2019-12 December

President … Ken Schieck

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I wish all of you Happy Holidays: Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Kwanzaa, and Seasons Greetings (hopefully, I didn’t forget a greeting).  Let’s do what we can this holiday season to assist those who are less fortunate than ourselves with our prayers and material offerings which should also be given after the holiday season.

Look for more information from Angie on a late winter food drive at the next general meeting.  Don’t forget to purchase your tickets for the winter lunch next month on January 21 at Mama Mia’s.

In order to provide the public with information about our local chapter, I am planning to speak on local radio and TV; if you would like to share a spot with me on either venue, please let me know.

At our December 17 general meeting, we will be honored with Liz Gibbons, a chapter member, administering the oath of office to our Board and Committee members for 2020.  I want to again thank the chapter members who volunteered to take on assignments for the first time:

Paul Levine-Vice-President, Helen Soukolis-Treasurer, and Nancy Tepperman-Asst.Treasurer

I know some of you won a subscription to the CAMPBELL EXPRESS during recent opportunity drawings, and you have not received it.  Please know that I am trying to take care of this.  My phone call and email have not been answered, so I will make a personal visit.

Program … Paul Levine

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We will be entertained by the Harpers Hall Ensemble.  Harpers Hall makes its home in the San Francisco South Bay Area and Central California Coast. 

Their purpose is to promote an appreciation of the folk harp, to cultivate its living musical tradition, and to preserve the fun and magic of the harp for members and for the general public.  Members range from beginning harp players to professional musicians.  They hold monthly gatherings at members’ homes or other locations during which they conduct mini-workshops, practice repertoire, share music with each other, and snack on treats that they bring to share.  In addition, they perform for festivals, host workshops and house concerts featuring traveling harpists, and hold annual harp retreats. 

They played for us last December: a performance that was greatly enjoyed by all.

Legislative News … Daniel Nnorth and Claudia Schott

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This month, we are asked to place comments on the weengAGE portal for the Master Plan for Aging.  We can insert comments and receive updates through the link below.  We can also share the link with our networks.  Please, if you have time, complete and share the Master Plan on Aging Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MPAPledge

Congress is at recess, as is the State Legislature and we won’t hear from either until after the new year.  In the meantime here are just a few tidbits:  The following bills were introduced just after Congress returned from their previous break and were written to enhance the Older Americans Act of 1965.  Although AARP has not had a chance to weigh in on these, they would be interesting to follow.

Representative David Trone (D-MD) introduced H.R. 4859, Protecting Older Americans From Social Isolation Act of 2019 on 10/24/2019, which, when passed, will set up an advisory committee to determine and develop objectives, priorities, and a long-term plan for supporting State and local efforts involving education about, prevention of, detection of, and response to negative health effects associated with social isolation among older individuals.

Representative Charlie Crist (D-FL) introduced H.R. 4827, the Building Age-Friendly Communities Act on 10/23/2019. This would support the ability of older individuals to age in place, including through the provision of homelessness prevention services, support the ability of older individuals to access preventive health care, promote age-friendly communities, and address the ability of older individuals to access long-term care support, including access to caregivers and home- and community-based services.

Back in September Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) introduced H.R. 4334, the Dignity in Aging Act of 2019, a very lengthy and thorough bill, that establishes, reauthorizes, and revises several programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Labor relating to care for the elderly.

Among other things, the bill reauthorizes through FY2024, and revises, programs that support:

  • caregivers of the elderly; community and workforce training regarding elder care;
  • informational services, such as pension counseling;
  • nutritional services, such as meal delivery;
  • disease prevention and health promotion services; and abuse and neglect prevention services.

The bill also establishes several entities and programs to further support elder care, including initiatives that aim to promote independent living and reduce social isolation for the elderly.  This bill passed the House on October 30. Now it’s in the Senate…..after the winter break! 

                                                                           Happy Holidays, everyone!

Social … Paddy Wray

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SAVE THE DATE:  TUESDAY, JAN. 21, 2020, FOR THE AARP ANNUAL LUNCHEON AT MAMA MIA’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT

The $27.00 price will include one of 4 entrees, salad, beverage, and dessert:

Entree #1 Lasagna baked in a meat sauce, served with zucchini

Entree #2 Garlic chicken served with pasta and zucchini 

Entree #3 Fettuccine prawns Alfredo in cream sauce

Entree #4 Vegetarian selection — penne primavera in red sauce tossed with zucchini, carrots, broccoli, and mushrooms in a marinara sauce.

The “Social Committee” will accept checks or cash AND your FIRMmenu selection at the December meeting or send check by mail to Social, 1348 LOYOLA DRIVE SANTA CLARA 95051.  Please write your FIRM menu selection on the bottom of the check, which should be made out to AARP Chapter 5151.

Absolutely NO refunds possible after January 5th.

Membership … Shelly Schwartz

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The year 2020 is almost upon us.  Only a few more weeks and it’ll be here.  Did you know that our membership dues run from January 1 through December 31, which means that your membership fees are due.  Sorry, I wasn’t at the November meeting, but am sure to be there on December 17 at which time I’ll be accepting cash or checks for next year.  You can also send me your check by regular mail.

Please remember to include the Membership Application with your payment.

Community Service … Leona Fails

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Merry Christmas to all our AARP members.  We have an opportunity to make it a better holiday for many children.  Sacred Heart is collecting toys and books for about 6,000 kids.  We can help them meet this goal by bringing new unwrapped toys and books to our December meeting.  Sacred Heart is also collecting new and used sleeping bags for adults that really need them.  Donations are always welcome.