to help protect the planet for all.
From a listener -
"I've been listening to "Not Born Yesterday", and I really appreciate some of the topics you're covering.
The episode 'Does Retirement Mean Too Much Togetherness?' actually resonated on multiple levels. I've recently watched my in-laws struggle with letting go of work. My father-in-law also kept his business email as a defining memento for months longer than he should have. My mother-in-law is constantly wrestling the idea of taking one more case as a lawyer before retirement. We have this discussion a few times a year. Listening to your conversation gave me insight into how they are actually feeling. And I realized I could actually relate!
Having just moved from one city to another, I spent a few months rebuilding my daily life routine, and trying to rekindle a sense of purpose. It was rough. Though sometimes I feel like my parents-in-law and I are wildly different, I realized we were having parallel experiences. It opened the door for deeper, more vulnerable conversations...well at least with my mother-in-law :)
So THANK YOU for that. Please keep making your podcast! You are both charismatic and incredibly pleasant to listen to. You have a fan in me." Best, YF
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Welcome New NEXT Members! |
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July
Linda Galliher
Kathy Zetes
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Scam of the Month
There have been instances of paper checks being "washed": a process where a scammer will use a special solution to clean off portions of the writing on a check and put in new values (like increasing the amount of money being paid and who it's going to).
Follow these tips to protect your checks from getting washed:
- Use envelopes with security tinting
- Use a gel ink pen
- Fill the fields on your checks completely
- Mail checks from the Post Office
- Keep a detailed record of the checks you write
- Use online bill pay when possible
- Monitor your bank statements
- Purchase Identity Theft Insurance
Read more about check washing here.
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Asset limit increases significantly! |
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Historic and Welcome Change in Medi-Cal Qualification |
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Submitted by Elaine Wong Eakin
Starting July 1, 2022, California’s Medicaid’s asset limit significantly increases from $2,000 to $130,000 for an individual and $3,000 to $195,000 for a couple. This change is historic as the asset limit has not been updated since 1989.
Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid, a public health coverage program for individuals and families. Medi-Cal has different programs for different populations. Since the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, many California residents qualify for MAGI Medi-Cal, which does not consider an applicant’s assets. However, programs prior to the Affordable Care Act continue to exist and these programs require applicants to have assets below a certain amount or limit. Starting July 1, 2022, the asset limit will significantly increase, allowing more people to qualify for these Medi-Cal programs.
Assets include money in the bank, stocks, bonds, cash, real property, and the cash surrender value of a life insurance policy. While some assets are counted (or not exempt), others are not counted (or exempt). For example, the house you own and live in is not counted.
Assets are counted separately from income. Examples of income are wages, Social Security benefits, pensions and annuities. In addition to meeting the asset requirement, applicants also need to meet other eligibility requirements. For instance, the Aged, Blind and Disabled Federal Poverty Level program limits income to $1,564 (monthly) or $18,755 (yearly) and sets an age (65 years or older) or disability requirement.
If you qualify for Medi-Cal before July 1, 2022, your Medi-Cal will continue. The advantage is you can have more assets after July 1 and still qualify at the next redetermination. If you were not eligible for Medi-Cal because your assets were over the limit, you may apply under the higher asset limit.
The programs that still count an applicant’s assets affect older adults and people with disabilities, for example, the Aged, Blind and Disabled and the 250% Working Disabled programs. People who have Medicare may also qualify for Medi-Cal.
You may apply at your county’s Medi-Cal office. In San Francisco, contact the San Francisco Human Services Agency, phone (415) 558-4700.
Elaine Wong Eakin is a benefits counselor, health educator and licensed agent. For 16+ years, she has been helping people with Medicare. She teaches a course, Overview of Health Care Insurance Options, at UC Berkeley Extension. She can be reached at EWEakin@gmail.com and (510) 485-9869.
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Monkeypox Vaccination Shortage |
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Press release from the San Francisco Department of Public Health
You may have learned that San Francisco is running extremely low on doses of the monkeypox vaccine (Jynneos) with some sites administering vaccines running out yesterday and others by the end of this week. SFDPH has urgently requested additional doses of Jynneos from federal supplies and is waiting to hear how much the next allocation will be and when it will arrive in San Francisco.
SFDPH will continue to keep the public updated on vaccine supplies, and other resources such as testing and treatment, that are essential to curbing the spread of this disease and protecting people.
For more information on monkeypox in SF, including case counts, vaccine locations, and health guidance go to: sf.gov/monkeypox.
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A Great Day at Guo Pei!
Members attended the Guo Pei exhibition at the Legion of Honor in July. Docents lead NEXT Village members, volunteers, and staff through the exhibit, sharing fascinating information about Guo Pei, a Chinese Couture fashion icon. To learn more about the exhibit and book a visit to see it yourself, click here.
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