November 2006 Vol. 25. No. 11

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

Alzheimer's Month: Walking the long road together
What are the new private fee-for-service Medicare plans all about?
Senior employment: Experience Works replaces AARP
Light a candle for Alzheimer's
Memory screenings set Nov. 14
Honoring veterans: Take a sentimental journey with us Nov. 11

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Join us and take a "Sentimental Journey" to honor our veterans on Veterans Day, Saturday, Nov. 11, at the River Lodge in Fortuna. The Humboldt State University Jazz Orchestra will play hits from the WWII era in the original arrangements of Miller, Goodman and the Dorsey Brothers.

Hugh Paz, a Eurekan who was a Navy photographer during the war, will show some of his prize photos. Paz was at the Bikini Atoll test of the atomic bomb where he photographed the damage the bombs did to target ships.

The doors open at 1 p.m., the program starts at 2 p.m., and the dance music starts at 3 p.m. This year's emcee will be Fortuna Police Chief Chris Kitna, who served in the Navy during Vietnam. Betty Diehl, Ferndale Community Choir director will lead sing-along music immediately following the show of Paz's photos.

Tickets to the event are available at Horizon Business Center, Center Pharmacy, Green's Pharmacy, and Linda's Hallmark in Fortuna. The cost for nonmembers is $10. Members can pick up their tickets for $5 from Jack East's office, 3106 School St. There is a $5 discount per ticket for people who join Fortuna Seniors when they buy their ticket.

Fortuna Senior Services sponsors a variety of exercise classes, health lectures and events, card groups, craft groups and mini-trips to enrich, empower and involve seniors in the Fortuna area. This is the group's most important fundraiser of the year.

Raffle tickets are being sold by many members. Some prizes are a stay at the Benbow Inn, $50 in gas from Renner Petroleum, $200 in cash from Bear River Casino, an HP laser printer from Horizon Business Systems and a Thanksgiving basket.

The group raises funds to provide opportunities for seniors who live on fixed incomes with the opportunity to improve their health, stay vital and know that they are needed.

The group began three years ago with a monthly meeting. Slowly other activities were added. Last year the group hired Mary Ann Bansen as executive director.

Since then the number of activities has grown rapidly and classes are held at the Methodist and Presbyterian churches, mini-trips start from Rohner Park, health lectures are given at the Senior Dining Center and monthly meetings are held at Fortuna Adult Day Care Center. The group is looking for a grant for a feasibility study for a senior activity center for Fortuna. Then all activities and the office could be held under one roof.

Jack East, first president of the group and current treasurer, said, "I'm more optimistic now than ever that in one to three years we will have a senior center."

One new project is a venture with Humboldt Literacy Project to encourage seniors to be tutors for people who need help learning to read English. Tutors receive two days of training. The first training was held in October. The second will be Saturday, Nov. 4. Adults who are interested in becoming tutors should call Humboldt Literacy Project, 725-0655.

The committee for Sentimental Journey includes Bansen; Faye and Chuck Riley, raffle; Jack East, volunteers and tickets; Bernice Larson Reynolds, refreshments; Betty Storz, president; Kay Connors, membership chairwoman; Ellie and Tom Mulholland, decorations; and Bob Fuel and Meryl King, publicity.