September 2014 ● Inside this Issue:

Partners that Care — Page 2 Where to Find Help for Domestic Abuse — Page 3 September Events at Community Center — Page 4 Gift Annuity Rates — Page 8

780 S. Park Centre Ave., Green Valley AZ 85614 www.posadalife.org ● 520-625-2273

Can We Make Your DREAM Come True? Apply Now! The DREAMS Come True program is now welcoming applications. Someone age 55 or older, from the Green Valley area (including Sahuarita, Amado, Arivaca and Tubac), will have a DREAM fulfilled. How? The Posada Life Foundation and Casa Community Services, with guidance from a committee of community volunteers, will choose from among nominees who seek an experience that they cannot fulfill on their own. Tell us your story and explain how your DREAM will enrich your life.

We can bring family members together, make traveling back to a special place possible, or help you reach a lifelong goal. Or, nominate someone special to you whose dream has been delayed or has been impossible due to financial circumstances. The rules are simple and are explained fully on our web site, PosadaLife.org, under Community Services or call Ellen March at 520-393-6840.

Craig Turner patiently helped children pick out tunes on the piano during the recent Casa Country Fair. The intergenerational event included games, carnival food fare, displays of homemade creations, a watermelon eating contest and a water-balloon throw. See more pictures inside this issue.

Casa Coffee House Continues at Posada Java Do you enjoy live music? The Casa Coffee House is where you will find it. It takes place at Posada Java on the second Wednesday of each month (the next is Sept. 10) from 5 to 7 p.m.

The open mic format allows musicians to simply show up and put their name on the list to play a few songs, or get in the queue in advance by emailing Bill McCreery at bmccreery@casagv.org. The Casa Coffee House is a place to play, listen and meet others with a love for live music.

The music ranges from country to traditional, classic rock to blues — it all depends on who’s performing.

The Casa Community Center was the original venue for this musical tradition, but holding the Coffee House sessions at Posada Java allows more types of coffee drinks, more baked treats and even soft-serve ice cream.

There is no cover charge, and plenty of available seating. Join us, won’t you?

Casa’s ability to provide programs and services to the Green Valley community is strengthened by support

from businesses, organizations, foundations and churches.

$5,000 and More

Country Fair White Elephant

Desert Hills Lutheran Church

dex media

First Things First

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold

Green Valley News & Sun

KGVY Radio

Pima Council on Aging

United Way

$1,000 to $4,999

$500 to $999

Bank of the West CareMore Health Plan of AZ Caterpillar Foundation Community Foundation of Greater

Green Valley FICO La Canoa Lions Club Long Realty Cares Foundation Masonic Charities of Arizona Patio Sales Group of Green Valley

Community Church St. Francis-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church The Gordon Foundation Valley Presbyterian Church

Bill’s Home Service CBIZ MHM, LLC Continental Self Storage Desert Diamond Casinos Edward Jones – Skip Breither Golf Cars of Arizona

Good Shepherd United Church of Christ —Women’s Fellowship

Green Valley Lions Club Hickey Automotive Ranchers’ Mercantile of Amado US Foods

Behavioral Health Services

3

Volunteering

The women’s restrooms at the Casa Community Center have a new feature: Permanent stickers that include a message about domestic abuse and list the national hotline number, 1-800-SAFE (7233). The stickers are showing up in public restrooms around Green Valley thanks to a volunteer effort that began with a nonpartisan local group called Changeishappening. Why the emphasis on restrooms? Because it’s space that is private and safe.

Domestic abuse knows no social, racial, ethnic or economic boundaries. Although men can be abused, the greatest risk factor to becoming a victim of domestic violence is being female. Abuse takes many forms. Many older women are reluctant to

seek help because they think they’ll be told to go into a shelter. Shelter is only one option. Fortunately, support is available via a phone call to a hotline counselor who can listen and help the caller create a safety plan or identify appropriate resources.

Changeishappening volunteers are seeking help to post the small stickers in restrooms that they may have missed. Restaurants, churches, hair salons, etc., are some ideas. They also are available to make presentations to groups on the topic of domestic abuse. If interested, please contact Elizabeth “Libby” Beyrer at ElizabethBeyrer@cox.net and write “DV help” in the subject line. Casa’s Behavioral Health Services staff is here to help. Please call 520-393-6839 to inquire about available services.

Help is Available for Domestic Abuse Issues

In all Casa programs, volunteers make a difference. But who are these folks? There’s no “one type” of volunteer. They come to us with a variety of backgrounds and expertise. At the Casa Community Center, for example, volunteers have listed some of the following work experience on their applications:

Certified financial planner RN for a fire department Teacher Military career State employee Hospital marketer

“Volunteering provides the opportunity to make a positive impact on the community and has personal benefits for the volunteer,” comments Volunteer Manager Barbara Salazar. “The volunteers who apply to help across the programs at Casa come from

many walks of life and most have already discovered the ‘secret’ that volunteering can expand their social network, lead to increased personal satisfaction, better health and less stress.”

These are just some of the volunteer experiences that Community Center volunteers list:

Soup kitchen volunteer Women’s shelter volunteer School volunteer Animal shelter volunteer Church volunteer Charity thrift store volunteer Library volunteer

“There are as many varied volunteer openings as there are varied volunteers,” Salazar said. “We work hard to find satisfying opportunities that are the right fit for you.” Contact her at 520-648-7999.

Volunteers Bring Vast Experiences to Casa

Casa Community Center

4

Health & Wellness Alcoholics Anonymous—Mon. & Sat., 7:00 p.m.

Blood Pressure Checks—Mon. & Thurs., 10:30 a.m. Elder Circle—Monday, Sept. 22, 3:30 p.m. GV Meditation Group—Sundays, 10:30 a.m.

Seated Exercise Class—Mondays, 11:00 a.m. Nutrition with Dee—3rd Wednesday, 11:00 a.m.

Tension Release Exercise—Sept. 6, 9:30 a.m. (Call Diann for details—834-7698)

Hand & Neck Massages—Tues., Sept. 9, 10:30 a.m. Weight Watchers—Wednesdays, 8:00 a.m.

SEPTEMBER EVENTS

Wed., Sept.3—10:30 a.m.—Sherry Walker and 43 Miles North perform

Tues., Sept. 9—9:30 a.m.—Day Trip to the Boneyard Tour at the Pima Air Museum

Thurs., Sept. 11—11:00 a.m.—Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church Line Dancers

Tues., Sept. 16—11:00 a.m.— “Rusty Rails” returns with a presentation on Milton Hershey

Wed., Sept. 17—9:00 a.m.—Day Trip to Arizona Diamondbacks game in Phoenix

Thurs., Sept. 25—11:00 a.m.—Out to Lunch at the Agave Restaurant at Desert Diamond Casino

In addition to regular cards, games, Rummy Q, and Mexican Train, we play bridge on Mondays

and Pinochle on Tuesdays. Call for more information: 393-6814

DO YOU KNOW?

The Casa Community Center is the site of a five-day-a-week lunch program sponsored by Pima Council on Aging?

Someone who could benefit from a lunchprogram that also provides an opportunity to make new friends? Let’s face it—eating alone, at home, is no fun.

That there are many activities taking placeduring our program hours? On a regular day, people play cards, Mexican Train Dominos, listen to music or an educational presentation, do chair exercise, play Brain Games, Bingo or just enjoy visiting with their friends..

That a transportation subsidy is available to getsomeone to our program? Sun Shuttle provides door-to-door service with the cost underwritten by PCOA.

That the menu choices provide one-third of theRecommended Dietary Allowance as designed by a registered dietitian? The menu is available well in advance and guests make their reservations dependent upon their own tastes. In addition, a bountiful Salad Bar option is available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

That this program is open to all individuals age60 or older and their spouse regardless of age?

That Kip or Diana will help fill out the easyregistration forms? Call 520-393-6814 to get started NOW!

Here for You! The Casa Community Center Staff, left to right: Community Center Director Ellen March and Lunch Program Coordinators Diana Salvatore and Kip Young. Speakers, entertainers, day trips and Out to Lunch events are planned by Casa Community Center staff for the benefit of Senior Lunch members. The Center is a busy place! Just take a look at the list below for September.

Casa Community Center

5

A Casa Country Fair… for All Ages! A carnival atmosphere took over the Casa Community Center on a warm July day, bringing together children from Los Niños del Valle, Casa’s Adult Day Services, and Casa Community Center Lunch participants. It truly was a day of “food, fun and friends.” Pictured: young volunteers including those from Walden Grove High School, prize entries from the “show barn” and a sampling of the day being enjoyed by all.

Story Keeping at Casa Resumes School is back in session and Casa’s partnership with the Sahuarita High School Digital Arts Department is scheduling video bio-interviews with local seniors. Preserve your memories for future generations—at no cost to your family. You will be provided with DVDs of your interview as well as a dedicated web site where they can view your stories privately. Contact Ellen March to schedule by calling 393-6840 or e-mailing emarch@casagv.org

Elder Circles at Casa Community Center

Come join us for the Wisdom Journey and participate in our Elder Circle. Open to anyone who desires to join in the adventure of conscious aging and to find joy in continuously learning and giving to their community.

This structured dialogue group, led by skilled facilitators, will meet monthly at the Casa Community Center to discuss topics and issues of importance to Elders and their families. Casa’s first Elder Circle will meet on Monday, Sept. 22, at 3:30 p.m. Please call 393-6840 to reserve your place in our Circle.

Adult Day Services

6

Where We’ve Been… Where We’re Going! Finally, the weather is cooling a wee bit. High temperatures have not stopped Adult Day Services members and staff from being very active in the community. In the summer months, we’ve been to a local casino, the movies, the International Wildlife Museum and several fine local eateries!

We are planning more of the same, including the Planetarium, the Arizona State Museum and Tumacácori, in addition to more movie outings. If you call ahead, we will reserve seats for you. Or, you might attend one of our regularly scheduled Lunch & Learn events.

Call Jeannie Maldonado at 520-393-6835 for information.

Join Us for TEA with a TWIST Our Lunch & Learn event for September will be TEA with a TWIST. Join us on Wednesday, Sept. 10, from 2 - 4 p.m. We will serve tea and light snacks while listening to and dancing to the music of Mark Willis.

This is a chance for caregivers and their loved ones from the local Green Valley and Sahuarita community to meet staff and have a first-hand experience of our program. Especially if you came to our “Caregiver Date Night” last year, consider joining us again on Sept. 10 TEA with a TWIST. It’s a free event. We’d love to see you here!

Call Jeannie Maldonado at 520-393-6835 to let us know you are coming!

Food is a big part of the fun we have at Adult Day Services. Above, Velma Stanzel and Fernando Gomez wait for pizza at a local restaurant and Rose Salerno holds the prize-winning berry pie she baked for the Casa Country Fair. Below, Ria Manse gave traditional Hawaiian dance lessons at our annual luau. From the smiles you can tell that Ken Todd, Erv Darbek, Carla Casteñada, Velma Stanzel and Richard Mayer had a great time!

Los Niños del Valle

7

Sturdy, long-lasting, American-made children’s furniture, bright teaching materials, a well-designed kitchen and social area with reading, writing, science, mathematics and art centers help make our new Pre-K classroom one to be enjoyed by children, teachers and volunteers alike. It wouldn’t have been possible without the generous, support of an anonymous donor, the hard work of La Posada’s maintenance department, and the teamwork of Los Niños staff — but together we did it!

These age-appropriate materials and furnishings, our a well-educated staff and eager children ready to explore and learn will come together to offer children in our community another important step toward their education and development. The goal of the Pre-K curriculum is to focus on the necessary skills needed for children to be successful in kindergarten and beyond. Thank you to our friends at La Posada for making this dream a reality!

Look at the New Galaxy Room!

Throughout the year, the staff at Los Niños attends trainings, conferences and meetings to learn about current early childhood development research, collaborate with other professionals in the field, and evaluate our procedures and teaching practices. During in-service this year, we devoted time to methods of creating a positive learning environment for children and staff.

Each lead teacher and the assigned assistants worked on a classroom partnership agreement. This exercise is designed to create a mutually respectful working relationship serving as a model for

children in how relationships work and how to effectively and respectfully resolve conflicts. The staff will continue to meet monthly to review this agreement and develop long-term and short-term goals. The early results are leaning toward a positive consensus.

We encourage area residents to visit, share their vocation and/or interest, or volunteer especially in the morning hours when the children are actively engaged in activities they can share. (We have several boys and girls who would love to learn about woodworking and pottery.)

Los Niños Teachers Take Time Out to Learn New Skills

780 S. Park Centre Ave. Green Valley AZ 85614

Adult Day Services ● Counseling ● Casa Community Center Los Niños del Valle Preschool and Child Care ● Volunteer Opportunities

Foundation News By Mark N. Dugan, Vice President, Posada Life Foundation 520-648-7910

ONE-LIFE

Age Annuity Rate

Total Annual Income

Tax-Free Portion

Allowable Charitable Deduction

Effective Annuity

Rate

Tax Savings in 28%

Tax Bracket

75 6.2% $ 620 $471 $4,113 9.08% $1,152

80 7.1 710 555 4,733 10.67 1,325

85 8.2 820 668 5,388 12.72 1,509

90+ 9.6 960 798 6,013 15.27 1,684

TWO-LIFE

75-75 5.4% $ 540 $407 $3,285 7.69% $ 920

80-80 6.2 620 483 3,820 9.05 1,070

85-85 7.2 720 580 4,431 10.80 1,241

90-90 8.8 880 722 4,873 13.44 1,365

Charitable gift annuities are a popular way to support Casa Community Services. As the chart illustrates, donors can: receive income for life; gain a current-year charitable tax deduction; support Casa’s programs; and avoid the angst over low money market and CD rates. Call the Foundation office for annuity rates or more information.

$10,000 Charitable Gift Annuity at Sample Ages (2014)