50 and Better Together Monthly Enews

May 2011 Upcoming Events Community Food Distribution Tuesday, April 5, 9 am With a growing number of community members being impacted by the economic crisis, The San Diego Food Bank has asked the San Diego LGBT Community Center to host a distribution site once a month for the Community Cares Project. On the first Tuesday of every month, 9-10:30 am, visit The Center's parking lot for a "one-stop-shop." Receive emergency food, pre-screen for Food Stamps and sign up for a range of other services, including employment and medical as well as low-cost utility programs. For more information, visit the San Diego Food Bank website. 50 & Better Go "Out at the Park" Saturday, May 7, 5:30 pm   All Out at the Park, San Diego LGBT Pride's night at the Padres, will take place Saturday, May 7, with game time at 5:35pm. This year, 50 & Better Together will have a block of seats together for the game. Tickets are $15 and are located in the upper infield. Pride also hosts a tailgating party that costs $5 and includes hot dogs, hamburgers, beer, sodas, etc. from 3:30-5pm at Imperial Ave & 14th St. (rainbow flags will mark the area).   "Understanding the 'B' in LGBT" Thursday, May 12, 7 pm  Join The Center and the Bisexual Forum on Thursday, May 12 at 7 pm for "Understanding the 'B' in LGBT." This interactive workshop will explore the dynamics within the LGBT community that can leave bisexual individuals feeling misunderstood and left out. Audience participation and discussion will be strongly encouraged. Topics will include how to define bisexuality, the Klein Sexual Orientation Grid and its significance, stereotypes surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity in general, myths and misconceptions of bisexuality, and more. This event is free, open to all, and will take place in The Center's library. For more information, to request an accommodation or to RSVP, contact Jane Schmoll at 619.692.2077 x121 or jschmoll@thecentersd.org.  Dine Out for Life with 50 & Better Together Wednesday, May 25 at 5 pm Summer is almost here and we are back to Dine Out Dinners.  This month, we will be meeting at El Comal (3946 Illinois St. SD 92104). Join a friendly group for a good meal and even better conversation! To attend, please RSVP to Al Kalian 619.296.0833 or Judy Hyde 858.453.2074.    Lunch & Learn Wednesday, May 18, 11:30 am Learn about all things financial with financial planner Marci Bair. 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, email 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, email 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 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, email seniors@thecentersd.org. LGBT Caregivers & Grief Support Group First and third Monday of each month, 5:30-6:45 pm Are you taking care of a loved one or dealing with a recent loss? Join the LGBT Caregivers & Grief Support Group taking place on the first and third Monday of each month at 5:30 pm at The Center. Facilitated by professionals from Silverado Hospice, this group focuses on those who are currently taking care of loved ones with terminal illness, as well as those that have recently faced a loss or death. Please contact Bryan McNutt at Silverado with questions, at (888) 328-4558. This group meets in Group Room 2, just off The Center's lobby. 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 Hemingway? Then join 50 & Better Together's LGBT Creative Writers Group every fourth Tuesday of the month at 11:30 am 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, email 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-Grinchuk 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. 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.Donations are greatly appreciated and ensure we continue offering Gentle Yoga classes. For information, email seniors@thecentersd.org.   OUT In the Community The San Diego Chapter of the Prime Timers International meets every Saturday at 10 am (except Pride Weekend) at Filters for coffee and conversation. For additional details, call Sam Warren at 619.674.3066. 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, email seniors@thecentersd.org. 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. Discussion group meets every Tuesday from 6:30 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. Contact Us For information on all events and activities in the 50 and Better Club Enewsletter email 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 x801. Resources Cyber Center The Cyber Center is open daily from 9:30 am to 9:30 pm. 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, email seniors@thecentersd.org. 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. 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. Visit us on Facebook today! 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 x 210 or volunteer@thecentersd.org. 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. Save the Date! Saturday, May 7 – Women's Fest Friday, May 20 – Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast Sunday, Sept. 25 – AIDS Walk San Diego   Saturday, Oct. 22 – The Center Anniversary Gala Saturday, Oct. 29 – Nightmare on Normal Street Support Senior Services at the Center No matter what strikes your passion and heart most deeply -- seniors, families, housing, equality work -- there are a menu of giving opportunities to help support the 46,000 service visits for LGBT San Diegans that we provide every year! Every dollar you can give helps to support the services, projects and programs that make a difference for so many in the LGBT San Diego community. You don't have to give thousands to make a difference in lives, give what you can and together we can all keep making a difference! Thank you so much for your generosity and for all you do! 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 beliefs 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.