Protection from Wildfire Particulate Purple Air is an air quality monitoring website that has the most accurate, localized information. It is a free service and can be accessed on your cell phone &/or your computer by clicking here: https://www2.purpleair.com. If you allow it to access your location, when you click on View the Map, it will focus on your city and provide current readings from air monitors in your locale.  The fine particulate we are experiencing from distant wildfires called PM2.5 (Particulate Matter 2.5-micron or less) is odorless yet a significant health concern – for all of us but especially for those with respiratory problems. It’s best to stay indoors with windows closed when the count is high. And if outdoors, the cloth masks we’ve been wearing for Covid are useless for the particulate in the air. For wildfire particulate, masks known as N-95s when properly fitted will protect us from harm.  N-95 masks can be purchased at hardware and paint stores. Those with a breathing valve are most comfortable to wear. However, ironically, the ones with a valve don’t meet standards for masking indoors due to Covid. N-95s without nozzles or a regular cloth Covid-protecting mask should still be worn when shopping, etc.

UPCOMING EVENTS(more info below)September 2 – Nancy Facilitates September 25 – save the date! – Spahr Pride PicnicEvery Mon. & Thu. – Spahr Senior GroupsEvery Tue. – Trans/Non-Binary Support Grp.

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: 

Join Group

New participants are warmly welcomed!If you’re zoom-challenged, let me know and I’ll work with you!

Topical Thursdays12:30 to 2 pm September 2In what ways have you changed over the decades?Nancy Flaxman Facilitates What has remained unchanged about the essence of who you are, and what has evolved over time? Has how you view the world and people changed? Has what is important to you changed? Your values? Are you slower to anger and quicker to forgive, or do you find yourself with less patience? Have you worked out ways to handle disappointments and regrets? Has your embrace of yourself as an LGBT person evolved? Have you become more open with some people and more protective of yourself with others? Or other areas of your life you can share with us…. 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 Trans/Non-Binary Support Group is offered by The Spahr Center every Tuesday, 7-8:15, for adults 18+. Contact Sam at swood@thespahrcenter.org for more information.

The Spahr Center’s Food Pantry is open to 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

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. Everyone born in September will be celebrated on the 14th at 4 pm.  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, click here. To see their calendar & flyers for September, click here.

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. They also provide 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. Click here for their website.

New: Covid-19 Risks & Symptoms Q &A Update from CA Dpt. of Public HealthYou will find answers to many of your questions here.  Protect Yourself and Your Family and FriendsThe latest advisory is here. 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.

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.

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

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 youplus more! Bill BlackburnLGBTQ Senior Program Coordinatorbblackburn@thespahrcenter.org415/450-5339