A Thanksgiving Notluck on zoomNovember 26 12:30 to 2 pm You are warmly invited to join a Thanksgiving “Notluck” with our community of LGBT Seniors on zoom. Though our world is troubled, we still have reasons to be grateful. Let’s share gratitudes while we have our meal. Other communities have been sharing meals on zoom and this is a perfect day for us to be together. What’s a Notluck? A Notluck is like a Potluck except you prepare your own meal, exactly as you want it, so there’s no luck needed. Then, you can eat safely in your own home while zooming with your chosen family. The times are tight for many of us. The Spahr Center is happy to deliver the fixings for a Thanksgiving meal if you let us know you would like them. Please contact us at: info@thespahrcenter.org or call 415/457.2487.

To join the Spahr Senior Groupon Thursday, 12:30 to 2 pm,click the purple button below the Butterfly Heart. New participants are warmly welcomed!

Topical Thursdays12:30 to 2 pmNovember 5 There’s likely no topic that could keep us from talking about the election.We could choose a different topic – favorite films or beloved pets, for instance – but no matter, what we’ll most likely need to talk about is the election and whatever is swirling around us.  November 12 The HolidaysNancy Flaxman facilitates!  We have talked in the past about the many ways in which LGBT people have often been on the outside in celebrating holidays that involve family and religion. Yet many of you have created your own traditions and your own families of choice. A hike, a movie, dinner out with a friend…. Now even those may not be available because of Covid. Let’s talk about your thoughts, feelings, and ways to stay connected with the essence of what is important to you. Check-in Mondays7 to 8 pm We catch up with each other on how we’re doing and have unstructured conversations focused on listening.

The Social Committee has been consistently offering fun events to offset the isolation of the pandemic. They want to celebrate your November birthday if you’ll let them know, and they offer a women’s coffee plus a number of times to gather over games and conversation. To see their flyer, click here.

Roster of Spahr Seniors FormingRecently, some of our seniors have been asking that we create a roster of contact information – email &/or phone number – so people can get in touch with each other outside the groups. We’re happy to do so and to distribute it among those who want to be on it. Let us know if you would like to be part of it and what information you would like shared. And in the meantime, we can always forward your contact information to someone else you would like to connect with to allow them to get in touch with you.

The Spahr Center honors the Transgender Day of Remembrance Friday November 20th5 to 6:30 pmYou are invited to a Zoom event for Transgender Day of Remembrance.  You have to register in advance for this event by clicking: Register Here After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Also in this email (below):Spahr has skilled therapists ready to work with seniors on a sliding-scale basis.Rental Assistance available.Nutrition ResourcesBisexual Support zoom group forming through The Spahr Center.

Building Community in the Midst of Sheltering-in-PlaceSee old friends and make new ones! Join us! The Spahr Center’s LGBT Senior Discussion Groupscontinue every Thursday, 12:30 to 2 pm on Zoom

To Join Group by Video using Computer, Smart Phone or TabletJust click this button at the start time, 12:25 pm:Join GroupTry it, it’s easy!

To Join Group by Phone CallIf you don’t have internet connections or prefer joining by phone,call the following number at the start time, 12:25 pm:1-669-900-6833The Meeting id is 820 7368 6606#(no participant id required)The password, if requested, is 135296# If you want the meeting to call you to bring you into the group, notify Bill Blackburn 415/450-5339

Spahr’s skilled therapists are available to work with seniors on a sliding-scale basis. Write toinfo@thespahrcenter.org.  A Bisexual Support Group is forming with The Spahr Center, facilitated by a therapist. Let Bill Blackburn know if you are interested. Whistlestop, recently renamed Vivalon, provides access to resources including rides for older adults. Please note: there is a 3-week registration process for the ride program so register now if you think you may need rides in the future. They also offer free classes on zoom including zumba, yoga, chair exercises, & ukulele! Click here. Adult and Aging Service’s Information and Assistance Line, providing information and referrals to the full range of services available to older adults, adults with disabilities and their family caregivers, has a new phone number and email address: 415/473-INFO (4636) 8:30 am to 4:30 pm weekdays473INFO@marincounty.org

The Spahr Center is opening its Food Pantry to seniors who need support in meeting their nutrition needs. Items such as fresh meats, eggs and dairy, prepared meals, pasta, sauces, and canned goods are delivered weekly to people who sign up. Contact The Spahr Center for more information: info@thespahrcenter.org or 415/457.2487

Trouble paying rent? Check out these short videos from Marin County:1. Marin County Eviction Ban2. If you can’t pay your rent3. Paying the rent that you owe4.Help is available Marin Center for Independent Living is offering various kinds of support to people with disabilities as well as older adults to prepare them for possible Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS).Click here: MarinCIL Has your employment or business been impacted by COVID-19? Check out these local resources…click here: WorkForce Alliance Snap Back Assistance, up to $800 for COVID-19 affected workers:Call: 415/473-3300  Free Covid-19 Testing  Questions? Assistance?  We have resources and volunteers for:grocery deliveryfood assistancehelp with technology issues such as using zoomproviding weekly comfort calls to check in on youtherapy with Spahr therapists on a sliding scale basisplus more! Bill Blackburn, Senior Program Coordinatorbblackburn@thespahrcenter.org415/450-5339