April 1, 2021

   

Dear Lowellyn Sunga, 

Thank you for so many well wishes on and around my birthday. I truly felt lots of love this year, so thank you all so very much. My birthday (no significant number) was surprising on many levels. I heard from people in my present – family, friends, and work colleagues. Wow! I heard from people from my past – from different periods and places in my life, going all the way back to high school. I also had some luck on the actual day. I taught my morning class and afterwards, checked emails. In one email, I was notified that I had won a catered meal for four from Mollie Stone’s…I was completely flabbergasted! Of course, since I do not eat chicken, I had to give it away (a carnivorous co-worker) but I kept all the vegetables and sides. Since I rarely win anything, including raffle drawings, I felt utterly lucky and grateful – all at the same time. However, there was a story to this Mollie Stone’s surprising event…
 

Around St. Patrick’s Day, Mollie Stone’s emailed people on their newsletter list that they were offering the opportunity to win a catered meal for four. I also do not eat corned beef, but I do love Irish soda bread. I decided to respond to it. I wrote a return email back to Mollie Stone’s marketing department and stated that I wanted to enter the St. Patrick’s Day contest. I guess I should also mention that I wrote back to them in Irish Gaelic.
 

I spent a couple of hours drafting the email I was going to send in. Since I am a beginning Irish student, I had to use a couple of dictionaries to get my ideas across. It was in the most basic of Irish, but I was very excited about the prospect of being selected. Talk about magical thinking – I actually believed since my response was in Irish that I would, naturally, be selected as the winner.
 

I was very wrong! I get a good laugh just thinking about it now. I was not selected, did not eat any soda bread, and had to move on…So when the email arrived on my birthday morning, everything seemed so unpredictable. What I learned is that sometimes you can work very hard at something, plan on it, and still not have your hopes or wishes fulfilled... And, at other times, you can just be present, sitting in a state of grace, when good things will happen to you. Does that mean we should always sit still and wait for good things to happen? No, of course not. Nevertheless, we should not assume our plan is the only plan…and we need to be open to that other plan when and if it arrives.
 

On my April to-do list, be outside as much as possible. I hope I get to see you out there also…

April 2021 Programming 

Chair Yoga

Thursday, April 1 from 9:30-10:30 AM

What is chair yoga? Chair yoga is a style of yoga therapy that may be ideal for folks who have limited mobility, are new to yoga or work at a desk for prolonged periods of time.  Improve your balance, lower limb strength, fight depression and gain vitality in this meditative morning class! Every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 9:30-10:30 AM. Please register in advance by contacting Ellyn at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org 

 

Tai Chi

Friday, April 2 from 9:30-10:30 AM

Enhance your physical health by improving posture, balance, flexibility and strength. Tai Chi also helps to alleviate pain.  Join us every Friday morning for this morning class from 9:30-10:30 AM.  Please register in advance by contacting Ellyn at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org

 

Fit Fusion
Monday, April 5 from 9:30-10:30 AM

A morning cardio class to help ensure you reach your fitness goal.  This class meets every Monday and Wednesday morning. Please register in advance with Ellyn (She/Her) at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org

 

Chair Yoga

Tuesday, April 6 from 9:30-10:30 AM

What is chair yoga? Chair yoga is a style of yoga therapy that may be ideal for folks who have limited mobility, are new to yoga or work at a desk for prolonged periods of time.  Improve your balance, lower limb strength, fight depression and gain vitality

in this meditative morning class! Every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 9:30-10:30 AM. Please register in advance by contacting Ellyn at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org 

Senior Affordable Rental Housing Workshop for People 62

Tuesday, April 6 from 1:30-3:00 PM
Looking for affordable housing and don’t know where to start? This FREE, VIRTUAL workshop explains how affordable housing works in this area for people who are 62 and what steps you need to take to get on the waitlists for affordable housing. Come with a notebook and a pen to learn about affordable housing opportunities.  
Workshop is free and open to the public, aged 62 (all are welcome! Need not be LGBTQ ) To RSVP and receive log in information about joining this group, please contact Ellyn (she/her) at 

ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org

Fit Fusion
Wed., April 7 from 9:30-10:30 AM

Please register in advance with Ellyn (She/Her) at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org

 

Online Zumba

Wed., April 7 from 4:00-4:30 PM
Dance to Latin beats with Apna Zumba for 30 minutes. Please register on Eventbrite.

LGBTQ Book Club (18 )

Wed., April 7 from 

4:30-6:00 PM

The San Mateo County Pride Center and Peninsula Family Service co-hosts LGBTQ Book Club every first Wednesday of the month! This club is free, open to folks 18 and runs from 4:30-6PM. 

 

Pre-registration is required. Please use this link to register: https://tinyurl.com/SMCPC-bookclub.  This month’s book is Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown

Chair Yoga

Thursday, April 8 from 9:30-10:30 AM

Please register in advance by contacting Ellyn at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org

 

Lecture: The Scientific Roots of Wisdom, Compassion and What Makes us Good

Thursday, April 8 at 1:00 PM

For over 2 decades, geriatric psychiatrist,Dr. Dilip Jeste, has led the search for the biological and cognitive roots of wisdom. In this talk, Dr. Jeste reflects on the emerging field of the neurobiology of wisdom, its promise to help alleviate the modern epidemics of loneliness, suicide, and addiction, and ways to nurture and grow this complex trait. Dr. Jeste's main areas of research include schizophrenia, neuropsychiatric interventions, and successful aging. Please register for this event on EventBrite.

 

Tai Chi

Friday, April 9 from 9:30-10:30 AM

Please register in advance by contacting Ellyn at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org

 

Fit Fusion
Monday, April 12 from 9:30-10:30 AM

Please register in advance with Ellyn (She/Her) at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org

 

Chair Yoga

Tuesday, April 13 from 9:30-10:30 AM

Please register in advance by contacting Ellyn at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org

 

**Celebrate National Poetry Month with other poetry lovers**

Tuesday, April 13 from 11:00- Noon

April is National Poetry Month, 30 days of celebrating the joy, expressiveness, and pure delight of poetry. Please join in the celebration. Do you write your own poetry? Do you have a favorite poem by another poet?  Do you like to listen to poetry?  This is the perfect opportunity to share your love of poetry with others! Contact Ellyn for more information. Please register in advance with Ellyn (She/Her) at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org

 

Fit Fusion
Wed., April 14 from 9:30-10:30 AM

Please register in advance with Ellyn (She/Her) at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org


Travel Meetup

Wed., April 14 from 10:00-11:30 AM

We travel because our life is defined by experiences. No matter whether we traveled near or far, all of those experiences helped us shape who we currently are. Join us for open discussions about your travel memories. Share your own adventures, photos from around the world and meet other travel enthusiasts.  April’s discussion topics are Machu Picchu and Iceland. Please register in advance with Ellyn at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org

 

Online Zumba

Wed., April 14 from 4:00-4:30 PM
Dance to Latin beats with Apna Zumba for 30 minutes. Please register on Eventbrite.

 

Chair Yoga

Thursday, April 15 from 9:30-10:30 AM

Please register in advance by contacting Ellyn at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org

 

Tai Chi

Friday, April 16 from 9:30-10:30 AM

Please register in advance by contacting Ellyn at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org

 

Livestreamed concert by celebrated musician, Rhiannon Giddens
Friday, April 16 from 11:00 AM

Giddens’s lifelong mission is to lift up people of color whose contributions to American musical history have previously been erased, and to work toward a more accurate understanding of the country’s musical origins. Please register for this event on EventBrite.

 

Fit Fusion
Monday, April 19 from 9:30-10:30 AM

Please register in advance with Ellyn (She/Her) at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org

 

Get APP-y Workshop

Monday, April 19 from Noon-1pm

Have a question about your tablet or laptop? Think your phone may be smarter than you? Join us at Get APP-y Workshop (formerly APP-y Hour) to freely ask questions and get answers that help you through your tech challenges. Please register in advance to Arlene at aaquino@peninsulafamilyservice.org. This workshop meets monthly on the 3rd Monday of the month.

 

Chair Yoga

Tuesday, April 20 from 9:30-10:30 AM

Please register in advance by contacting Ellyn at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org 

 

Fit Fusion
Wed., April 21 from 9:30-10:30 AM

Please register in advance with Ellyn (She/Her) at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org

 

Online Zumba

Wed., April 21 from 4:00-4:30 PM
Dance to Latin beats with Apna Zumba for 30 minutes. Please register on Eventbrite.

 

Chair Yoga

Thursday, April 22 from 9:30-10:30 AM

Please register in advance by contacting Ellyn at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org

 

SEX, LOVE, AND AGING: REALISTIC AND RESILIENT

Thursday, April 22 from 11:00-12:15 PM

We of a certain age have figured out how to get through stuff. We can use those skills to reinvent, refine, or rediscover how we connect with ourselves or with a partner.
Topics include:

1. Changing bodies, changing lives: Change is real but does not have to take you down

2. Practicing sharing feelings, fears, triumphs—why this is important

3. Countering unrealistic expectations, finding realistic models


Dr. Kelly Rees is a board certified Sexologist with a private practice based in Portland, Oregon, specializing in sexual issues, intimacy, and alternative relationships. Anna Marti, an intimacy coach in Portland, Oregon, has been working, speaking, and mentoring sex positivity for over twenty-five years. Please register for this event at EventBrite.

 

Tai Chi

Friday, April 23 from 9:30-10:30 AM

Please register in advance by contacting Ellyn at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org

 

Fit Fusion
Monday, April 26 from 9:30-10:30 AM

Please register in advance with Ellyn (She/Her) at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org

 

Chair Yoga

Tuesday, April 27 from 9:30-10:30 AM

Please register in advance by contacting Ellyn at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org

 

Unique Strengths of the LGBTQIA Community

Tuesday, April 27 from 11:00-12:30 PM

Center for Hope and FreeState Justice join together to discuss unique strengths in the LGBTQ community. In this training, we will discuss unique strengths and resilience factors that are present in the LGBTQ community culturally and individually. Participants will gain an understanding of the ways that queer culture creates space for strengths and resilience. This training is designed for anyone who would like to learn more about strengths of the LGBTQ community. Please register for this event at EventBrite.

 

Gay Men’s Group (18 )

Tuesday, April 27 from 6:00 PM

Join this virtual conversation for Gay men who want to socialize about common interests, meet new people, and connect during the pandemic. Facilitated by Jorge Vidarte (He/Him). Please register using this link: https://tinyurl.com/smcpc-gaymensgroup

 

Fit Fusion
Wed., April 28 from 9:30-10:30 AM

Please register in advance with Ellyn (She/Her) at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org

 

Online Zumba

Wed., April 28 from 4:00-4:30 PM
Dance to Latin beats with Apna Zumba for 30 minutes. Please register on Eventbrite.

 

Film: DEAR GEORGINA

Wed., April 28 from 4:00-5:00 PM

Passamaquoddy elder journeys into an unclear past to better understand herself and her cultural heritage. Join Penobscot Nation Tribal Ambassador Maulian Dana and filmmaker and Upstander Project director Adam Mazo for a Q&A after the film moderated by Portland Press Herald Arts Reporter Bob Keyes. Learn more about the film and watch the trailer at upstanderproject.org. Please register at EventBrite.

 

Chair Yoga

Thursday, April 29 from 9:30-10:30 AM

Please register in advance by contacting Ellyn at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org

 

Tai Chi

Friday, April 30 from 9:30-10:30 AM

Please register in advance by contacting Ellyn at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org


 

UPCOMING BOOKS:
May 5th: Troublemaker For Justice (story of B Rustin) OR Lost Prophet: The Life and Times of Bayard Rustin 2nd Edition 4:30 PM. Please see this link for full list of books that will be discussed: tinyurl.com/smcpc-bookclub


**** This library browser extension shows you which books are available for FREE for your local library! https://www.cnet.com/how-to/this-browser-extension-shows-you-which-amazon-books-are-available-free-at-your-local-library ****

 

ANNOUNCEMENT:

May is Mental Health Month. Are mental health challenges different for older people as we age?  We are involved in helping to put together a program, “Growth & Recovery in the Face of Challenges: Re-Examining Myths about Mental Health,” tentatively scheduled on Friday, May 21, 2021. Please join us…The program is free and open to the public. For more information about this event, please contact Ellyn (she/her) at Ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org

 

If you're interested participating in meditation in the interim, please consider using the Headspace APP. The Headspace APP is free for community members who live or work in San Mateo County. More information can be found here: https://www.headspace.com/san-mateo-county

 

Please contact Ellyn (She/Her) if you need support or have questions about any of the programs and events listed above at ebloomfield@peninsulafamilyservice.org

Looking forward to seeing you at this month’s events

In community, 

Ellyn Bloomfield (she/her)

Older Adult Program Coordinator

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