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###################################### Currents Strawberry Creek Lodge Tenants Association January 15, 2009 ###################################### Olga says Thank You for the lovely baby shower you hosted for me. I’m overwhelmed by all of your love and support. I’m grateful for your generosity and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Olga
Upcoming Events Thursday, January 15, Harp Concert, 7:30 pm, 1st floor. Harpist “Angel” will take us on a folk song trip around the world and will have some of her CDs and tapes available for sale. Julie Bidou says, “She not only goes by the name Angel, she plays like an angel.”
Friday, January 16, Iraq Moratorium and Peace Rally, 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Acton and University. We are urging all our residents to attend our peace rally, supported by Strawberry Creek Lodge, Gray Panthers, and Iraq Moratorium, for whatever time they can. Obama needs to hear from us. War is not the answer. Fran Rachel
Wednesday, January 21, Great Books Discussion Group, 2:00 pm, 4th floor. Discussion of Plato’s Symposium. Be prepared to consider the views on Love of: Phaedrus, Pausanias, Eryximachus, Aristophanes, Agathon, Socrates, Diotima and Alcibiades. Don Anderson
Saturday, January 24, Global Belly Laugh Day, All day, but officially join the world in one big belly laugh at 1:24 p.m. PST. Laughter, besides being just plain fun, is healthy too. As one fellow says: "Laughing, like crying, is a good way of eliminating toxins from the body." A good belly laugh burns calories and exercises your muscles too! Go to bellylaughday.com for suggestions and inspiration on making everyday a belly laugh day.
Saturday, February 21, Comedy Skits, 7:30 p.m., Ben West Theater. See what happens when Saturday Night (dead or) Live joins 60 Minutes (or less) when San Francisco native DEE WHALEN in her first out-of-town tryout program will bring comedy monologues to Strawberry Creek Lodge. SCL residents "Roberta" and "Samantha" as well as "Andy Rooney" (pseudo.) will round out the time. You can expect more details in the February Currents. Julie Bidou
Announcements BERKELEY BOWL VAN: Because the 3rd Monday is a holiday, the van will go to BB on Tuesday the 20th.
REPORT ON OLGA’S BABY SHOWER: On Thursday, January 8, a baby shower was held for Olga in our dining room. David, our chef, prepared delicious chicken wings, carrot cake and chocolate cake was supplied by Saeeda, and gifts were given by our tenants. Many sweet little baby outfits and other items were given to Olga in addition to a sum of money amounting to $925. We all had fun. Bea Howard
CELL PHONE DO NOT CALL LIST: A recent notice posted on the bulletin board opposite the small elevator about cell phone numbers being released to telemarketers caused alarm among some of our residents. When brought to the attention of your editor, I discovered this “warning,” has been circulating since 2005, and was inaccurate to begin with. A printout from several informed websites has been posted in its place. Please, before spreading alarm about something that seems on the sensational, hard to believe side, check it out. There are several good rumor watchdog websites for doing this. The one I use is: truthorfiction.com. Diane Capito
HELP ON PROJECT REQUESTED--URGENTLY: Bill Rouverol, 91, has a concept that appears to offer a good likelihood of eliminating all election chicanery: all you need to do is make vote casting and vote tabulation SIMULTANEOUS. This totally eliminates the time needed for rigging and other manipulations. Bill has filed a patent application and designed a prototype of the new system, but one person cannot introduce an election system
by himself. Bill desperately needs volunteer or paid help. No wage ceiling exists, so please call Bill at (510) 848-8121 if you are interested. No better way to help improve how the world exists.
Notes from Marlin’s Desk Nothing to add since the last meeting. Just trying to get caught up.
Meetings ADMINISTRATION At the first meeting of 2009 Marlin apologized for maintenance not getting around to installing the new water-saving aerators we received. He asked our indulgence as maintenance catches up on all the work they found to do as a result of the annual inspection. He told me after the meeting that he didn’t expect maintenance to get caught up until February. Marlin reported that our heating system and heaters have been inspected. The boilers are all set correctly and working properly. Some heaters were found to need cleaning and that has been done. However, he pointed out, our buildings were not well designed to retain heat. The heat gets to the apartments okay, but then dissipates through doors and windows. Closing the drapes will do much to keep cold air out and heat in. He asked that we not overtax the system by leaving windows and drapes open in the B Bldg. lounges during cold days and definitely not at night. Also, to close laundry room windows and doors at night. Keeping the halls warm will help keep the apartments warm, but becomes a challenge. Again, due to not the best design, some hall radiators are adjacent to the breezeway doors. If the heaters are set to be on, they will be going full blast--which will run up our utility bill and probably not do much anyway to warm the halls. The door tape program has been updated. [More under Articles] Marlin, working with the Tenant Association, has set new pet regulations. Pets will no longer be allowed in the dining room. This is because sometimes they are overly attracted to what’s on the table. Also, no pet walking in the back yard. This has been urged by some for sanitary reasons. The drinking fountain: It should be replaced and is on the list, but for now, regretfully, it is low on the priority list. The light on the front sign: The light we have now is inadequate, but the only solution, running electricity to the sign is very expensive. Is it worth the expense? As some pointed out: it’s been that way since the sign went up and people find us. Anyway, the sign only benefits drivers headed south, not those who arrive northbound. TV antennae: We’re temporarily stymied on this too. It has been determined that the antennae itself is okay, and the electronics involved are okay. But wiring, both through the building and in the apartments, are all suspect. We are working on determining what is working and what isn’t, but so far we do not have answers. Marlin introduced Abraham Nievod who is asking for volunteers for a project on the stories and photographs of elders. The material he gathers will become an exhibit or documentary or book, or all those. He wants to show what aging is like as positively and honestly as possible, our issues, hopes, our pasts, where we are now.
TENANTS ASSOCIATION Our new TA president, Paula Salemme, greeted us with colorful blue bird and sunshine agendas, then proceeded to conduct a smooth meeting that even ended a tad early. Way to go, Paula! First on the agenda was a presentation by our head of maintenance, Cletis Young, who used touches of humor to let us know that until the end of January the response time on some of our work orders will not be done in a timely manner. He explained why they will not, and, I think, convinced all or most all of us that it was okay. Cletis is very specific as to numbers: maintenance tries to keep open work orders down to 44, the number they can handle in a timely manner. But because of a larger than average number of moveouts and finishing up work that resulted from the annual inspection, his crew has has been inundated. They presently have 107 open work orders. [More under Articles] He also touched on resident concern about chemicals used in cleaning and maintenance work. He apologized for any inconvenience caused in the process of preparing vacated apartments for new tenants and assured us that they use the safest products available.
In closing, Cletis said he’d be happy to show us the computer log of work orders and explain how they are handled. But, please, not until after the end of January! To begin the Vice President’s report, Saeeda Khan welcomed Paula as our new President and Chloe Muhs as our new Treasurer. Addy Tatto continues as Secretary, and, of course, Saeeda as V-P. Saeeda asked that we renew our membership with CARA and with Housing Rights Inc. Both renewals were passed. Saeeda further reported that all committees are performing well. Diane Capito has helped update the Friendly Neighbor committee, Aroza Simpson has agreed to chair the committee, and Fran Rachel will continue to introduce new residents at the TA meeting. (More under Articles) The legislative committee has requested dedicated space on a bulletin board. Paula said there is an unused bulletin board available and over the weekend Jerry installed it next to the big calendar. Saeeda reported the grant application we made for work on our back yard has been reviewed and a request made for a direct presentation. Saeeda ended her report by saying what a wonderful New Year’s Eve party we had and credited it to many good elements: good helpers, good food, good entertainment, and the good music that inspired some “old” dancers to get out there and move: herself, Fran, and Julie in particular. [More at Articles] Bea was thanked for collecting the donations and gifts and also the others who helped put together a great shower for Olga. Besides many lovely gifts of clothes and blankets, we presented her with a check for $925! Board rep, Jerry Essel, reported that we sent a recommendation to the Board for more Project Based Section 8 units. Julie Bidou, Entertainment, asked that we increase the entertainment honorarium. There was some discussion on this, mostly about our already strained budget. No vote was taken on this matter. Jessie Jesulaitis, Conservation, asked us to submit our favorite recipes for a fund-raiser cookbook. She also issued a strong reminder that we bring our own plates, cups and utensils to the Sunday Coffee and Last Saturday Potluck. This saves using throwaway wares. Carlene Cole congratulated us on doing better than last year on utility and water use, in spite of a cold winter. Ruth Michaels, Legislative, reported that she and Fran Rachel will attend the CARA meeting on coming home from the hospital problems.
Jewell Ashby, Library, thanked those who keep the library running smoothly: Harry Siitonen for monitoring the newspapers, Kay Ryan for keeping everything neat, and Richard Stone for shelving books. She said the library wants donations, but not too many, and definitely not text book or Reader Digest condensed books. She asked for volunteers to “adopt” one section of the library to keep clean and neat. Also, there are freebie books on a shelf on the 4th floor now. Jewell reported that the library has funds to buy books and said that if we know of a book that we think would be a good addition to the library, that we buy the book, keep the receipt, do a review of the book for Currents, then submit the receipt for reimbursement. But no reimbursement unless you do a review. Fran Rachel, Activities for Peace, made a call for action, reminding us that change comes from us, and urging us to speak out for peace. It was reported that Diedre Kessler is recovering from her stroke, and hopes to be ready for guests soon--but not now.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING There was no Board meeting in December.
CONSERVATION COMMITTEE Dear Fellow Conservationists, We have made a substantial start with our efforts at conservation – with the hope of lowering our operating costs and hopefully to keep our rents low. Going forward, it is ALL of us doing the small things DAILY that will prove our effectiveness. Our efforts to lower our MUDD bill, by changing the aerators on our kitchen and bathroom faucets, has hit a glitch. Although MUDD has provided us with the aerators, the Maintenance Dept. has been overwhelmed with move-outs and ‘in house’ moves so that the full house change of aerators will be put on hold. But anyone who has maintenance coming into their apartment for anything can request them to put on the new aerators. We have to show an 11% drop in usage this next billing so that an increase of costs are not added. For this month’s meeting (the last Thursday of the month at 7 P.M., 4th Floor) Bea Howard has provided us with a video. See you then and please bring your suggestions. R. Jesse
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE At our last Tenant Association meeting we voted to pay the 09 membership fee for CARA (California Alliance for Retired Americans). Every SCL tenant is now a member of CARA and is entitled to receive CARA publications. A sample copy of the January newsletter is now on display in the Legislative Committee folder next to Linda's office. If you want to receive CARA notices please call me, Ruth Michaels at 644-0480.
Articles FRIENDLY NEIGHBOR UPDATE: The Friendly Neighbor program, one of the amenities that makes SCL a special place to live, has undergone some slight changes. If you check the display board on your floor you’ll see that both the resident roster and the FN roster has been updated. Social Services has also reviewed and updated the Blue Dot system that alerts rescuers, in case of fire or earthquake, who needs assistance in evacuating. On most floors, one FN will put the door tapes on at night, and the other one will check late morning to see that they have all dropped. If a tape is still over the door handle, the FN will call to see if you are okay. What is new is that once the FN has checked the tapes he or she will report this to the desk clerk. If a FN hasn’t reported by 1:00 pm, the desk clerk will call the FN. With this system in place, we’ll know that all doors have been checked. It is most helpful that if you will be away overnight, when you leave you tuck the tape inside as you close your door so the FN doesn’t make an effort to check on you. You could also leave a note for the FN saying how long you’ll be gone. And management requests that if you will be gone for two or more days you leave a note with a contact number with Linda. There are forms in a box on the outside of her office door. This could be essential information in case of emergency. It’s important to remember, though, that this system only tells us that you did get up and open your door at some time in the morning. It still isn’t a fail-safe system to avoid having a resident lying ill on the floor for a long period of time. That is why it is important to have other safety checks in place. Every resident has been issued a wrist alarm. It is loud enough that somebody passing by in the hall will hear it and check on you. TeleCare, a free service from Alta Bates Hospital, will call you at a designated time to see if you are okay. To sign up call 204-4487. And if you have major health problems, especially if you are not always steady on your feet, consider paying for a service that connects you directly to an emergency service. We all hate to admit we’re getting older and more frail, but it’s better to face that and take some precautions, than to lie helpless on the floor for many hours, or for help to come too late. Don’t give in to foolish pride. Be safe, not sorry. Another change to the FN procedure is that one person will now be the official greeter of new tenants. The wonderful person who has volunteered to do this is Aroza Simpson. She will present a packet with the Tenant Association booklet, the monthly calendar, Currents, the resident roster, emergency cards to fill out, and information on emergency preparedness, plus introduce the new resident to the FN on that floor who can answer any future questions. As soon as the Association booklet is updated, the new tenants who never received a welcome packet will be getting one. Fran Rachel will continue to introduce new residents at the Tenant Association meeting. Diane Capito
MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT UPDATE: The Strawberry Creek Lodge Maintenance Department is committed to providing the highest quality service we can for all of our residents. We are responsible for the majority of the facility’s maintenance needs, encompassing the following maintenance items: Plumbing, Electrical, Carpentry, Heating, Safety, Sewer, Grounds, Turnovers and other Approved Projects. We are at your service. A reminder about Work Orders You must first contact the Administrator, Assistant Administrator, front desk or night manager to request a service work order. Please leave your name, apartment number, and a brief description of the problem you are experiencing in or outside of your unit. If it is an emergency someone will immediately assist you. If it is not an emergency someone will contact you as soon as possible. Remember, it is very important that tenants put all maintenance requests on an official Strawberry Creek Lodge work order. And please, whenever possible, we ask that you do not stop maintenance personnel in the hallway to request service. When tenants do this we lose the opportunity to record the request and we are required to keep a record of every maintenance item or activity we attempt or complete. These records help you, and the many public agencies that support Strawberry Creek, to track and the control expenses that impact the cost of maintaining our facility. Please note that due to a high number of turnovers we will be experiencing service delays for non-critical or non-emergency work orders. We will be experiencing delays from January 3, 2009 until January 30, 2009. We anticipate a return to our normal level of service after that date and we thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation. Sincerely, Cletis D. Young, Maintenance Supervisor
NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY Our traditional SCL New Year's Eve party on December 31st was hosted by Paula Salemne, coordinated by Fran Rachel, and with Larry Melnick providing the decorations. As usual, our favorite cook, David, prepared a delicious dinner. And Saeeda Khan organized the serving. She tells us, "A host of volunteers too numerous to list" came to help. Julie Bidou organized the entertainment. Jerry Essel and Al Benson took charge of background music. The Island Taste, a musical group, played live music to sing and dance to; Bin Shan, a resident, and her group, performed Chinese dances; Will Holst, Larry Melnick and Maggie Heffernan gave us a comedy skit; six-year-old Emily played classical piano pieces; and Marcia Kerwit taught us a Balkan dance - a rich program for which we thank all the many volunteers. Everyone says this New Year's Eve party was
the best ever! It was magical! People who haven't danced for 20 years found themselves moving around, having fun on our little dance floor. And it went on and on for quite a while. All this happened, I think, because of our wonderful musicians. Don Hodgson, of our maintenance staff, brought his brother and his cousin, all musicians. They played guitar and sang a variety of pieces: Mexican, South American, Latin, Samba--anything we asked for. And it was irresistible. So we danced in a happy New Year. Fran Rachel
DRIVING: KNOWING WHEN TO QUIT: One of the hardest decisions we have to face as we age is when to give up driving. We certainly don’t want to admit we’re getting old, or that we’re deteriorating, and, most of all, we don’t want to give up our independence. So we deny the warning signs. What’s wrong with that guy who honked at me? we think, not realizing that we had cut into his lane. Other drivers honking at you is one of several warning signs we need to watch for. Other signals that we may not be driving as well as we once did are little dents and scrapes on the car or garage door, not clearing the curb as you make a turn, difficultly reading traffic signs, feeling unsure, especially in fast traffic, difficulty seeing at night. And one sure signal is when you offer to pick up a friend or relative and they always make an excuse and insist that they pick up you instead. None of us want to give up the freedom and independence that driving gives us. But if our driving skills are not as good as they once were, we have no choice. We can choose to risk our own safety or life, but we have no right to risk the safety and life of others. Several websites exist that offer help in determining when and if it is time for you to stop driving: aarp.org & familydoctor.org are two. Best of all, here in Berkeley we don't have to give up our independence when we give up our cars. We are fortunate to have many alternatives to driving ourselves: excellent public transportation, taxis, Paratransit, and trips on the senior center vans. [Next month: How to tell someone you know that it’s time they give up driving.] Commentary
FAST LANE These cars, small cars, middle cars, big cars, all going so fast on the freeways and highways – just like our lives. Who can be so lazy, these days, to think about riding a train. Cars go so fast. Just keep watching for a Highway Patrol and slow down if you see one. Time to read road sign “Gas and Food 30 Miles.” I am hungry, I want something to eat now. Well, thirty miles means a few more minutes with this fast speed. Imagination flies to an experience of train-riding. In the train, so easy to walk to the dining area. Snacks are available all the time. One can take snacks to the upper deck view area--my favorite place to spend time on a train. Eat, drink and relax, sitting there having the pleasure of watching the surroundings the train is passing through. The most beautiful Northern California, Pacific Ocean, colors change now and then, green, blue and silver. Tall redwood trees, other trees and all kinds of greenery, make grand scenery. Then the train enters Oregon State. Gorgeous pine trees of a different species, colorful bushes, new greenery, and small waterfalls. The bounty of nature available to enjoy. Watching such a richness and beauty of nature, poets can create poetry about love and spirituality. What a peaceful and enjoyable journey. Suddenly, someone switched on a radio. Invasion of Iraq, bombardments, loss of many, many lives. Has nature given us this much power to enjoy it or destroy it at our will? Aren’t these contradictions disturbing? Actually, the car is driving faster than my thoughts. Here is gas station and McDonald’s. I am hungry for food but my thoughts are wondering around how people are hungry for everything else. Soon I finished my hamburger and we are on the road again, in the same fast lane. Saeeda Khan
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"If you can't laugh, there's something wrong. You gotta let it out. If you didn't laugh it would be all bottled up. Then it'd probably come out as anger instead of laughter." Sherri Simpson, Michigan
Birthdays-January David Orleans, Jeanne Clark, Helen Ruderman, Elsie Lowe, Anne Macey, Julie Bidou, Chloe Muhs, Irene Kahn, Valentina Bulygina, Nellie Beltran, Tian Han, Anna Parker, Anjalee Pyykko, Joy Ferguson, Saeeda Khan, Robert Houlehan BEST WISHES ALL
Profile BARBARA EDMONDS was born in Chippewa, Wisconsin in 1916 and lived many years in Warren, Michigan, right outside of Detroit. She--along with her twin brother Robert who later fought in Spain with the Abraham Lincoln Brigade -- were the oldest of five children. Since their father was a resident engineer, the family moved about every year-and-a-half and the children had to go to a lot of different schools. They took this in stride, learning, among other things, the art of being flexible. With her father’s encouragement she and her siblings went on for more education even during the Depression years. In 1937 Barbara received a BA in sociology at the University of Michigan. As a student she was involved in left-wing politics, having met her husband (whom she married in 1938) at a meeting of the Young Communists. Later, during the McCarthy years, the FBI attempted to intimidate him, though nothing came of it. In addition to being a fine pianist, her husband was a librarian. Seeing how much he enjoyed his work, she decided she would enjoy it too, and went back to school for a Master’s in Library Science. She worked as a librarian whenever she could, and did indeed enjoy it. In between, she taught at a nursery school, where she would take her daughter Margaret, born in 1942. Her son Alan, who lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, was born in 1948. Barbara also held office jobs. Her last job was as secretary to the dean at a community college. In 1980, Barbara and her husband John came to Berkeley, following their daughter who had come here to work. Unfortunately John died the next day--a heart attack followed the long plane ride and he did not survive the quintuple by-pass he was given . Still, Barbara feels very happy to be in Berkeley, and enjoys living with all the people here at SCL, whom she feels are really sharp. She also enjoys the family reunion every three years that consists entirely of herself and the next generations, now that her sisters and brothers are all deceased. Barbara is interested in reading, mostly nonfiction. Most recently she has read the biography of Nijinsky, the great ballet dancer, whose life she describes as very poignant. Her forte is language; she speaks Spanish, is on the library committee at SCL, and is to be seen most evenings in the library, often working away at a Crossword Puzzle. She likes to listen to music, mostly classical, and still has her collection of old fashioned LP’s. She says about her life: “I’m still pretty vigorous – the usual aches and pains. I don’t think of my life as being very interesting, but it was good for me. Hang Loose is a pretty good motto, not to take life too seriously. “
###################################### "In the Navajo tradition we have what we call Chi Dlo Dil, or a Laughing Party, for a newborn. At the party everybody sits around the baby and has a big meal and plays with the baby. The person who makes the baby laugh first plays an important role in the child's life.” Nancy Evans, New Mexico
Laughter is the shortest distance between two people. Victor Borge
"If human life did not have laughing, that would be boring. Laughing is what makes life fun." Perenlei Senddoo, Mongolia
Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face. Victor Hugo ###################################### Classified ###################################### Sewing machine for sale: Jean Hunt called to ask if anyone would like to buy her Singer sewing machine. It is in a blond cabinet with three drawers, has all the attachments, and includes the bench. Excellent condition. $100. If you are interested, or know someone who is, call Jean at 510-421-6736
###################################### Computer help: Do you want to be more productive with your computer this new year? Would you like to discover more about email or social networking? Or would you just like to learn the basics with someone who can provide individualized tutoring? I can help you with your Windows or Macintosh computer. I can help with Microsoft Word, Excel, Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox, and other popular programs. I have experience with teaching people with disabilities. My basic fee is $15 per hour. Tom Yamaguchi, 510-872-0783 (cell),
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###################################### Need a sewing job done? A seam, a patch, a hem. Minor alterations. Reasonable prices. Addy Tatto--C 240--845-0827
###################################### Reflexology: Half-price to Strawberry Creek Lodge Residents. Foot therapy that feels great and is healing for your whole body. $20 for half an hour. Call Jeanne at 649-7674
###################################### Piano Lessons: Have you always wanted to play the piano? Or want to get back in practice? Debbie Carton (Family and Friends), is now accepting piano students with an interest in classical music, beginners to advanced intermediate. And she’ll come to the Lodge to teach. Debbie has taught piano and worked as an accompanist for vocalists and instrumentalists. Pay on sliding scale: $35-50 hour. Phone: 510/559-8105 or
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###################################### NIGHT MANAGERS: 841-8330 Wednesday evening through Monday morning: Ken Monday Evening through Tuesday morning: Da Tuesday evening to Wednesday Morning: Pondi
HOURS FOR GAIL: 848-8702 Monday: not here Tuesday through Friday: 9:30 am-5:30 pm ###################################### SUBMITTING TO CURRENTS Deadline is the 10th of the month. [strictly enforced] I will send an acknowledgment of receipt for all emails. If you don’t get a reply within one day after sending, that means I didn’t receive your contribution. Call me or try again.
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Strawberry Creek Currents
