PLEASE JOIN US: SATURDAY, JUNE 26 @ NOON NOVATO CITY HALL, 901 SHERMAN AVENUE TO CELEBRATE RAISING THE LGBTQ+ PRIDE FLAGBY CITIES AND TOWNS THROUGHOUT MARIN &TO HEAR ABOUT THE LGBTQ+ AGENDA FOR MARIN COUNTYMasks and social distancing will apply.
This event is in lieu of our annual Pride Picnic, which we hope to reschedule for September.
Marin County Library has a stellar array of Pride celebration events this month: LGBTQ films to borrow, a history presentation and more. They are also featuring an enormous array of books – fiction, non-fiction, poetry, memoir and more – on our various identities and expressions.Check it out here. Novato is planning a monthlong celebration of Pride!See more here.
This is the new Progress Pride Flag:
The Progress Pride Flag isn’t meant to necessarily replace the well-known 6-stripe Pride Flag. However, it does carry additional meaning. The flag includes black and brown stripes to represent marginalized LGBTQ+ communities of color, along with the colors pink, light blue and white, which are used on the Transgender Pride Flag.
UPCOMING EVENTS(more info below)June 10 – Our Emotional Well Being:Nancy Flaxman facilitatesJune 15 – Games Day at Sam’s*June 17 – Breakfast Club at Sam’s*June 19 – Buz’s Aging Gayfully Intro Course beginsJune 26 – Pride Rally at Novato City HallJune 29 – Women’s Coffee at Sam’s*July 8 – 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s, etc.Every Mon. & Thu. – Spahr Senior GroupsEvery Tue. – Trans/Non-Binary Support Group * Social Committee Event
To join the Spahr Senior GroupMondays, 7 to 8 pm, &Thursdays, 12:30 t0 2 pm,click the purple button below the Butterfly Heart or here:
Topical Thursdays12:30 to 2 pm June 10Our Emotional Well BeingNancy Flaxman FacilitatesFor most of our lives to be LGBT was considered a mental illness. Even when in 1973, “homosexuality” was removed from the American Psychiatric Association’s official guide to the diagnosis of mental disorders, that decision was considered controversial. Some today would still like to believe there is something wrong with who we are. In fact, the only connection between sexual orientation/gender identity and mental health is the impact of society’s homophobia, transphobia, heterosexism, discrimination, violence, and more. Nancy will talk briefly about this, and we will all discuss creating optimal emotional well being for ourselves and our community.
Conversational Mondays7 to 8 pm We catch up with each other on how we’re doing and have unstructured conversations focused on listening from our hearts and deepening community.
A note from NancyI feel very grateful to turn 75 years old this year, as in 3/4 of a century! I have been privileged to work with and on behalf of LGBT seniors for over 30 years. Our very amazing Spahr/Margaret Todd discussion group has been meeting since 2014, beginning at the Novato Human Needs Center. By the end of this year I plan to transition from being on the staff of the Spahr Center to occasionally consulting with Dana and Bill as needed. My decision is not only because I want to step back while I am still at a high point in my career, but I also feel strongly that for LGBT outreach and services to thrive long term, it is essential that we bring in new professional staff committed to and knowledgeable in LGBT aging issues, programs, and cultural competency. Thank you so much for the support you have given me for many years. Though my role will change at the end of the year, I remain a part of and committed to our LGBT senior community in Marin. My appreciation and deep affection, NancyNancy Flaxman, MSWSpahr Senior Program Advisor
Congratulations Dana! I’m pleased to announce that Dana Van Gorder, Executive Director of The Spahr Center, has been awarded theNorth Bay Business Journal Pride Leadership Award. The enormous energy, dedication, compassion and funding that Dana has brought to our agency in the past couple years have made a huge difference to the lives of many of us LGBTQ+ people of Marin. It is incredibly well deserved!
The Social Committee has been consistently offering fun events to offset the boredom of the pandemic. They want to celebrate your birthday if you’ll let them know when it is. They offer a women’s coffee plus a number of times to gather – now in person at Sam’s Place in Novato! – over games and conversation. People wishing to attend still must register in advance due to room occupancy limits. To sign up for their emails or register for events, clickhere. You can check out their June calendarhere.
Marin County Rental Assistance ProgramLow-income Marin County residents and landlords can apply to receive 80% of unpaid back rent incurred during the pandemic. An online application process is available: here. For more information, phone 415/473- 2223 or email RentalAssistance@MarinCounty.org. Emergency Broadband Benefit is Now AvailableThe Federal Communications Commission launched a temporary program to help individuals or households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Emergency Broadband Benefit provides a discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers. You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility, by calling 833/511-0311 or by visiting https://www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit.
Buz Hermes brings his informative, community-building Aging Gayfully Class to your computer or phone.Saturdays 11 am to 1 pm. Free! See flyer below for more details.
Vivalon* Resources for Seniors Whistlestop, now renamed Vivalon, offers many resources for us seniors, now listed in this easy-to-print one-page guide. Access to rides, food, classes, activities, resources, referrals, and more. Membership not required for most classes and services during the pandemic. Some in-person events are being planned. To get Vivalon’s listings, click here.
Covid-19 News for Seniors We are not out of the pandemic yet, much is still uncertain, and yet all the seniors I’m in touch with are now vaccinated and seem to be educated about continued precautions. For more on continued precautions, click here. May we all be safe & well! Bill Blackburn BEWARE POST-VACCINATION SCAMS!Scams offering monetary and gift rewards for those taking post-vaccination surveys are efforts to fraudulently gather personal information such as credit card numbers. Moderna, Pfizer, and J&J are NOT sending out these offers. Avoid them!
FEMA Assistance Programs Related To Covid-19:FEMA will provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. (No income- or citizenship-related requirements.) Call 844/684-6333. More info here. Free legal assistance to low-income people affected by the pandemic includes help with hospital bills, estate administration, problems with landlords, and much more. Call 888/382-3406. More info here.
Do you know people who may need help making an appointment for vaccines, especially if they are not online or need multi-lingual or transportation help? Please let them know of this resource:Marin Access Services Call Center1 (833) 641-1988CA Relay use 711
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 everyMonday, 7 to 8 pm& 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, 6:55 pm Mondays / 12:25 pm Thursdays:Join GroupAlways the same link! Try 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,6:55 pm Mondays / 12:25 pm Thursdays:1-669-900-6833The Meeting id is 820 7368 6606#(no participant id required)The password, if requested, is 135296# If you want to be called into the group by phone, notify Bill Blackburn at 415/450-5339
California Department of Aging ResourcesThe CDA has a website that is packed with information and resources relevant to the lives of seniors in our state. From Covid-19 updates to more general care for age-related health issues, access to legal assistance to getting home-delivered meals to help with housing, you may well find answers to your questions by clicking: here.
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, 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 has opened its Food Pantryto seniors who need support in meeting their nutrition needs. We want to help! 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
