Seniors Face Housing Issues East Rec. Center
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Oakmont’s Semimonthly Newspaper www.oakmontvillage.com/news December 15, 2018 • Volume 57, Number 24 Seniors Face Housing Issues Cleanup Time nJackie Reinhardt The unaffordability of housing in Sonoma County is McBride pointed to the research of Dan Buettner one of the biggest challenges seniors face as they age, in “Blue Zone” regions where more people live to be Marrianne McBride, President/CEO of the Council of 100. She urged the audience to follow their healthy Aging told more than 100 Oakmonters attending the habits—dubbed the “Power of Nine”—which has Sunday Symposium on Dec. 2. been shown to add years to life expectancy. They “It not just the cost of housing include: move naturally such as walking; know your but whether their housing allows purpose, relieve stress, stop eating when you’re 80% them to age in place,” she said, full; eat more vegetables and less meat, drink wine noting 25% of seniors will outlive in moderation; be part of a spiritual community, their ability to drive. incorporate love into your life and stay socially active. Financial security and fear of isolation are not only major SUPPORT FOR STAYING ACTIVE concerns for seniors but also McBride observed Oakmont was especially blessed affect their longevity, McBride because of the 100-plus clubs and other volunteer said. Currently 41% of the opportunities. She also singled out the Council- McBride speaking A contractor employee cleans the reeds from a pond near the county’s 130,000 seniors are poor, run day care program at the 10th hole of the Oakmont Golf Club’s east course Nov. 25. at Symposium. West Recreation Center which (Photos by Kathy according to the Sonoma County (Photo by Maureen McGettigan) Sowers) Elder Economic Index. gives homebound seniors an opportunity to socialize. Founded in 1966 in response Three Hurt in Oakmont Crash to the Older Americans Act, the East Rec. Center Council on Aging is on a journey nStaff Report nStaff Report to show how much seniors are valued in Sonoma County, Original artwork that will be on view in the A head-on collision between a hatchback and a McBride said. The agency remodeled East Recreation Center was unveiled Dec. pickup sent three people to a hospital and closed responds to 30,000 social service Ann Benson poses 4 by the artist, Oakmont resident David Harris. Oakmont Drive for about an hour the afternoon of calls a year. Financial services, a question. The 14 paintings depict the mountains surrounding Wednesday, Nov. 28. such as daily money management Oakmont. They have been photographed for transfer The impact at 1:14 p.m. sent the silver-color Kia and trust services, are fee-based. to acoustic panels that will be part of the raised central into the yard at a home adjacent to the Oakmont Golf It assists victims of elder abuse by space in the East Rec. They were shown by Harris Club parking lot. Both vehicles had extensive front- providing low cost estate planning, at a Dec. 4 meeting of the Building Construction end damage. wills and trusts. In the area of Committee. Investigating officer John Dedman described the nutrition and health, the Council See EAST REC. on page 7 truck driver’s injuries as major. Occupants of the serves 1,000 meals a day through hatchback had minor injuries, he said. Wheels on Meals and onsite dining. Dedman said both drivers said the other vehicle It also offers depression screening had entered their lane and that they tried to avoid and intervention, crisis counseling a crash. Skid marks behind the red pickup in the A question from and sponsors Sonoma Wine Debbie Knapp. northbound lane were straight, he said. Country games for seniors. New Dues Take Effect The injured, who were taken to Santa Rosa In 2016 Sonoma County began implementing an nStaff Report Memorial Hospital, were not identified by police. age-friendly model to keep all citizens active. It involves a grassroots movement to promote better OVA dues will be $75 per member effective Jan. transportation, walkable neighborhoods, inclusive 1, 2019. events, intergenerational activities and accessory Members who use their bank’s bill pay service dwellings. need to change the monthly amount prior to Recent examples of seniors’ advocacy include Jan. 1. Members who pay by personal check identifying the difficulty someone with a walker should begin using the new amount next month. has getting across the street in time, urging the For members paying by electronic debits from Postal Service to provide chairs for seniors waiting their bank accounts, Condominium Financial in long lines after last year’s fires and addressing Management will automatically begin debiting the problems Rohnert Park seniors had paying their the new dues amount. water bills when City Hall was relocated to a second story building. For more information, go to info@ agefriendlysonomacounty.org. First responders assist injured people from their cars and “We’re going to make a change,” McBride said. investigate a Nov. 28 accident on Oakmont Drive. “We’re going to make a difference. It’s slow work, but (Photo by Marty Thompson) we’re very proud to be in Sonoma County.” Board Candidates Sought Members of the Oakmont Village Association who are interested in running for a seat on the PRSRT STD Oakmont board for the 2019 election in April are U.S. POSTAGE encouraged to pick up an application at the OVA PAID office. SANTA ROSA, CA PERMIT NO. 323 Eligible candidates must be a member in good standing. A nominating committee is to deliver a list of candidates to the board no later than Feb. 1, 2019. Please contact the OVA office at 539-1611 for more information. 2 The Oakmont News / December 15, 2018 Feel safe and secure with the quality of in-home care Some of our services: that Sequoia Senior Solutions is known for. n Caring Companionship n Meal Planning and Preparation Compare us to any n Transportation and other care provider: Errands – Certified by California Association for Health n Light Housekeeping Services at Home n Medication (CAHSAH) Reminders – Accredited by the n Assistance with Better Business Bureau Bathing and with a rating of A+ Grooming – Eight time winner of the North Bay Business Journal “Best Place to Work Award” Serving Oakmont residents Owners, for over 12 years! Gabriella Ambrosi, CEO and Stanton Lawson, CFO 6572 Oakmont Drive, Suite E, Santa Rosa, CA 95409 Providing specialized care in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Diabetes, Arthritis and Hospice www.SequoiaSeniorSolutions.com | | Call us today for a free assessment at (707) 539-0500 ur sincerest thanks and warmest wishes to all of you who have shown your friendship and support throughout the years. We wish you a joyous holiday season with good health and happiness in 2019. O The Professional Team 707-539-1530 Vanessa Nancy Debbie That Delivers [email protected] CalBRE #01976215 CalBRE #00771931 CalBRE #01893275 —Team Devoto Nancy,Vanessa & Debbie The Oakmont News / December 15, 2018 3 President’s Message Regular Oakmont Association Committee Meetings nSteve Spanier, OVA Board President nOVA Administration The listed Oakmont Village Association meetings are open sessions. VOLUNTEERISM: Any interested Oakmont residents are invited and encouraged to participate in these important meetings. THE SOUL OF OAKMONT MEETINGS DATE TIME PLACE* Recently, I had the honor and Architectural (No participation) / [email protected] 2nd Tues. Monthly 1:30 PM Conf. Rm. pleasure of attending an event in Oakmont Village Association (OVA) Board 1st & 3rd Tues. Monthly 1–3 PM Berger Center the Berger Center celebrating the remarkable contributions of our COMMITTEES DATE TIME PLACE* veterans and first responders. It was Communications (CC) / [email protected] 4th Wed. Monthly 10 AM Conf. Rm. truly inspiring to see in one place so Community Development (OCDC) / [email protected] 2nd Thurs. Monthly 11:15 AM Rm. B many people who have served our country and its Community Education and Transparency Committee (CETC) 2nd Thurs. Monthly 10 AM Mgrs. Conf. Rm. communities. Finance (FC) / [email protected] The Thursday before the I was particularly impressed by the talk given Regular Board meeting 2–3:30 PM Rm. B by Santa Rosa City Council member Jack Tibbetts. Long-Range Planning Committee (LRPC) 1st & 3rd Mon. Monthly 1 PM Conf. Rm. Although still only in his twenties, and despite the Landscape Improvement Committee (LIC) 2nd Tues. Monthly 10 AM–12 Noon Mgrs. Conf. Rm. fact that he is already an accomplished off-the- League of Maintained Area Associations (LOMAA) cuff speaker with an extremely busy schedule, Jack Regular Meetings 1st Mon. Monthly 12 Noon Rm. B took the time to prepare remarks because he felt Quarterly Meetings 1st Wed. (March, Sept., Dec.) 7 PM West Rec. the gravity of the event demanded no less. To me, LOMAA Annual Workshop 2nd Wed. (June) 9 AM East Rec. that spoke volumes about Jack’s “old soul” and the Emergency Preparedness Committee (OEPC) reverence and respect he has for those who serve a OEPC Board 1st Thurs. Monthly 2 PM Rm. B greater purpose. OEPC Community Meeting 3rd Thurs. (Jan., May, Sept.) 2 PM Berger Center As I enjoy the blessings of this remarkable A quorum of OVA Board of Directors may be present at these meetings. LOCATIONS community we call home, I’m reminded daily that *It is sometimes necessary to change meeting locations and/or dates and Room B is in the Central Activity Center, 310 White Oak Drive. Oakmont thrives because so many of our residents times. Please check the Rec. Center bulletin boards for written notice of change Conf. Rm. is in the OVA Office, 6637 Oakmont Dr., Ste. A volunteer.