April 2007 Vol. 26. No. 4

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.

Getting hands dirty: Stan Schmidt takesk kup where Verne Thornton left off
Ask HICAP: Be careful in choosing private Medicare plans
Join hands: Elders and youth work together
Special events and new activities at HSRC
Humboldt Classics: April is senior softball signup month
Make financial plans with your family

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Special events and new activities at HSRC
by Kim Laney

Good Time Line Dance Friday, April 6, 6-9 p.m. This popular group will kick up their heels and dance the night away. Refreshments served, and donations welcome.

Advance sign-up and fasting is required for the St. Joseph Blood Draw Wednesday, April 25, from 8-11 a.m. Appt. 443-9747, ext. 260.

A beautifully wrapped gift can make your loved one feel special and is the perfect complement to any occasion. Carol Hilman will show you how. Learn creative techniques and ideas for making your Gift Wrapping a piece of art. Monday, April 30 at 10:30 a.m.

Rhyming Poetry. This class meets weekly to read and discuss poetry. People interested in learning to write rhyming poetry are invited to attend as well and can work one-on-one with the instructor, June Hendon. The class meets Thursdays at 1 p.m.

Tax deadline is fast approaching. If you need help preparing your tax return, HSRC offers Tax Assistance Mondays 1-4 p.m., Wednesdays 9 a.m.-noon and Fridays 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m., through April 13.

Community Signing Group. People who are losing their hearing benefit from learning a few simple signs to make communication with friends and family easier. Learn at your own pace. Second Saturday, April 14 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Ongoing Activities

Book Group meets Wednesday, April 11. The group is reading fiction, Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson, and nonfiction Sandspit by Francesca Fryor. Information: Caryn Bender, 444-2732.

Animeals. Bless the Beasts, HSRC and Petco are working together to provide free pet food for low-income seniors. Food distribution will be Thursday, April 19, beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Computer Support. Learn about computer fundamentals, files and folders, how to get a free e-mail account, how to send e-mail or navigate the Internet. Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m., and Thursdays,1 p.m., or other hours by arrangement.

Have you always wanted to learn more about your family tree? June Hendon will show you tips and techniques in this new Genealogy group. Join her Tuesdays at 1 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room.

Cribbage and card games. Participants meet to play cribbage each morning in the Dining Room. If you want to play hearts, contact the Activity Department. Pool Games every day.

Enjoy a night out with the Sign 'n' Dine group. Meet at Gallagher's Thursday, April 12, at 5 p.m.

Language classes are exciting and fun. Beginning French meets Thursdays at 10 a.m., and intermediate French follows at 11 a.m. Intermediate Spanish meets Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m. Swedish is offered on Fridays at 2:15 p.m.

Work with different materials from watercolor, colored pencils, pens, acrylics or pastels to clay and wire. Fine and applied art taught by Lorena Boswell in this Multi-Media Art Class. New participants should bring sketch pad and pencils. No oil paint, please. Meets Fridays at 9:30 a.m.

Health support and information

Diabetes Support Group meets Wednesday, April 25, at 10 a.m. The peer facilitator is Margot Julian. The first hour is a talk with a question-and-answer period, and the last 30 minutes gives everyone a chance to get to know each other, share their stories and offer each other support.

Depression Support Group with Henry Willey will meet every Tuesday at 2 p.m. Join a caring, supportive group of peers for an open, free and voluntary meeting.

Jin Shin Jyutsu is an ancient Japanese art of harmonizing the vital energy in the body. It promotes optimal health and well-being and facilities our own healing. Fran Free will lead this new self-help class Wednesdays at 10 a.m.

Get the support you need at Sober Living - AA Support Group Wednesdays and Sundays at 12 p.m.

Exercise is critical for a long, healthy life. Exercise not only increases longevity, but it also helps us feel better now. STRONG exercise participants enjoy group training and support. These classes are designed for all levels and abilities. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 1 p.m.; Tuesdays at 10:45 a.m. and Thursdays at 1 p.m.

If you've vowed to live a healthier lifestyle, you'll need to choose foods that invigorate and sustain you and fuel your practice. Nutrition and Weight Loss with Linda Patterson, RD, meets to discuss options for improving your lifestyle habits, set reasonable goals and be successful in maintaining a more desired weight. Meetings are on the first and third Mondays at 10:45 a.m.

Commodities Distribution (food for seniors) is Thursday, April 19, 8:30-10 a.m. (earlier, if the bags of food are gone) in the Activity Room.

Practitioners often begin a Yoga class with a specific health goal in mind, such as increasing flexibility or reducing tension. However, it is not unusual for them to soon report additional benefits of yoga they had not anticipated such as improved sleep, reduction in food cravings or an overall sense of well-being. Fridays 11 a.m.

The practice of Falun Dafa consists of five gentle exercises and a meditation that is relaxing and energizing. Fridays 8:30 a.m.

Monitor your Blood Pressure with Audrey for better health and peace of mind, every Tuesday at 10 a.m.

Better Breathers Club will meet at a new time on the second Wednesday of each month, April 11, at 2 p.m. These free informational meetings serve as a support group for patients and their families.