Whistlestop Express November 2010

Thousands of Marin County residents benefi t from the many generous

contributions to Whistlestop, helping us to help older adults have richer, more active and meaningful lives. In this issue of the Whistlestop Express, we honor those who contribute. Your gifts enabled 105,859 people to use our paratransit service in the past year; 4,106 older adults to participate in our Active Aging Center events and classes; 9,493 to eat at the

Jackson Café; and 10,338 to participate in Multi cultural programs. Marin’s over-65 age group will soar from the 35,400 (14%) of the total population in 2005 to 91,200 (32%) by 2030. As this population grows, the need for our various services becomes even more important. Whistlestop delivers myriad services thanks to our donors, a dedicated professional staff and a legion of loyal volunteers.

Joe O’Hehir, CEO of Whistlestop, and the entire staff express gratitude to everyone who helps make this possible. ✦

Your Contributions Stretch FarTo Help Us Help Older Adults

Special Annual Report Edition

b y J O H N B O W M A N

E PRESSThe Leading Information Resource for Marin's Active Aging MovementNOVEMBER 2010 thewhistlestop.org

Whistlestop

Recipe for twoThe Mystic Table.page 4

Join Us for a Feast!page 8

Discover the Bird's sideof Marin.page 11

Computer ClassActive Aging Center

Whistlestop Volunteer

Tai Chi Class

2 The Whistle Stop Express November 2010

We take this time of year to reflect on Whis-tlestop’s performance

during the past 12 months, and to thank and acknowledge the more than 800 donors and volunteers who continue to dem-onstrate their generosity and support for our mission. This edition of the Whistlestop Express reflects who we are, what we do, and how we deliver value to Marin’s older adults and people with disabilities, thanks to your continued gener-osity and support. Like many of our fellow nonprofits, we have survived a challenging financial year, primarily due to the long eco-nomic recession. However, we have been heartened to have 125 new first-time donors added during the past year to our family of supporters. We were able to hold our funding level at approximately the same amount as the prior year during a time when several nonprofits have seen their funding decrease by 20-30%. Whistlestop programs and services achieved several suc-cessful milestones during the year. We were awarded the three-year Marin Transit Paratransit and Mobility Man-agement Center development contract. This long-term part-nership will allow us to continue to provide high quality para-transit services to the communi-ty, and to begin the development of a one-stop-shop service call center offering transportation

solutions and options for a wide variety of special needs individ-uals. We also completed instal-lation of high technology MDT/AVL equipment, purchased by Marin Transit, on all of our ve-hicles, helping our drivers better locate our clients’ pick-up and drop-off locations. Our Jackson Café once again served over 10,000 low cost nutritious meals. Our Active Aging Center provided over 6,300 participants with several new classes and programs to stimulate the body, mind, and spirit. We also published and distributed the 23rd edition of the Whistlestop Directory of Ser-vices for Older Adults in Marin County. Our theme for this next year continues from this past: “Do Something Good for an Older Adult.” How can you help?

donation;

Planned Gift;

and expertise.

I have mentioned before that one of the best parts of my job is signing donor acknowledge-ment letters of appreciation to the hundreds of individuals, families, and organizations who have shown their generosity and support for Whistlestop. Here’s hoping that my writer’s cramp continues. ✦

Joe O’Hehir is CEO Whistlestop.

WhistlestopPERSPECTIVE b y J O E O ' H E H I R

Table ofCONTENTS

Whistlestop Perspective Joe O'Hehir

Readers Write In

Mystic TableMark Lindsay

Recipe of the Month

At Whistlestop

Whistlestop Activities Calendar

The Bird's Side of Marin Richard Pavek

Financial Nuggets Jeff Stoffer

Photo Contest Winners

2

34

58/91011

12

13/14

A Year in Review:Celebrating Generosity

Marin Senior Coordinating Council, Inc.930 Tamalpais Avenue San Rafael, CA 94901Chief Executive Officer, Joe O’HehirBoard of DirectorsPresident, Dennis ThompsonVice President, Terry ScusselChief Financial Officer, Jeff StofferSecretary, Michael Hingson

The Whistlestop Express

Senior Coordinating Council, Inc. A 501 (c) 3

The Mission of Whistlestop:

information and referral services, and an activity

Whistlestop Contact InformationMain Number 415-456-9062Whistlestop Fax 415-456-2858www.thewhistlestop.orgInformation & Referral [email protected] Whistlestop Express Editorial, Art Direction & SalesJohn & Val Bowman Editors916-751-9189

Missy Reynolds Art [email protected] Black 415-485-6700, Ext. 306The Whistlestop Express is printed on recycled paper

The Whistlestop Express, please call 415-456-9062, ext. 141. Or send an email, with your request, your name and address to [email protected].

www.TheWhistleStop.org 3

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ReadersWRITE INby CLAUDIA CARROLL

Each autumn, Ray Bradbury’s The Skeleton, and the song, Autumn Leaves, come knocking at my memory-door.

This year, due to giving my Remembrance Writing 101 workshops, the skeleton story is back. The tale of the man who discovered he had a skeleton living inside his body, The Skeleton was published in 1943. My thoughts on The Skeleton are not intended to scare. Rather I’m reminded, at age 73, how we often perceive older individuals as their earth-body suits only, or by the number of years they’ve lived. But there is

more than a skel-eton living inside the earth-body suit. There are a mind, soul, heart, brain, and life experi-ence that, if only a few pages per year

were written about, could easily total 500 pages. Becoming older does not necessarily mean enjoying life more, contributing more, earning more, although some do. Outside of tribal society, becoming older does not mean earning the title, place, respect of an “elder.” We often criticize Western civilization’s devotion to “looking good, moving up fast, achieving, col-lecting stuff.” Our attitudes toward older adults are skewed by this thinking. The earth-body suit takes on wear. Labels, like “social security number” and “Medicare number” are attached. Caring communi-ties provide “services” and “activities” for “seniors and the elderly.” But what happens to the person, the individual, who worked his or her way through college, fought in a war, built a family or career or both, contributed to neighborhood, village, nation? Where’s the recognition of that essential beingness, without which we cease to exist meaningfully? This autumn, acknowledge yourself, and maybe another “elder” in your neighborhood not as just someone to provide services for, but as an older adult who has lived history, and is writing living-history, current era.✦

Contact Claudia about her writing workshops: [email protected] or http://claudiacar-roll.biz/remembrance_writing_101

Of Skeletons and Souls

There is more than a skeleton living inside the earth-body suit.


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Leftovers are mostly a letdown. It’s easy to re-heat something, espe-

cially with today’s microwave ovens. But food rarely tastes as good the second day we eat it. Yet, with the high cost of food and with many of us cooking for one or two peo-ple, leftovers are a fact of life. We can trans-form our leftovers into new dishes that taste fresh and exciting. In fact, many familiar recipes from around the world were in-vented, by necessity, to prevent

the wasting and spoiling of left-over food. The key is to think ahead when we plan our food week. Take risotto, for example. Risotto is sublime when eaten

immediately after making it. Yet, eat it as a leftover and it tastes more like glue than rice. The secret is to take the leftover risotto and form balls out of it. Then coat the balls

in egg wash and bread crumbs and fry them in vegetable oil. The result, arancini (little or-anges), is extraordinary. Some-

times I prefer arancini to the original risotto dish. This month we’ll concen-trate on the risotto and next month we’ll make arancini from it. We’ll continue to fol-low this theme in future columns as we explore ways to cook economically for one or two people yet enjoy each and every meal luxuriously.✦

The MysticTABLE b y M A R K L I N D S AY

Leftovers: A Fact of Life

The result, arancini (little oranges), is extraordinary.

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Serves 4 Ingredients 6 cups (or more) meat broth

4 tbsp. butter I tbsp. vegetable oil 1/2 onion chopped fine 1 garlic clove chopped fine 3 small zucchini cut crosswise into ¼-inch slices 1-1/2 lbs. fresh plum tomatoes, peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch dice salt and pepper - to taste 2 cups arborio or carnaroli rice 6 basil leaves cut crosswise into thin strips 1/2 cup freshly grated parmigiano reggiano cheese

Recipe ofTHE MONTHRisotto with Tomatoes & Zucchini

Heat broth in a medium pot over low heat. It should be hot before we start with our second pot, containing rice.

Heat 3 tablespoons of butter and vegetable oil in a large, sturdy pot over medium heat. Add the on-ion and sauté until golden. Add the garlic, stir, and continue to sauté for a minute. Add the zucchini and cook until lightly brown, stirring frequently. Add tomatoes and salt and pepper. Stir occasion-ally until the tomatoes are reduced to the consis-tency of a paste. Turn up heat to high and add the rice. Stir vigorously for about three minutes to coat the rice completely. Add several ladles of hot broth to rice mixture. Stir constantly and vigorously over high heat, be-ing sure that nothing burns on the bottom of the pot. When the rice is completely dry again, add another ladle of broth. With this cooking process, the rice will expand and start to soften. It is done when firm but not chalky. It takes about 25 min-utes in all. If you run out of broth you can add water to your broth pot. When the rice is done, adjust the consistency with some broth or water so that it is all’onda, like a wave. It should wet and you should be able to slosh it from side-to-side in the serving dish. Turn off the heat and add the remaining tablespoon of butter, the cheese, and the basil. Stir vigorously to make it all creamy. Transfer the risotto immedi-ately into a large, shallow, bowl. ✦


Calvin AhlgrenKendi AliffGeorgia AnkerKirk BealesDenise Bertucelli Brenda CanadaClaudia CarrollTim ChambersHerman ClasenGerry CooperCarol CostaJudy CountermineTommy DavisGene DyerMehrbanoo EsmailiEd EssickRuth FleshmanEvelyn GilbreathBrett GiulianoSamatha GiulianoCarol GoldenMichael GordonAnna HaightDiane HainJudy HallPrice HallJean HarrisonRob HarrisonHilda HensleyGriffin HillBarbara HodesLynn HuelsmannMolly Hynes

Kristin IsomGeorge JohnAnne JohnsonRon KawataTami KellyRusty KostickMichael KressDenise LaBudaRaynan LackMercedes LavarredaDr. Amy Cheng Lee, D.C.Yee LeeCarolyn LermanJanice LoviCandace MadduxDavid MalakeP. Scott MarcumNorman MasonsonSister Peggy McCauleyRebecca MilesRayner Needleman

Christine NishinagaHelen NugentGail OrchierCeleste ParcellCody Alden RahnAmido RapkinPaula RossRob RubyLinda SampsonLetitia SandersJoan SandersSueEllen ScheppkeDenise ScusselLibby SherwoodInez SkogOrville TeisingAllison ThompsonEdna TrimmSuzie van BuskirkMarcia Van MeterViji VierkeSusan Woodrum

Annual Report

“In Memory” Gifts received—July 2009 to July 2010Esther AllenIrma BartelMs. Patricia BeckerRuss BohlkeDorothy Margaret BradleyWes BrighamBarbara J. BrownMary BrownFlora CampbellWilliam CastelliJoseph CoffriniBaldy ColeDick CurtisOpal DanielsMercedes DepinedaJoseph DurneyElizabeth EmersonWalter Fadeff

Florence FalveyLiam FalveyLois FisherMichael FranceschiDorothy FreyFrank GoodallRobie HarrisonBarbara HaydenDiane HollandMr. HollidayMrs. Emma HubarrtRichard J. IsiEd KramerElise LarrouyMillie LearyEdward M. LewisTally P. MastrangeloMatt MattoonNancy Miravalle

Mary E. MooreDaughter of Isidore and Joanna NatsiosCarmen NickleMorgan NobleMargaret OrrHarry ParkerEddi PeaseMs. Nikki RagsdaleMichael SapirSheahan FamilyMaitland StanleyJoseph SultanaKathleen Christine Bowman ThomasCory VanDruenDavid VattuoneEvelyn VossbrinkRobert York

“In Honor” Gifts received—July 2009 to July 2010JacklynRobert BegleyEvelyn Berkman

Gene DePradoJulie and Bret MosleyWhistlestop Volunteers

Legacy Society MembersEstate of Peter and Edith AltmannKaren ArnoldEstate of Norma BoucherWendy BuchenEstate of Kathleen R. BurgyEstate of Hugh Thursten ClarkeEstate of Donald L. DuffyMichael HingsonAlfred HolckH. C. and Beverley JacksonMarilyn JacksonEstate of Francesca Livermore

Estate of Josephine LopesJane LottEstate of Eli Mac LeodEstate of Kenyon RaynerMichael RiceEstate of Carl SchmidtTerry ScusselJeff StofferDennis ThompsonEstate of George and Lucile TraegerEstate of Enid L. Wasserman

WHY

1 out of 4 Marin residents will be over the age of 65 in 2010

By 20101 out of every 3 Marin residents will be over the age of 65

Nearly 24/7 for Paratransit,Active Aging Center Mon-Fri 8am-4pm and Holiday Celebrations

WHE

NW

HO

HOW

Pacific

Sun

Whistlestop

Express

Silver

ExpressPacific Sun

Sun

Whistlestop ExpresSunPacific Sun’s

Sun

Whistlestop ExpressSilver Express

ExpressExpress

Pacific Sun.Whistlestop

Express

Pacific

SunExpress

Reception November 2nd at 6pm

WHE

RE

Whistlestop travels throughout Marin, but we are also in Sonoma, San Francisco, and Contra Costa counties.

Multi-Cultural Programs 10,338

Jackson Café Meals 9,493

Active Aging Programs 6,300

Info & Referrals 1,681

Whistlestop Wheels Rides

105,859

Bequests 12%

Individual Donors 7%

TransportationContracts 7%

Other 5%Grants 5%

WhistlestopWheels64%

WHA

T

Whistlestop Volunteers

Numbers served


[email protected]

Let your loved ones know how much you care by planning now.

“Saving time . . . and memories”Senior relocation, estate sales, trustee/executor services.

Jane Lott: 415.601.2613 � Marissa: 415-299-0979 en Español

Silver Rain

Estate Transition Services

Live more comfortably with a reverse mortgage

Call me to learn more about this important financial option from MetLife Bank.

Marge BottariMetLife Bank Reverse Mortgage Consultant 415-324-9144

All loans are subject to property approval. Certain conditions and fees apply. Mortgage financing provided by MetLife Bank, N.A., Equal Housing Lender. © 2010 METLIFE, INC. L0809052954[exp0810][All States][DC]

Reverse mortgagesHoma Rassouli • 415-256-2121

Borrower must be 62 years of age or older.Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is a divisionof Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. © 2010 WellsFargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved.AS394784 9/10-12/10

At Visiting Angels®, each and every day we care for many people in so many ways. If you have

a disability, post natal needs, are recoveringfrom an illness or surgical procedure, or just

need an extra set of hands to help,we can be there to assist you!

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Learn More atWHISTLESTOPBEGINNING COMPUTER/PICTURE CLASS1st & 2nd Fridays of Month • 2 to 4pmInstructor: Gene Dyer | Fee: $15 Pre-registration required: call 415-459-6700Prerequisite Skills: Basic Computer SkillsLearn to transfer your digital photos from a camera, CD or fl ash drive onto your computer and how to send and receive them with your friends and family by attaching them to emails. Bring Camera & Cable.

ADVANCED COMPUTER/PICTURE CLASSThird Friday of Month2 to 4pmInstructor: Gene Dyer | Fee: $15Pre-registration required: call 415-459-6700Prerequisite: Basic Computer SkillsLearn how to tell a Picture Story on computer monitors and TVs in slide shows, using Word, PDF,

Power Point Presentations and movie formats.

KNIT YOUR PART KNITTING GROUPWednesdays • 4:30pmLounge | Free

Confi rm day: call 415-456-9062

Everyone is knitting squares to eventually put together and make an afghan to give to charity. Bring your needles (size 7 or 8) and any yarnyou might have lying around. Everyone is welcome to come and join us!

THE DANGEROUS OLDER DRIVER PRESENTATIONWednesday, November 175 to 6pm | FreeSponsor: Carolyn Rosenblatt, RN, Attorney/MediatorTo register: call 415-456-9062What happens when a loved one who has been diagnosed with dementia is still driving? Families face confl ict when it comes time to take away the keys. Carolyn will discuss when and how to do this and not create a family battle.

THANKSGIVING FEASTThursday, November 25 • noon to 1:30pmJackson Café | Fee: $8 for older adults, $12 for under 60Reservations required: call 415-456-9062This event is open to the public. Please join us for Whistlestop’s Annual Thanksgiving Day Feast! Come enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving meal and listen to festive music. The feast includes roasted turkey, wild mushroom and pecan stuffi ng, watercress and arugula salad, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, roasted brussel sprouts with apples and bacon, dinner roll, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, fresh whipped cream, and sparkling cider.Sponsored by Mission San Rafael Rotary Club.

ON SITE NOTARY PUBLICThursdays • 12:30 to 2pmPlease confi rm dates & times: call 456-9062Please welcome Rob, a volunteer who will be our on site notary public. He has volunteered to offer notarial services to clients, visitors and employees of Whistlestop. Feel free to drop by and say hello. While the standard fees for notarial services (per the California Government Code Section 8211) are $10 for each signature, Rob’s fees for clients, employees and visitors of Whistlestop will be $2 during the onsite hours, and all proceeds will be donated to Whistlestop.

SENIOR PERSIAN GROUPMondays & Wednesdays • 10:30am to 4pmFor information: call 472-6020Coordinator: Mehrbanoo EsmailiOlder adults of Persian heritage are invited to enjoy social activities, exercise class, lunch in the Jackson Café, and English class. Activities include assistance with U.S. Citizenship application, completing YMCA sign-up forms, and citizenship classes, as well as monthly social events and computer classes in Farsi.

Learn to transfer your digital photos from a camera, CD or fl ash drive onto your computer and how to send and receive them with your

Power Point Presentations and movie formats.

KNIT YOUR PART

Lounge Confi rm day:

call 415-456-9062

Bring this coupon for any purchase in the store on November 6-7, 2010 and you

will help older adults in Marin.

15% OF YOUR PURCHASE GOES TO WHISTLESTOP.


Scheduling Rides: 454-0964Cancelling Rides: 457-4630Eligibility Coordinator, Janet Van Rijsbergen 454-0964, ext. [email protected]

Transportation Numbers

ANNUAL ENROLLMENTFOR MEDICARE PART D, PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGEThursday, November 4, November 18 and

Free | Register: 456-9062Speaker: Suzanne Schneider, CEBS, CLTC, Schneider Insurance ServicesFrom November 15 to December 31, you can change your Medicare Part D insurance provider. Are you on the best plan for you based on the medications you are taking and your personal situation? Or if you haven’t signed up for a Medicare Part D plan, should you do so now? Learn more about your situation and what options are available to you.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP WITH WHISTLESTOP TAX PROGRAMWhistlestop Active Aging Center, serving older adults and persons with disabilities, is seeking volunteers to help low-to-moderate income people with their 2010 taxes.

Volunteers commit from February through April and must participate in the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) training (held in January)to become certifi ed. For information: email [email protected] or call 456-9062, x124.

CHAIR YOGA

Instructor: Evelyn gilbreathEmphasis is on gentle breath work, stretches, balance, and relaxation and, most importantly, it is friendlyand fun.

HOLIDAY LUNCHEON

Jackson Café | Fee: $6 for older adults, $9 for under 60Reservations required: call 456-9062Please join us for a delicious meal and live entertainment by the Christmas Jug Band!Entertainment provided by Bread & Roses

Schneider, CEBS, CLTC,

From November 15 to December 31, you can change your Medicare

provider. Are you on the best plan for you based on the medications you are taking and your personal

Schneider, CEBS, CLTC, Schneider, CEBS, CLTC,

There is no October meeting of the Marin County Commission on Aging. Please mark your calendar for the November meeting.

Marin County Commission on Aging Meeting Thursday, November 4, 10am to 12:30pm

Tiburon Town Hall, 1505 Tiburon Blvd, Tiburon Medicare Updates

HICAPhttp://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts

/HH/main/ag/Commission.cfm415-499-7396

HEALTH CARE CONNECTION

415 4572256www.HealthCareConnectionLLC.com


WhistlestopACTIVITIES This Month at Whistlestop

TIME CLASS LOCATION MISC. COST

10:30–NOON Senior Persian Group Lounge 479-6020 for info Free11:00–NOON Computer Literacy Computer Lab Open Free11:00–12:30 PM Senior German Group Box Car Open Free2:00–4:00 PM ESL Caboose/Café Aug 16th-Dec 8th Free4:00–5:30 PM Citizenship Caboose 454-0998 for info Free

9:15–10:30 AM Whistle sizers Caboose Open $210:30–3:00 PM Senior Asian Group Caboose 454-1552 for info Free10:45–11:45 AM Cardio Exercise Caboose Open Free1:00–3:00 PM Spanish Class Caboose Open Free2:00–3:30 PM English Conversation Board Room 454-0998 for info Free

9:15–10:30 AM Whistle sizers Caboose Open $210:30–3:00 PM Senior Asian Group Caboose 454-1552 for info Free12:30–2:00 PM On Site Notary Arcade Open $2/Signature2:00-3:30 PM English Conversation Caboose 454-0998 for info Free 2:15–3:15 PM Chair Yoga Jackson Café Open Free in Nov.3:00–4:00 PM Vietn.Citizenship Caboose 454-1552 for info Free

9:00–10:30 AM Tai Chi Qigong Caboose Suggested Donation $1010:00–11:30 AM Seniors' Circle Board Room Open Free10:00–NOON Computer Lab Computer Lab Open Free10:30–NOON Senior Persian Group Lounge 479-6020 for info Free11:00–NOON Corazón Latino Caboose Open Free2:00–4:00 PM ESL Caboose/Café Aug 16th-Dec 8th Free

11:00–1:00 PM Loom Knitting Caboose 1st Fri. Arts & Crafts Free1:30–3:30 PM ACASA Board Room Peer Counseling Free1:30–3:30 PM Spanish Club Caboose Open Free 2:00-4:00 PM Friday Movie Jackson Café Free Snacks/Drinks Free

MO

ND

AYS

TUES

DAY

STH

URS

DAY

SW

EDNE

SDAY

SFR

IDAY

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The Caboose, Computer Lab, Board Room and Jackson Café are all located at Whistlestop’s Active Aging Center – 930 Tamalpais Ave., San Rafael.

Jackson Café

LUNC

H M

ENU

Monday-Friday 11:30am-1:30pmLocated in Whistlestop Active Aging Center

60+ PRICESMain Entrée $3.75Turkey Sandwich $2.75Soup $1.75Hamburger $4.00Pizza $3.50Salads $2.50

UNDER 60 PRICESMain Entrée $6.25Turkey Sandwich $3.25Soup $2.25Hamburger $5.00Pizza $4.50Salads $3.50

OTHER ITEMSTuna Salad Side $1.25Fresh Fruit Cup $.75Cottage Cheese $1.00Desserts $.50Beverages $.50-$.75


Birds run-ning on

water? Well, yes, a num-ber of birds do, pelagic

birds that live on the ocean’s surface where they feed on plankton, fish, – and unfor-tunately these days – bits of plastic. The Black-footed Albatross is one such; its seven-foot wings that let it soar effortlessly for hours over the ocean are too long to flap on take-off to get air-

borne. So they spread their wings wide and paddle, run, across the surface until the wind under their angled wings is strong enough to lift them up. Something like you used to do as a kid; running down the beach with a kite, trying to get up enough speed to launch it. (OK, some of you still do it. Sorry.) Anyway, the birds are quite a sight, legs stretched wide, moving faster and faster into what breeze there is, until it supports them and they rise up a few feet, where

they are once again free to soar on the lifting air. They don’t build nests or lay eggs on the water. Alba-trosses find a sandy shore where they can lay their single egg for the season. There is a longer version of this article on my blog at: www.RichardsBirdBlog.com if you are interested. Want a free funny, rare, or beautiful bird in your Inbox every Saturday? Just ask me at [email protected].

Enjoy the birds, Richard

The Bird's SideOF MARIN b y R I C H A R D P A V E K

Running on the Water

Since 2007, investors have become increas-ingly averse to risk. By some estimates, investors have sold

over $200 billion worth of domestic stocks and purchased nearly $600 billion of fixed income products dur-ing this period. When so many in-vestors place their bets on the same thing, prices inevitably rise. Buying bonds today may be taking on more risk than people realize. What is the “correct” percentage of bonds to hold? Should you con-sider buying stocks rather than adding bonds

FinancialNUGGETS by JEFF STOFFER, CPA, CFP®

Bonds: Too Much of a Good Thing?

I often refer to bonds as hot soup on a cold winter's day.

to your portfolio? In this first installment of a series on the love affair with bonds, we’ll look at some of the reasons people are flocking to bonds and suggest why this could be a problem. Subse-quent columns will consider bonds in terms of behavioral psychology and asset allocation. Finally, we’ll tackle the inflation versus defla-tion debate. People are buying bonds with such fervor

because they are afraid. The eco-nomic recovery is still question-able. Too many are unemployed. US Treasury bonds are the “safe haven.” Those concerned about deflation also love bonds because they expect other types of invest-ments, such as stocks, to fare poorly. So, what is to love about bonds? I often refer to bonds as “hot soup on a cold winter’s day.” What

makes them wonderful is the steady income stream they provide, along with the return of your principal. Bonds don’t fluctuate in value as much as stocks can. I feel warm and fuzzy just thinking about them! To be sure, bonds do have some risks, includ-ing inflation and rising interest rates. Infla-tion “eats” into principal. When your principal is returned in five years, for example, inflation makes it worth less than the original amount you loaned. Similarly, rising interest rates cause the value of a bond to go down. Why would anyone buy a $10,000 bond paying 5%, when he could buy one paying 6% today? The Great Recession has resulted in a loss of faith in stocks accompanied by a massive move toward bonds. Bonds have become more expen-sive because of their popularity. In the mar-kets, when investors follow the crowd, the risk of disappointment rises considerably. Recall the recent trends with tech stocks and real estate. People believe bonds are a safe invest-ment, but they are not without risk. Overpay-ing for them increases that risk. Next month: the psychology of investing in what is popular.✦

Stoffer is a Whistlestop Board member.12 The Whistle Stop Express November 2010

Give the gift of health…Therapeutic Yoga For Older Adults

YOGa TO YOu seeks to share the ancient wisdom found in yoga, now widely embraced by integrated

medicine that underscore the health benefi ts of yoga. We take Yoga to individuals and groups in their

private homes, or in assisted living centers,nursing homes, independent living sites, and other

residential care facilities for older adults.Call for a Free demonstration today!

Dr. Melanie Hahn

YOGa TO YOu©


Photo ContestWINNERS NATURE CATEGORY ANIMALS CATEGORY

THIRD PLACE African Elephants, Ann Rivo

FOURTH PLACE Nest Building, Al Gustafson

Photo Contest Winners’ Reception November 2

Winning photographers in the second annual

Whistlestop Photo Contest will be honored at a 6:30 pm reception Tuesday, November 2, at Whistlestop. Whistlestop is hosting the event and co-sponsoring it with Marin Acura. First, second, third and fourth

place award winners will be recognized. Family and friends of the winners are also invited. Wine, soft drinks and snacks will be served. Contest judges Terry Scussel and Mark Lindsay will be available to meet with the photographers. Joe O’Hehir, CEO of Whistlestop, will welcome

everyone to the event. First and second place winning photographs were presented in the October issue of the Whistlestop Express. The third and fourth place winners in each category are shown on these pages. Winning photos will be displayed at the reception. ✦

THIRD PLACE Jellyfish Montery Aquarium, Ann Rivo

FOURTH PLACE Antartic Guardian, Al Gustafson


Photo ContestWINNERS TRAVEL CATEGORY

PEOPLE CATEGORYTHIRD PLACE Girl in Red, Pat Wall

FOURTH PLACE Old Man at Moroccan Market, Ann Rivo

THIRD PLACE Puerto Montt, Chile, Steve Morey

FOURTH PLACE Antartic Ice, Al Gustafson

Choosing contest winners at Whistlestop in September, from left, Judge Terry Scussell, judging session manager Rebecca Lack and Judge Mark Lindsay.

IHSS Public Authority of Marin's Caregiver Forum November 10Who: For all caregivers, both paid and unpaidTopic: How to establish healthy boundaries with your client or loved oneWhen: Wednesday, November 10, 5-5:30pm, light refreshments; 5:30-7pm, program Where: Jackson Café at Whistlestop, 930 Tamalpais Ave., San Rafael.Presenters include a seasoned caregiver, a geriatric nurse, a mental health practitioner, and an attorney who works with the elderlyThere is no charge for the program but RSVP appreciated: [email protected]


Easy Ways to Give toWHISTLESTOP (and Something Good for an Older Adult)

Marin Access Mobility Management Center Opened On October 1, 2010

New center will aid in transportation for Marin’s older adults and persons with disabilities

Marin Access Mobility Management Center, a new community based, transportation management center, opened on October 1, 2010. Sponsored by Marin Transit and operated by Whistlestop, the new center will coordinate transportation resources to meet the needs of Marin’s older adults and persons with disabilities. www.marintransit.org, www.thewhistlestop.org

The fi rst Marin Access service is a One-Stop Transportation Information & Referral to the various transportation programs available in

Marin – public, non-profi t, and for-profi t. This service will help callers identify which type of transportation will best meet their needs. The Marin Access website (under development) will also have a searchable database of transportation providers.

Contact Marin Access at 415-454-0902. For questions about Marin Access or the Marin Mobility Consortium, contact Paul Branson, Community Mobility Manager for Marin Transit at 415-226-0863 - [email protected] or Jon Gaffney, Senior Manager of Transportation for Whistlestop at 415-456-9062 X151 - [email protected]. ✦

Join Us for Thanksgiving Feast

You can help Whistlestop Do Good Things For Older Adults in many ways. And, the effort is painless. Each month,

in the Whistlestop Express, we will list some of the possibilities. Good Search – Simply go to GoodSearch.com, pick Whistlestop as yoru charity and every time you search the Internet using their search engine, Whistlestop gets a donation! GoodSearch is a search engine that donates 50 percent of its revenue to the charities and schools designated by its users. It’s a simple and compelling concept. You use GoodSearch exactly as you would any other search engine. Because it’s powered by Yahoo!, you get prov-

en search results. The money GoodSearch do-nates comes from its advertisers — the users and the organizations do not spend a dime!eScrip – eScrip has created a system that rewards customer loyalty by contributing a percentage of purchases made at participat-ing stores to nonprofi ts. Go to eScrip.com, register, and pick Whistlestop as your charity. Then shop at the many participating stores.eScrip Recycling – Simply drop off your used laser toner, inkjet cartridges, used cell phones, digital cameras, iPods, GPS devices and laptops at Whistlestop’s front offi ce and we will recycle them, and Whistlestop will receive a small donation. ✦

Whistlestop will host a Thanksgiving Day noontime meal with music on Thursday, November 25. The feast is be-ing sponsored by the Mission San Rafael Rotary Club.

Reservations are required: 415-456-9062.

We invite you to celebrate the holidays at a luncheon onDecember 8. Details on both events are featured in thelist of events on pages 8 and 9.

Whistlestop

Marin Senior Coordinating Council

930 Tamalpais Avenue San Rafael, CA 94901-3325

TheWhistlestop.org

A place to store completed legal documents, the organizer also prepares you to create or update your will or living trust, providing clear definitions of legal terms.

The organizer also contains a checklist of accounts, assets, and instructions so your loved ones can easily find what they need in case of an emergency. When completed, the organizer lifts a burden from your loved ones at a time of great stress and can save them time and expense in this uncertain economy.

Organized estate plans are a solace to your family and can provide help to good causes like Whistlestop in your name. We welcome your call or email.

E PRESSWhistlestop

Whistlestop is pleased to offer you a complimentary estate planning organizer. To receive your organizer, stop by our Active Aging Center at 930 Tamalpais Ave or contact Rebecca Lack at 415-456-9062 x121 or [email protected].

Get your estate plan togetherwith our free organizer

Whistlestop Express November 2010

Documents

Transcript of Whistlestop Express November 2010