LGBT Center 50 and Better e-Newsletter

February 2011

Community Food Distribution Tuesday, February 1 at 9 am The San Diego Food Bank is giving away FREE food the first Tuesday of every month to individuals, families & seniors in this area. Fresh fruits, vegetables and other food items are distributed and available to anyone. Please bring bags for your items. There is no parking available as the parking lot is used for the distribution, so come early to find parking on the street. The line begins to form around 8 am. ____________________________________________ Red Cross Workshop for Seniors Tuesday, February 1 at 8 am Join Family Matters as we help our seniors in the community with a new 30 minute presentation on disaster preparedness presented by the American Red Cross. Coffee and treats will be served. The first 100 seniors will receive a backpack with an emergency kit and portable hand crank radio. Seniors who are in the Food Distribution Line will be given a number to reserve their place in line. For more information, contact Abby Schwartz at (619) 692-2077, ext. 212 or email seniors@thecentersd.org. ____________________________________________ Valentine's Day Dine Out Lunch at Gulf Coast Grill Monday, February 14 at 12pm Interested in meeting Cupid for lunch this year? Join 50 & Better Together for a special Valentine's Day Dine Out Lunch at Gulf Coast Grill (4130 Park Blvd., Hillcrest) on Monday, February 14 at noon. Couples and singles are welcome! Enjoy great food, mix with friends, and maybe even make a love connection! To attend, please RSVP to: Al Kalian: (619) 296-0833 or Judy Hyde: (858) 453-2074. For more information, contact Abby Schwartz at (619) 692-2077, ext. 212 or email seniors@thecentersd.org. _____________________________________________ Lunch & Learn: Protect Yourself & Your Wallet Wednesday, February 16 at 11:30am Fifty and Better is thrilled to host another informative Lunch & Learn program, "Protect Yourself & Your Wallet" on Wednesday, February 16 at 11:30am. Anabell Kuykendall from Aging & Independent Services will identify warning signs regarding scams, lotteries, charitable donations, contractors, legal documents, real estate, identity theft and personal finances. Attendees will also receive a copy of the booklet "Are You a Sitting Duck?" which covers basic principles for senior self-defense. A light lunch will be served for those that RSVP. To RSVP for Lunch & Learn, please contact Senior Services Coordinator Abby Schwartz at (619) 692-2077, ext. 212, or seniors@thecentersd.org.  _____________________________________________  Free Senior Financial Drop-In Wednesday, February 16, 1-3pm Following the Lunch & Learn presentation, associates from Modern Wealth Group will host a free Senior Financial Drop-In from 1-3pm in the Olin-Grinchuck Senior Space. If you have questions about budgeting, life planning, or other financial concerns, Modern Wealth Group will be happy to answer them for you free of charge. To RSVP for the financial drop-in with MWG, please contact Senior Services Coordinator Abby Schwartz at (619) 692-2077, ext. 212, or seniors@thecentersd.org. ___________________________________________  Red Hot Love: A Women's Nightclub Saturday, February 26, 6-9pm Valentine's Day need not only be one day in February! On Saturday, Feb. 26, 6-9 pm at The San Diego LGBT Community Center (3909 Centre St.), the Women's Resource Center (WRC) and the Amazon Breast Project present Red Hot Love, a women's nightclub made especially for valentines – or those looking for one! DJ Laura Jane will be in the house, spinning all your favorite hits. Enjoy dancing, door prizes, snacks, a fabulous raffle, and a no-host bar for only $5 per person! Tickets are available at the door. A no-host bar will be available, complete with Cupid-inspired drink specials. Women 21 and up are welcome. For more information, contact Abby Schwartz at (619) 692-2077, ext. 212, or email women@thecentersd.org.   _____________________________________________  Saturday, March 26, 7am - 2pm, Community Yard Sale You came out of the closet… now unclutter it! Time to clean out ALL of your closets, kitchen cabinets, garage and attic, and donate the reusable items to the San Diego LGBT Community Center. Turn your old treasures into $$$$$ for Family Matters at The Center. Please bring only items that are in good working condition: clothing, small household appliances, toys, games, bikes, bedding, dishes, small household accessories/furnishings, tools and yard equipment. Sorry, but no large appliances or large furniture can be accepted. Donations are being accepted at The Center, now through March 25, 2011. For more information or to schedule drop off, contact Jane at (619) 692- 2077 x 121 or families@thecentersd.org. ___________________________________________  GROUPS Art Group: Drawing and Painting Sabato Fiorello facilitates these free and fun art workshops on Wednesdays from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm in Group Room 2 of The Center, 3909 Centre Street. For information, contact Abby Schwartz at (619) 692-2077, ext. 212, or seniors@thecentersd.org. Gentle Yoga We are pleased to announce that Silver Age Yoga Community Outreach (SAYCO) Gentle Yoga classes continue each Thursday at 2:45 pm in the Community Resource Room of  The Center. Improve your health and overall well-being, regardless of age, physical ability or financial status.  Your donations are greatly appreciated and ensure we continue offering Gentle Yoga classes.  For information, contact Abby Schwartz at (619) 692-2077, ext. 212, or seniors@thecentersd.org. Yoga for Everyone Yoga for Everyone is a new yoga class meeting at The Center on Mondays at 10:00am. The class is open to participants of all levels, as well as newcomers. Personalized attention and plenty of options are featured to make sure you have a great yoga experience. Best of all, the class is free! For information, please contact Abby Schwartz, Senior Services Coordinator, at (619) 692-2077, ext. 212, or seniors@thecentersd.org. Bridge Group Every Monday from noon to 3pm, the 50 & Better Bridge Group meets at The Center. Intermediate to advanced players are encouraged to drop in and join the fun. Sorry, no training for beginners. For information, please contact Abby Schwartz, Senior Services Coordinator, at (619) 692-2077, ext. 212, or seniors@thecentersd.org. Canasta Group Canasta is a card game in the rummy family of games; it's also a lot of fun to play! Join 50 & Better's enthusiastic new canasta group which meets every Tuesday, 1-4pm at The Center. Never played canasta before? No problem! This group is anxious to teach beginners and welcomes players of all levels. For more information, call Mike and Woody at (619) 264-2045 or email seniors@thecentersd.org. Classical Music Appreciation This new Music Appreciation Group is more relaxed -- more like a listening party than a lecture. Entire works of classical music are enjoyed, followed by discussion. The group meets on the third Tuesday of every month, 2-4pm, in The Center's library. No music experience needed to participate! For information, please contact Abby Schwartz, Senior Services Coordinator, at (619) 692-2077, ext. 212, or seniors@thecentersd.org. Prostate Cancer Support Group for Gay Men This is a support group for gay men who are currently dealing with or have previously been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The group meets weekly on Tuesdays at 6:30pm in the Olin-Grinchuck Senior Space at The Center. This program is co-sponsored by the American Cancer Society and The Center. Please RSVP before you attend for the first time by contacting Al Kalian at (619) 296-0833.   FOG (Fellowship of Older Gays) FOG is a social organization for older gay men in San Diego.  Members meet for a coffee social every Tuesday and Saturday morning at 10 am at Lily's Coffee House, 3501 Adams Ave at 35th St. (entrance is on 35th St.).  Discussion group meets every Tuesday from 6:30 pm to 8 pm at The Center, 3909 Centre Street. FOG Movie Night is the first Friday of the month at 7 pm in the Community Resource Room of The Center. LGBT Creative Writers Group Do you love to write but need a little inspiration to get going? Do you love to talk to others about your desire to be the next Hemmingway? Then join 50 & Better Together's LGBT Creative Writers Group every fourth Tuesday of the month at 11:30am for another stop on our journey to become better writers. Bring a pen, paper and an open mind! No previous writing experience necessary. For information, please contact Abby Schwartz, Senior Services Coordinator, at (619) 692-2077, ext. 212, or seniors@thecentersd.org. _____________________________________________ OUT In the Community The San Diego Chapter of the Prime Timers International meets every Saturday at 10:00 am (except Pride Weekend) at BabyCakes Coffee/Wine/Liquor Bar at (3766 Fifth Ave.) for coffee and conversation. For additional details, call Sam Warren at (619) 674-3066.     Contact Us For information on all events and activities in the 50 and Better Club Enewsletter please contact Abby Schwartz at (619) 692-2077, ext. 212, or seniors@thecentersd.org. Olin-Grinchuk Senior Space Here you can look at the senior resources binder where you can find contact information for every type of helpful organization,  from housing to legal to employment resources. Also, plan a small meeting or workshop and take advantage of the private space. For more information or to reserve the space, contact the Front Desk at (619) 692-2077. Drop-in hours: Mon.-Fri. 9 am to 9:30 pm Sat. 9 am to 6:30 pm For more information, contact Abby Schwartz at (619) 692-2077, ext. 212, or seniors@thecentersd.org. 24-Hour Infoline This 24-hour information line provides recorded information regarding events, group meetings and other Center-planned senior activities. Call (619) 692-2077, ext. 801. Resources Cyber Center The Cyber Center is open daily from 9:30 am to 9:30 pm. Toni Atkins Lesbian Health Fund The Toni Atkins Lesbian Health Fund was established by The Imperial Court de San Diego and The Center to assist low-income and uninsured lesbian and bisexual women in accessing necessary healthcare resources. Pick up an application at The Center (WRC), The Lesbian Health Clinic or get it online in English or Spanish here. The S.E.E. Club Mentor (Seniors Educated and Empowered) Confused about Medicare? Having trouble understanding your Health Plan? Volunteer Glen Flint will share his health plan knowledge while educating and empowering participants with respect to their Medicare and health plans. He can also help with or refer you for assistance in filling out confusing and lengthy Medicare claim forms and other paperwork, as well as share information on how the various health plans work. Feel free to email Glen for one-on-one help at gflint1@san.rr.com. ElderHelp's Concierge Club ElderHelp's Concierge Club provides seniors with essential quality of life services such as transportation, grocery shopping, physical activity, friendly visits, light housekeeping and health education. Please call us at (619) 284-9281, ext. 19, for more information about these trustworthy, screened, caring services. Join 50 & Better Together on Facebook More and more people are joining Facebook so now we are using it as a way to spread the word about 50 & Better events. Join today! 50 & Better Together on Facebook Want to Volunteer? As our program grows, we will need your help to keep it strong! Can you plan events, teach a hands-on workshop, lead a movement class, give a lecture, facilitate a support or discussion group? Even if you just want to help set up chairs, we need and appreciate your help. To learn more, contact volunteer coordinator Jessica Culpepper at (619) 692-2077, ext. 210, or volunteer@thecentersd.org.

The Center is committed to a policy of non-discrimination in employment and in the provision of all services. The Center provides services without regard to race, ethnicity, color, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, genetic characteristics, political belief or activity, status as a veteran, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state and local laws. Visit The Center's website at www.thecentersd.org