August 9 12:30 to 2:30“Second Tuesday”in person atMargaret Todd Senior Center!For all those who miss being together in our discussion groups, please consider coming back! We’ll do our very best to make a safe space for you. First-timers are welcome as well!
The conversation: Making Space for New Ideas & BeliefsWhat new ideas and beliefs can we embrace that could serve us? And what old ideas and beliefs can we toss that no longer lift us up? What is there about age and appearance, purpose and wisdom that has changed? And how can we support each other to more fully embrace the life we have now?
Hill Community RoomA bigger space behind main building (see map below)Margaret Todd Senior Center1560 Hill Road, Novato 94947Doors open 12:30for casual visiting.Discussion 1 to 2:30 pmProof of vaccination required.Let’s keep our masks on when not speaking to the group.Some people may not be open to hugging;smiles, air hugs orelbow bumps may be preferable.Be sensitive to each other as you approach, and declare your safety zone.Doors and windows will be open for safety. We’ll be spread out through the large room and use a new speaker system so we can all hear each other.If you would like to get a ride or share a ride to the event, please let me know:bblackburn@thespahrcenter.orgThe arrow points to our meeting room behind the main building:
Join the Spahr Center forKings, Queens, and Vaccines: LGBTQ+ Community Picnic and COVID Vaccine ClinicAugust 21 11 am to 3 pmStafford Lake Park in NovatoThis is a family-friendly event open to all — an opportunity for our community to get together and celebrate each other! Be sure to bring your own picnic and blanket or chairs to sit on.Sonoma County singer-songwriter Bobby Jo Valentine will be performing two sets during the event. We will also have Drag Storytime (sponsored by the San Rafael Library!) at 12pm with the San Rafael Library and drag performances throughout the afternoon.
MONKEYPOXThere is a cluster of Monkeypox, increasingly called Mpox, in San Francisco’s gay community and therefore close by us here in Marin. To learn more about it, including symptoms and prevention, click here. If you want to speak with someone at The Spahr Center about monkeypox (or HIV prevention), reach out to Romario, our HIV prevention navigator, at rconrado@thespahrcenter.org.
UPCOMING EVENTS(more info below) August 9 Second Tuesdayat Mgt. Todd Senior Center 12:30 to 2:30 / watch for details August 10: LGBTQ Monthly Mixer at San Rafael Joe’s **from 4th Street entranceAugust 16Games Day at Sam’s Place, Novato August 17: Aging Gayfully Class Begins **free on zoom with Buz HermesAugust 18Breakfast Club At Sam’s Place, Novato August 21: LGBTQ Community Picnic ** Stafford Lake Park, Novato August 26Men’s Brown Bag Lunch at The Spahr Centersemi- (ramp & elevator but door not automatic)August 30Women’s Coffee at Sam’s Place, Novato *September 10″OUT” at the Lake *noon to 3 pm at Stafford Lake Park, Novato *Social Committee event, RSVP required;to RSVP or get on their email list, write to them atsocialcommittee@comcast.net;find a link to their calendar and flyers below** See flyer below
To join the Spahr Senior Groupon ZoomMondays, 7 to 8 pm, &Thursdays, 12:30 to 2 pm,click the purple button below the Butterfly Heart or here:
New participants are warmly welcomed!If you’re zoom-challenged, let me know and I’ll work with you!
Topical Thursdays12:30 to 2 pmAugust 11Topic to be chosen by group…Living Room Mondays7 to 8 pmWe share with each other about how we’re doing and have unstructured conversations focused on listening from our hearts and deepening community.
Aging GayfullyOur beloved Buz Hermes is back to deliver another series of classes that cover a wide range of subjects to provide support, information and community as we age to our best potential. Many of our community members in Marin have taken Buz’s classes and loved them. The classes are on zoom and free to all Californians. To learn more, click here.To register or for more information, please contact Buz directly at ghermes@santarosa.edu or 707/227-6935. Here’s his flyer for the series:
Coronavirus UpdatesThe Spahr Center has coronavirus rapid home test kits& masks and they are available for free in the office – 150 Nellen Avenue, Suite 100, Corte Madera 94925; 415/457-2487. The office is open 10 am – 3 pm weekdays. Only vaccinated people may come to the office and masks must be worn inside the building. Any staff person can direct you to the kits. This is a great resource we are pleased to offer, please don’t hesitate to get these kits! You can also order free at-home covid tests from the USPS by filling in the form here. In order to keep track of new infections, the County asks that we report self-test resultshere. To see Marin County’s latest pandemic information, click here. The mask recommendations of the Mask Nerd– an aerosol scientist who studies mask effectiveness – are featured in this article and highly informative video. May we all be safe and well!
Community Notices
Social Security Opens to Survivors of Same-Sex Couples Who Could Not MarryThe Social Security Administration now allows lesbians and gay men to receive survivor’s benefits if we can show that we were in a committed relationship and would have married had that been possible. More information here.
The Spahr Center’s Food Pantryis 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.
The Social Committee has been consistently offering fun events to offset the boredom of the pandemic. Everyone born in any month will be celebrated in that month’s email – including yourbirthday if you’ll let them know when it rolls around!Their Games Day takes place on August 16, their Breakfast Club on August 18, and Women’s Coffee on August 30 – all at Sam’s Place in Novato. Please RSVP ahead of time as participation is limited to 20 people.They request that participants please be vaccinated and healthy. Also, save the date: September 10, noon to 3 pm! The Social Committee continues their tradition of hosting fun LGBT+ senior events in the great outdoors, this time at Stafford Lake Park in Novato. Flyer coming soon…See their August calendar & flyers, click here.To sign up for their emails or register for events, clickhere.
Phyllis Lyon & Dell Martin Harry Hay & John BurnsideLesbian and Gay Rights Pioneers
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. The Jackson Cafe has great specials, a roomy dining room, small tables and big round tables for groups. Open 11:30 to 1:45; $6 for members, $10 for guests, with takeout readily available. You can find their daily changing menu and more information 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
12:30 to 2:30 / watch for details
