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The leading information resource for Marin's Active Aging Movement
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Continued on page 7
March 20 marks the start of Spring and, as Emily Dickinson
put it, “A little madness in the Spring is wholesome even for the king.” Perhaps we are not ready for madness, but getting out of the house and exploring seems in order as the days get longer and warmer. Marin County, one of the most desirable places in the country, is an ideal place to plan Spring outings. Whistlestop and Claudia Carroll, who has offered writing classes here, are teaming up to provide a series of interesting trips this year. Claudia says that, “Day tripping is a fun way to meet new friends, enjoy a stimulating day out and to ex-perience a varied cultural arts menu: theater, movies, nature trips, music, eating out, shuttle, bus, ferry and train rides. “In fact, day tripping will start right here at Whistlestop. I’m envisioning fun ways for us, as older adults, to get out of the house, travel a bit, and meet new friends. And don’t forget your appetite! Most trips will be in or around loca-
tions with reasonably priced gourmet food choices. Those who have taken Clau-dia’s Remembrance Writing 101 workshops at Whistlestop know she loves to travel and enjoy all of the cultural arts. So she is in discussions with Whistlestop Activity and Re-source Center Manager, Debbie
Benedetti, about possible day trips that will be learning ex-periences as well. Claudia will look for the best group rates and also will be choosing places that are accommodating to people with disabilities. Following are a few ideas that are on the drawing board:Muir Woods Bus Trip: Nature Tripping in John Muir Country.Larkspur Ferry to Embar-cadero and Book Passages: Of Books and Sailing Ships.Napa Wine Train: Maybe a lunch-time excursion and, with any luck and group rates, a Who-Dunnit play.Stagebridge: Popular Oak-land-based theater troupe of older adults.MJCC, San Rafael arts and culture programs: one-day trip example is the Ventrilo-quist Steve Chaney and his puppet, Cornelius Crowe.The Rafael: Movies and memories. In addition here are some other day trip experiences to consider:
Exciting Day Trips Await the Adventurous in Marinb y J O H N B O W M A N
E PRESSThe Leading Information Resource for Marin's Active Aging MovementMARCH 2011 Whistlestop.org
Whistlestop
WhistlestopPerspective onNorma Huntpage 2
RockyPackardpage 4
The KidneyCorner page 12
Muir Woods trails continue to be a favorite day outing for hikers.
© Photo by Terry Scussel
N E W C O L U M N !
Whistlestop Express March 20112
WhistlestopPERSPECTIVE by JOHN BOWMAN
Table ofCONTENTS
Volunteer Drivers
Rocky's PantryRocky PackardShredding Day
At Whistlestop
Whistlestop Activities Calendar
The Bird's Side of MarinRichard PavekKidney CornerShar CarlyleFinancial NuggetsJeff StofferGrand MomAudrey Mettel FixmerBrain TeasersGary Gruber
34
58/91011
12
13
14
15
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, Jeff StofferSecretary, Michael HingsonKaren Arnold • Eva Brown • Jane LottDebbie Mills • Michael Rice • Bill SaulWhistlestop 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.
Norma M. Hunt of Mill Valley was the quintes-sential active older adult,
and Whistlestop contributed to her vitality in the last years of her life. Norma, 90, passed away in September 2010. Her daugh-ter, Melissa Rinck a Novato dentist, remem-bers her mother as an inspiring, vibrant person who was “sharp right up to the e n d . ” N o r m a was sight im-paired and used a walker, but she didn’t let that slow her down. Norma was a paralegal un-til she was 78, Melissa recalls. “She would hop on a bus and go to work every day in San Francisco.” Melissa added that thanks to Whistlestop and the Whistlestop buses, the last couple of years of Norma’s life were among her hap-piest days ever. After the death of her husband, Jack, Norma be-came lonely and felt isolated in the Mill Valley home where she lived for 48 years. Her daugh-ters visited her on weekends, but weekdays were lonely. “Then, someone from Whis-tlestop set her up with three classes: exercise, a discussion
Norma Hunt was a Model of Active Aging in Marin
group and art class,” said Me-lissa. “The art was at another center, but was set up for her by a man at Whistlestop. He had told her, ‘Norma, you need to get out of your house.’” Norma also took computer classes. “She was ahead of me in that
department,” said Melissa. Norma had a wonder-ful sense of humor and told her daughters once that she had met a good friend in
exercise class and, “When we got tired, we would just sit on the
fl oor and fi nish there.” Despite her impaired sight, she did artwork and completed some paintings with the help of the instructor. “Mother was very adven-
turesome,” said her daughter. “She loved the Whistlestop driv-ers because they not only took her to Whistlestop for classes and lunch,
but to other appointments. She said that while riding the buses she saw much of Marin County that she had never seen before. Whistlestop was her lifeline! You empowered my mom with dignity and independence. I am fi lled with gratitude.” ✦
Whistlestopwas her lifeline!
Norma, with her daughter, Dr. Melissa Rinck
Whistlestop.org 3
Whistlestop Introduces Volunteer Driver Transportation Program
Whistlestop has introduced a unique concept in transportation, the Volunteer Driver Program, in Marin County. The
program, based on a model that has become quite successful in other parts of the country, is geared for older adults who need help getting to doctor appointments, shopping, and other activities. Whistlestop’s new volunteer driver program receives its funding from Marin Transit, which
is the recipient of the Metropolitan Trans-portation Commission’s New Freedom Program funding. Qualifi ed driv-ers will use their own vehicles. Those interested in learning more about the Volunteer Driver Program at Whistlestop can call 415-454-0969. “What is unique about the Volunteer Driver Program is that it
empowers older adults to get out of their homes by connecting with a nearby member of their community—people they already know and have a relationship with,” said Joe O’Hehir, CEO of Whistlestop. “This program enables them to of-fer a reimbursement to their driver to help offset some of the expense incurred by providing them a ride. It’s especially helpful to the person need-ing a ride, making it more comfortable when ask-ing friends and neighbors for rides, knowing that they can offer them something in return.” Geared primarily to providing riders with medical and shopping purposes to start, this program is aimed at adults 60 and over, who are frail and/or disabled, living in Marin County.. Pat Wall, Volunteer Driver Program Coordina-tor, said Whistlestop will coach riders in fi nding drivers if needed. “We also will provide program handbooks for both riders and drivers,” she said, “along with necessary forms, including mileage reimbursement. Whistlestop reimburses the rider and the rider pays the driver.” ✦
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©
Whistlestop Express March 20114
W histlestop Express is pleased
to present this new column by Rocky Packard, chef at Whistlestop’s Jackson Café. Mystic Table, the column written by Mark Lindsay, occu-pied this space since the start-up of The Express. Mark has decided to discontinue the column and focus on other artistic interests. Visit his blog about photography and art: www.marklindsayart.com/index.php/blog
TzatzikiA Greek classic that is wonderful, quick and healthy. Tzatziki is very refreshing and is good for vegetables as a dip. This recipe is very good also as a sauce for seafood and cold grilled chick-en and is an interesting alternative for salad dressing.
Jackson Cafe Tzatziki (Cucumber Dip)Servings: 1 1/3 cup yogurt 1/4 cup sour cream 1 clove minced garlic 1 tbsp. minced fresh mint 1 tbsp. fresh chopped dill 1/2 grated English cucumber, skin on Lemon juice of ½ lemon 1 tbsp. olive oil Salt and pepper to tasteGrate the cucumber and drain off the liquid in a strainer. When thoroughly drained, add remain-ing ingredients and season with salt and paper.
Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 297 Calories; 28g Fat (84.1% calories from fat); 5g Protein; 7g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber;36mg Cholesterol; 69mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Vegetable; 1/2 Non-Fat Milk; 5 1/2 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates. ✦
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Whistlestop.org 5
Successful Shred Day at Whistlestop
Terry Scussel, Whistlestop Board member, said, “We had an excellent turnout for our fi rst Pitney Bowes/Whistlestop Shred Day,
with well over 120 people depositing their con-fi dential material to be shredded.” Scussel said that 14,500 pounds of material was recycled. Scussel added, “I have done a number of these events over the years, but never one as successful as this. Whistlestop hopes to have another event closer to the end of the year ✦
© P
hoto
by T
erry
Scu
ssel
Duane Elgin Offers Telecourse
Marin’s Duane Elgin, a pioneer in the Voluntary Simplicity movement, will be offering an online course, “Beacons of
Hope and Opportunity,” starting March 17. The seven-week course will be online and by phone. It is designed for anyone who feels anxious about the future or who is unclear about how his or her life fi ts with the new world unfolding around us. Elgin says, “This group inquiry will explore this new future, both personally and collectively. We will do this with the aid of deep guides in the form of universal stories about who we are and where we are going.” More information and registration news is available at www.duaneelgin.com. Or, go on the site and sign up for his email newsletter. ✦
No Waiting at The Redwoods! Available Now: Independent Living
www.TheRedwoods.org
Let your loved ones know how much you care by planning now.
A unique conversation with Barbara Karnes on grief and loss.
Brought to you by
in collaboration with
Whistlestop Express March 20116
Whistlestop’s Employees of the Year
Lighten UP A gentleman brought his British lady friend to a football game. At the start the accustomed coin was tossed to see which team kicked off fi rst. After the game he asked his friend how she enjoyed this American form of Rugby. “Well,” she said. “What a fuss they make over such a little thing. All I heard was “Get the quarter back! Get the quarter back!” Geez, it’s only 25 cents.” Read more: www.thirdage.com/humor/discussions/share-a-joke-ii#ixzz1CfuLwc8c.
From left, Fidel Saravia Cortez, Matt Corson and Tony Oliveto
Following are 2010 Whistlestop’s Employees of the Year, chosen by fellow employees:
Fidel Saravia Cortez – Our Driver of the Year. He was hired in September 2007. He is extremely reliable and courteous to our clients and is well respected by his fellow drivers, who chose to honor him this year.
Matt Corson – Our Shop Supervisor and our employee of the year for Transportation Support. Matt owned his own shop before coming to Whistlestop. He brings an entrepreneurial spirit to his department. He has reorganized our garage and improved operating effi ciency. He is customer service focused and has developed excellent relationships with our vendors.
Tony Oliveto – Our Facilities Coordinator. Tony’s coworkers overwhelmingly nominated him as the Agency employee of the year, even though he has been with Whistlestop less than a year. Tony responds quickly to requests and always displays a positive, “can do” attitude. Employees and clients both consider him a valuable addition to our team. ✦
he asked his friend howmerican form of Rugby.
Do You Have a FavoriteDay Trip? Share With Us
In today’s issue of the Whistlestop Ex-press we present a number of suggestions for day trips in and around Marin Coun-
ty (see Page 1). If you have a favorite day trip in or near Marin County that is not included in our recommendations, please share it with us and our readers. Send a 250-word description of your favor-ite day trip, along with email or phone in-formation about the place, to: Editors, Whis-tlestop Express. You may send it by regular mail to Whistlestop, 930 Tamalpais Ave., San Rafael, 94901, or via email to:[email protected]. We will publish readers’ day trip favor-ites in a future Readers Write In column or columns. If you have a photo to go with your recommendation, send that along also. If you submit by email, please send your article as a Word document and if you include a photo, please send it as a jpeg or as a PDF. ✦
Whistlestop.org 7
California Academy of Sciences at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco: The only place on the planet with an aquarium, a planetarium, a natural history museum, and a four-story rainfor-est are all under one roof. It’s a stunning archi-tectural achievement with hundreds of unique exhibits and nearly 40,000 live animals. A special presentation is scheduled for March 1-31: The Academy salutes U.S. Armed Forces. The third Wednesday is free admission. Seniors tickets: $24.95. www.calacademy.orgBolinas Museum: 48 Wharf Road, Bolinas. The Museum refl ects regional interests and the remarkably rich talent pool of artists from coastal Marin. Visiting the Bolinas Museum is free to all, as are many of its cultural events. www.bolinasmuseum.org.
Tiburon Rail-road & Ferry Depot Museum: 1920 Paradise Drive, Tiburon. On the ground fl oor is a railroad & ferry museum featuring a work-ing scale model of the Point Tiburon yard, circa 1900-1910. Upstairs is
the restored stationmaster’s residence, 1913-1940. The Depot is the only surviving dual use terminal west of the Hudson River and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The mu-seum is open April through October for visitors on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays 1- 4pm. www.landmarks-society.org.Art & Garden Center: 841 Tiburon Boulevard, Tiburon. Circa 1870, the cottage is the oldest structure on the Tiburon Peninsula. Purchased in 1944 by William and Helen Newman, the farm-yard was transformed into a terraced garden. Bequeathed to Landmarks 50 years later, the restored cottage which overlooks Richardson Bay, has two galleries for exhibits and receptions. The gardens and paths maintained by master garden-ers are based on the Newman’s design with many of the original plantings surviving. The Center is open April through October for visitors on Sun-days, 1- 4pm. www.landmarks-society.org. ✦
DAY TRIPPING—Continued from page 1
The Tiburon Railroad and Ferry Depot Museum.
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Whistlestop Express March 20118
Keep Learning atWHISTLESTOPLEVEL II COMPUTER CLASSThursdays, March 24 - April 28 • 10 to NoonComputer Room | Instructor: Ed EssickPrerequisite: Level I Computer ClassFee: $60/6 weeksRegister: call 459-6700
BEGINNING COMPUTER/PICTURE CLASS1st & 2nd Fridays • 2 to 4pmComputer Room | Fee: $15 | Instructor: Gene DyerPrerequisite: Basic Computer SkillsRegistration Required: call 459-6700Learn to transfer your digital photos from a camera, CD or fl ash drive onto your computer and how to send and receive them with your friends and family by attaching them to emails. Bring Camera and Cable.
ADVANCED COMPUTER/PICTURE CLASS3rd Friday • 2 to 4pmComputer Room | Fee: $15 | Instructor: Gene DyerPrerequisite: Basic Computer SkillsRegistration required: call 459-6700Learn how to tell a Picture Story on computer monitors and TVs in slide shows, using Word, PDF, Power Point Presentations and movie formats.
GMAIL FOR OLDER ADULTSFriday, April 8 & 15 • 10 to NoonComputer Room | Instructor: Susan WilkinsFee: $56 | Registration required: call 459-6700It’s easy to stay in touch with old friends and family using the Internet. We will be setting up a Google account, which includes the free email program, Gmail. We will explore Google calendar, Google Reader and blogs and search the internet using Advanced Search. We will also explore Social Networking … what is it? Do I need it? We want you to succeed in this course and recommend that you be familiar with the mouse and keyboard before enrolling. Instruction in this class is not textbook-based. This class is in partnership with the College of Marin.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY LUNCHEONThursday, March 17 • Noon to 1:30pmJackson Café | Fee: $6 for older adults, $9 under 60Reservations required: call 456-9062 Please join us for a delicious meal and live entertainment.
FREE BLOOD PRESSURE AND MEDICATION CHECKSTuesdays starting March 22 • 1 to 2:30pmLounge | Facilitators: Dominican University student nursesBring your prescription medications and supplements to fi nd out how to take them, store them, if there are side effects, or interactions. Be sure to bring in all your medications and supplements. Don’t miss this opportunity to prevent health problems!
LIVING WITH VISION LOSS PRESENTATIONTuesday, March 8 • 10 to NoonBoard Room | FreeInformation: call Jeff Carlson, 258-8496 x1If you have vision loss, you may have diffi culty reading mail, keeping track of medications and appointments, telling time, getting to and from places and preparing meals. Attend this program to learn how the Lighthouse of Marin staff can help provide the support and training you may need for living as independently as possible with your vision loss.
RESTORE & IMPROVE YOUR BALANCE TRAINING CLASSTuesdays & Thursdays, March 15 - April 7 • 2 to 3pmJackson Café | Fee: $75/ 8 classesInstructor: Thomas Attardi, BS, MA, MBWRegistration required: call 456-9062In the Balance Class, you will learn how balance works, why your balance may be deteriorating, and how you can safely implement very simple exercises to train your balance. We will learn the best exercises for stronger legs to prevent falls and safeguard our risks of injury. We will also cover what to do if we fall.
WHISTLESIZERSGET INTO THE EXERCISE HABIT!Tuesdays & Thursdays • 9:15amInstructor: Ruth Fleshman | Fee: $2Information: call 456-9062Whistlesizers is a popular class that uses light weights, chair and standing exercises and stretching. “It’s a class for people who make all kinds of excuses to not exercise,” said Ruth Fleshman, who has taught the class for 25 years. “By coming to the class, it gets done and you feel good too.”
FREE CITIZENSHIP CLASSES/CLASES GRATUITAS DE CIUDADANIAMondays/Lunes • 4 to 5:30pmCaboose | Facilitator: Sandra JimenezFree/Gratis
Whistlestop.org 9
TAI CHI QIGONGFOR MAXIMUM HEALTH, ENERGY AND RELAXATIONWednesdays • 9 to 10:15amCaboose | Fee: $10Teacher: Calvin AhlgrenTai Chi Qigong (“tie-chee chee-gong”) is a one-hour set of gentle exercises, done mostly while seated, that works to tone up the body’s energy system. Especially suitable for older adults, it is credited with developing optimal health for regular practitioners. Also known for improving stamina, stability, and balance, Tai Chi Qigong includes increasing energy while promoting relaxation and balance.
WHISTLESTOP KNITTERS2nd, 3rd, 4th Fridays • 11 to 1pmCaboose 2 | Sign up: call 456-9062Come spend a couple of hours to knit, talk, laugh and enjoy each others company while we work on hats, scarves, etc. This is not a class but you’ll enjoy sharing patterns, hints and techniques, and in no time will have made something special.
CARDIO EXERCISE CLASSAN ACCESSIBLE WORKOUT FOR ALLTuesdays • 10:45 to 11:45amCaboose | FreeIf you want a worthwhile workout and don’t mind breaking a sweat, Instructor Michael Gordon, a volunteer of the LightHouse for the Blind for over 10 years, will be teaching a Cardio Exercise Class at Whistlestop. Michael ensures a good 50 minute workout (chair & standing exercises) with warm up and cool down, complete with audio description so participants who are visually impaired or blind can easily join in.
DEUTSCHE GESELLSCHAFTMondays & Tuesdays • 1 to 12:30pmWir haben eine neue Idee in Whistlestop wo wir eine Deutsch sprechende Gruppe Zusammen bringen und wir uns in Deutsch amusieren konnen. Wir freuen uns auf Ihr kennen lernen, bitte rufen Sie fur Auskunft.
Scheduling Rides: 454-0964Cancelling Rides: 457-4630Eligibility Coordinator, Janet Van Rijsbergen 456-9062, ext. [email protected]
Transportation Numbers
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIESWhistlestop is looking for a volunteer/certifi ed yoga • instructor to teach a weekly class to older adults.Volunteer needed to work with older adults in the • Information & Referral Offi ce. Must be able to commit to one day a week for 3 hours.Jackson Café Volunteers needed•
Interested: email [email protected] call 456-9062
REMEMBRANCE WRITING 101 WORKSHOPTHE EASY WAY TO WRITE AND SHARE THE STORIES OF YOUR LIFEWednesdays & Thursdays • 2 to 4pmBoard Room | Fee: $5 | Facilitator: Claudia CarrollRegister: call 456-9062YOU have a story to tell because you have LIVED LIFE! 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 or pencils. The sessions will be on-going, so come every week, or drop in whenever you can.
MARIN HUMAN RACESaturday, May 7 • 7 to 11:30am • Race starts at 8:30amFacilitator: Eva BrownFor information: 999-9053 or [email protected]’s a wonderful feeling to get up on a spring morning and go for a walk or run, while raising money for local nonprofi t organizations, schools, and the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofi t Leadership. You can run, walk or roll your wheelchair around the 5K looping course. Last year Whistlestop raised over $5,000. These funds were used to help Whistlestop provide transportation services to the disabled community, offer discounted meals to older adults, and give services to older adult multicultural communities throughout Marin County. Please help us raise awareness and increase this year’s donations by signing up to walk and having your friends and neighbors sponsor you.
e we ot a
Whistlestop Express March 201110
WhistlestopACTIVITIES This Month at Whistlestop
TIME CLASS LOCATION MISC. COST
10:00–11:00 AM AM Monday Caboose 2 457-0586 for info Free10:30–NOON Persian Group Lounge 472-6020 for info Free11:00–NOON Computer Literacy Computer Lab Open Free11:00–12:30 PM German Group TBD Open Free11:10–NOON Movement & Music Caboose March 25-May 16 Free2:00–4:00 PM ESL Caboose/Café Jan 24th-May 18th Free4:00–5:30 PM Citizenship Caboose 454-0998 for info Free
10:00–2:00 PM Asian Group Caboose 454-1552 for info Free 9:15–10:30 AM Whistlesizers Caboose Open $210:45–11:45 AM Cardio Exercise Caboose Open Free11:00–12:30 German Group TBD Open Free1:00–3:00 PM Spanish Class Caboose Open Free2:00–3:30 PM English Conversation Board Room 454-0998 for info Free
9:15–10:30 AM Whistlesizers Caboose Open $210:00–2:00 PM Asian Group Caboose 454-1552 for info Free10:30–NOON Art from the Heart Lounge Open Free2:00-3:30 PM English Conversation Caboose 454-0998 for info Free 2:00–3:00 PM Vietn.Citizenship Caboose 454-1552 for info Free2:00–4:00 PM Remembrance Writing Board Room Open $5
9:00–10:30 AM Tai Chi Qigong Caboose Suggested Donation $1010:00–11:30 AM Seniors' Circle Board Room Open Free10:00–NOON Computer Lab Computer Lab Open Free10:30–NOON Persian Group Lounge 472-6020 for info Free11:00–NOON Corazón Latino Caboose Open Free2:00–4:00 PM ESL Caboose/Café Jan 24th-May 18th Free2:00–4:00 PM Remembrance Writing Board Room Open $5
11:00–1:00 PM Loom Knitting Caboose 1st Fri. Arts & Crafts Free1:30–3:30 PM ACASA Board Room Peer Counseling Free1:30–3:30 PM Spanish Club Caboose Open Free2:00–4:00 PM Friday Movie Jackson Café Free Snacks/Drinks Free
MO
ND
AYS
TUES
DAY
STH
URS
DAY
SW
EDNE
SDAY
SFR
IDAY
S
The Caboose, Computer Lab, Board Room and Jackson Café are all located at Whistlestop’s Active Aging Center – 930 Tamalpais Ave., San Rafael.
Jackson Café
LUNC
H M
ENU
Monday-Friday 11:30am-1:30pmLocated in Whistlestop Active Aging Center
60+ PRICES/ UNDER 60 PRICESMain Entrée $4.00/$6.75Turkey Sandwich $3.00/$4.00Soup $1.75/$2.00Hamburger $4.25/$5.25Pizza $4.00/$5.00Salads $2.50/$4.00
OTHER ITEMSTuna Salad Side $1.25Fresh Fruit Cup $1.00Desserts $1.50Beverages $1.00
Jackson Café
Whistlestop.org 11
I am always amazed at how skill-
fully birds can execute a landing. Many years ago,
when I learned to fl y, I soon learned why landings are called the test of a pilot. Taking off is easy; just push the throttle for-ward and steer until the plane lifts off. But when landing, you have to decelerate without stall-ing, hold steady in wind gusts, and gently land without slam-ming into the ground or bounc-ing or veering off the runway while bringing the plane slowly, slowly to a stop. All the while
remembering to breathe and not look anxious. Not so with a bird. Look at these two images of a Red-tailed Hawk landing. Accord-ing to the chronometer in my camera, there was less than a quarter of a second between the fi rst and second image. In that small fraction of time, the Hawk decelerated from about 10 miles an hour, reached out and grasped a tiny swaying branch smaller than his encir-cling toes, and came to a dead stop — perfectly balanced on top of the tiny branch! Whew! Like the comic book action heroes who have recently leapt to the multi-screen theatre,
birds seemingly defy gravity and all the other forces of phys-ics, at will. The photo of the long toes is a Heron grasping a thin branch — about like you or I grasping a thin pencil that slides around within our too-large fi ngers. You’ll fi nd a better view of the Hawk in the “Happy Landings” post on my blog, www.RichardBirdBlog.com. Every weekend I email an in-teresting bird photo to Express readers. If you’d like something nice to look at amidst the junk in your inbox, email me at [email protected]. ✦
‘Till next month, Richard
The Bird's SideOF MARIN b y R I C H A R D P A V E K
Happy Landings!
Whistlestop Express March 201112
The KidneyCORNERb y S H A R S . C A R LY L E
Program Director, Kidney Community Education sponsored by Community Action Marin
In a society that worships win-ning, we some-
times forget that success isn’t always defi ned by grab-bing the brass ring. Sometimes it’s just reaching for it. According to a study published in the Clinical Journal of American Soci-ety of Nephrology, nearly half of the patients older than 60 waiting for a kidney transplant from a deceased donor will die. The report concluded, “Older candidates are now at signifi cant risk for not surviving the interval in which a deceased-donor transplant would become available.” My client and friend, Pakvilai Sudhaswin, (“Pak” for short) is an active older adult who
has been on dialy-sis over 18 years. She is the kind of individual who inspires others toward courage. In the process of preparing for trans-plant surgery com-
plications arose and it was discovered Pak would not able to go through with the procedure. She is now being cared for in a convalescent home, with hopes of eventually returning to her home. While visiting her I was awed by her atti-tude. When I asked her if she had any words to
Kidney Transplant OftenOnly Way to Save a Life
Continued to page 15
Pak and Shar
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Whistlestop provides transportation to those needing dialysis every day.
Whistlestop.org 13
When we began this series four months ago, the prices of U.S. Treasury bonds were at 50-year highs. In fact, the in-
terest rates being paid on bonds were lower than those on stocks, a situation that hasn’t occurred since the fi rst half of the 1900s. High prices of-ten bring higher risk. What are the implications of high bond prices and how do we manage this risk? Let’s review. Out of fear, investors have been avoiding stocks and embracing bonds. Herd-like behavior should be a warning sign. This raises the con-cern that too many investors are doing the same thing. We need to remember that simply follow-ing “the herd” increases our risk. It may be time to sell rather than buy. We examined the idea that bonds could become the next asset bubble. Based on the traditional characteristics of a bubble – a market exhibiting rampant speculation and unreasonable valuation – we concluded that this was probably not the case with bonds. While bond prices are indeed high, in-vestors are looking for safety and reliable income, not quick profi ts, as in recent bubbles involving tech stocks and housing. One of the most signifi cant risks that bond investors face is infl ation with its negative impact on the future value of bonds. This has not yet become an issue. However, the steps taken by the Federal Reserve and our government to battle the Great Recession are, or will be, infl ationary. When bonds mature years down the road, infl a-tion reduces the purchasing power of the dollars originally invested in them. Since we started this series, we have already be-gun to see some of the expected impact on the fu-ture of investing in bonds – in the form of volatil-ity. High prices lead to greater volatility, implying increased potential for loss of value. One strategy to minimize this impact is to own fewer long-term bonds, since they are most susceptible to the rav-
FinancialNUGGETS by JEFF STOFFER, CFA, CFP®
Bonds: Too Much of a Good Thing?(Part V)
Continued to page 15
COMMISSION ON AGING MEETINGMarch 10 • 10 to 12:30pm
Location: Margaret Todd Senior Center (Hill Community Room) • 560 Hill Rd, Novato
Topic: Health Committee - Alcohol & Drug
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Whistlestop Express March 201114
GrandMOMby AUDREY METTEL FIXMER
Here in Wisconsin we were in the middle of a blizzard on January 17. My bridge game would have to be called off, since
the hostess lives a couple of miles out in the coun-try. Fortunately, she is married to a very hearty, fearless man who agreed to transport all three of us ladies. We never question the risk of simply riding through the storm when it means saving a bridge game! With a couple of hours to kill before I would be picked up, I decided it would be a good time to write my March column for Whistlestop Express, due the next day. How could I write about a place I've never visited? The phone rang and it was my daughter-in-law, Carson, so I had someone to listen to my dilemma. Without a moment’s hesitation, she said, “Well, I know where I would go —Sau-salito!” She then went into raptures describing Sausalito: “It’s a quaint little fi shing village where you can dine in outdoor cafés and look out over the Bay and even see the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s so charming!” That piqued my interest, so I googled Marin County and was amazed to fi nd so many other things I would love to see and do. I want to see the oldest city, San Rafael, with its restored Franciscan Mission, its 14 parks, and take a tour of the great Frank Lloyd Wright’s beautiful Civic Center. And I’d love to explore the shops and res-taurants in San Anselmo, the “Antique Capitol” of Marin. I’d give anything to buy fresh produce from farmers’ markets all year long. My reverie ended abruptly when I discovered my ride would arrive in fi ve minutes and I was not ready! Time to leave Marin County where this week’s forecast is a high of 60 and low of 40, and face the reality of another week in Wiscon-sin, where this week’s forecast is highs in the 20’s and lows of eight below zero. Where would I like to go in Marin County? Anywhere! ✦ Audrey has been publishing her column in the Mad-ison, WI, Diocesan Catholic Herald for 15 years.
Life in Marin County
Marin County Psychologist Writes Book about Inspiring African-American Women
Dr. Sonnee Weedn, a Marin County psy-chologist, has published a book about 31 remarkable African American women ti-
tled Many Blessings: A Tapestry of Accomplished African American Women. Colonel Yvonne Cagle, M.D., raised in Novato and a NASA trained astronaut, is one of the interviewees. Ten years ago, Dr. Weedn of Novato, was asked to treat a young, urban, African Ameri-can woman. Believing that as a white woman living in the reality of de facto segrega-tion, she was not knowledge-able enough to treat this woman in psychotherapy, she set about to learn more about African American culture. Weedn said this stimulated her thinking about African American women. What was it that allowed them to survive and thrive despite the double prejudice of racism and sexism. She wondered about the historical implications of the confl uence of the Civil Rights Movement and the Women’s Movement on this particular cohort of women, most who had come of age during law-enforced segregation. She traveled the country for three years, inter-viewing many African American women, some famous and others unknown except in their own particular circles of infl uence. She studied the women to determine what encouraged them to transcend discrimination and other obstacles they faced in order to rise up and claim their destinies as powerful and altruistic women. Ultimately, she chose 31 of the women she in-terviewed to represent the seven strengths she identifi ed as having sustained them and allowed them to fl ourish. She believes that these seven strengths are the historical legacy of all Afri-can American women today, and encourages all women, regardless of ethnicity to learn from their example to increase their own resilience and determination. ✦
by JOHN BOWMAN
Whistlestop.org 15
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 en-gine. Because it’s powered by Yahoo!, you get proven search results. The money GoodSearch donates to your cause comes from its advertis-ers — the users and the organizations do not spend a dime!
Easy Ways to Give toWHISTLESTOP (And to Do Something Good for an Older Adult)
BrainTEASERS B y G a r y G r u b e r , P h D
eScrip — eScrip has created a system that rewards customer loyalty by contributing a percentage of purchases made at participating stores to nonprofi ts. Go to eScrip.com, register, and pick Whistlestop as your charity, and then shop at the many participating stores.eScrip Recycling — simply drop off your used laser/toner and inkjet cartridges, used cell phones, digital cameras, iPods, GPS devices and laptops at Whistlestop’s front offi ce and we will recycle them and get a small donation.Car and Vehicle Donation through: Donate your car to Whistlestop 1-888-686-4483. ✦
share today she said to tell everyone to, “think happy thoughts,” and “wear a Buddha smile.” ✦
Shar Carlyle is Program Director with Kidney Community Education, whose mission is to serve the low income and disenfranchised adults with kidney disease. Shar can be reached at [email protected].
KIDNEY CORNER—Continued from page 12
FNIANCIAL NUGGETS—Continued from page 13
QUESTION: Suppose you have a 12-hour digital clock where the number representing the hour is always the same as the number representing the minute. That is, the clock can only show times like 8:08, 9:09, 10:10, etc. What is the smallest time difference between two such times?(A) 101 minutes (B) 61 minutes (C) 60 minutes (D) 49 minutes (E) 11 minutes
ANSWER: (D) The times closest to one another are 12:12 and 1:01. So subtract them. You get 49 minutes. Don’t be lured into just subtracting the times 8:08 from 9:09 or 9:09 from 10:10, etc.
Marin County’s Dr. Gary Gruber is recognized as a leading authority on standardized tests and the origi-nator of the critical thinking skills used to prepare for them. Through his work, more than 35 books with more than 7 million copies sold, he has dramatically increased aptitude, intelligence and standardized test scores on tests like the SAT and ACT. His Brain Teasers have created national interest in problem solving and in developing creativity.
ages of infl ation and rising interest rates. We discussed establishing a target percentage of bonds for your portfolio. Periodically, review and rebalance the levels of each major investment category (e.g., 60% stocks and 40% bonds.) In conclusion, it is possible to have too much of a good thing. Expect volatility when prices reach extreme levels. Bonds of longer maturity could lose the most value in an infl ationary environment. Set target levels for stock, bonds, etc. and rebal-ance regularly. ✦Jeff Stoffer is a Whistlestop Board member.
ANSWER: (E) How can you overtake the person who is last?
QUESTION: You are competing in a linear race and overtake the last runner. In which position are you now?(A) last (B) second to last (C) third to last(D) cannot be determined unless the number of runners is known(E) cannot be determined because this is an ambiguous question
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.
Rafael. Not only
Whistlestop Express March 201116
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