Martha Castillo Clayprints in Little House Galleries

From July 18^th through the end of August, Peninsula Volunteers Little House Galleries will be pleased to be showing the clay prints of Martha Castillo. Come visit and view these unique works of art.

Martha Castillo’s life reflects many facets of the arts. Starting with classical ballet as a young girl, she later discovered a passion for theatre, along with ceramics, collage, and the visual arts. She holds a BFA in theatre arts, and a Master's degree in Art Therapy.

In the mid 70’s, Martha embarked on an exploration of ceramics as a sculpture medium, and continued her studies in England where she lived for seven years. In 1993, Martha returned to California. She focused for a time on collage and mixed media, and continued her studies of various other art techniques. During an investigation into fine art printmaking, she was introduced to Mitch Lyons* and his innovative new technique, clay monoprint, or “clayprinting”. Now working almost exclusively in this medium, she sets some time aside for teaching.

In addition to gallery representation, Martha shows in alternative spaces, including her own studio. Martha’s paintings have been compared to Richard Diebenkorn, and Hans Hoffman, among others.

For a visual demonstration of how she creates her prints, go to Martha’s website: http://www.marthacastillo.net/workshop-demo/

Patch Story about Little House Wood Shop Instructor

Our own Richard Springer is a star! Not only is he a great teacher and master craftsman, but now he's getting some local press. If you've ever longed to know how satisfying working with your hands can be, now's the time to sign up for a class with him. Call Little House today.

Patch.com Feature About Rich Springer

We'll Always Have Paris - Photography Show

Little House Galleries is pleased to host a colorful photography show, "We'll Always Have Paris" by F. Wainwright.


If you've always hungered to have tea with Gertrude Stein, drinks with Hemingway and Fitzgerald, have your portrait painted by Matisse, sip an absinthe while Eric Satie tickles the ivories for you, dance to Django Reinhardt's "gypsy jazz" - well, then this show may spark some more daydreaming!

No, we can't pay for your plane fare. So do come and visit the show and dream of walks along the quais of the Seine.....

New Director of Development at Peninsula Volunteers

Pennie L. Lundberg has recently been named as the Director of Development for Peninsula Volunteers, Inc. in Menlo Park, Ca. 

Pennie is a 10-year veteran of the nonprofit sector, having served as a fundraising executive with Community Gatepath in Burlingame, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and The ALS Association Golden West Chapter.  Prior to that Pennie held various sales and management positions with six college and professional sports teams.

Pennie’s primary responsibility will be offering support, structure and implementation of fundraising initiatives to the PVI organization.

 “I couldn’t be more delighted to be associated with such a distinguished organization – the Peninsula Volunteers members, Staff and Clientele.  I can’t wait to get started!”

To reach Pennie, email: plundberg@peninsulavolunteers.org or call: (650) 326-0665, ext. 231.

Rosener House Unaffected by State Budget Cuts

Rosener House Continues at Full Strength 

Peninsula Volunteers Reassures Community Over State Cuts

July 6, 2011 [Menlo Park, CA]  Peninsula Volunteers, Inc., today assured the Mid-Peninsula community  that its Rosener House services to aging residents and their caregivers are totally unaffected by the State of California’s plan to eliminate the Medi-Cal coverage of Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) services. 

Peninsula Volunteers, which sponsors Little House, the Roslyn G. Morris Activity Center, Meals on Wheels, and Rosener House Adult Day Services, is a private non-profit organization, and is not a Medi-Cal provider.  On July 1, the Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the planned elimination of federal participation for Medicaid covered services to ADHC, licensed in California by the Dept. of Health Care Services, to be effective Sept. 1, 2011. 

“Since the CMS announcement, we have received many calls expressing concern over the continuation of the Rosener House program. We want to assure the community that our 64-year-old mission to provide quality services and care for aging residents of the area is unaffected and, if anything, may grow in light of the state budget cuts to the point of our needing to establish a waiting list.  Peninsula Volunteers Rosener House Adult Day Services is licensed by the California Dept. of Social Services and is excluded from this decision,” said Bart Charlow, Executive Director of Peninsula Volunteers.

Rosener House has provided services to older adults in need of a structured, therapeutic activity program in a secure, state of the art center in residential Menlo Park for over 30 years.  A staff of 16, ranging from Registered Nurse to many Activity Leaders serves 45-50 participants each week day, who are transported by family caregivers or paratransit and pay on a sliding scale according to income.  Participants are involved in a wide variety of activities to suit their needs and capabilities including music, art, exercise, reminiscing groups, and current events.  Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy are available. Also available are a specialized Dementia Services Program designed to support and maintain capabilities, and an Early Memory Loss Wellness program for independent adults concerned with memory loss.

For more information about Rosener House, see www.peninsulavolunteers.org/rosener house, or call 650-322-0126.

July is HOT at Little House!

Hey, we're air conditioned! What are you doing sitting at home and sweltering?

Here's the lineup of great things happening in July at Peninsula Volunteers Little House (details below):

• BBQ Thursdays - delicious smoky and hot every Thursday at Little House Cafe starting July 7.
• Boot Camp: - LOSE WEIGHT & FEEL GREAT starting July 12 - Sept. 29.
• Ceramics Class: July 7 - 28.
• Live Band at Thursday Night Dance: July 21 Live Music “Jerry Jay Trio”.
• Arthritis Exercise Class: July 6 - 29.
• New artist in the Gallery: Martha Castillo of Clayprint Studios July 17.
• Don't forget the Independence Day Celebration all day on July 6th (no reservations required).
• Early morning hours Monday through Thursday, opening 8 AM.
• The Best COFFEE in the Bay Area: Daily from 8 AM to 3 PM in the Cafe.

NEW CLASS at LITTLE HOUSE – BOOT CAMP

Do you want to get fit, stay fit, and make friends along the way? Our new boot camp classes offer a new way to get into the best shape of your life, and have fun while doing it!

BOOT CAMP FITNESS BENEFITS:

Quick and Lasting Weight Loss!                          A Tone, Fit and Firm Body!

Shed Pounds of Body Fat!                                  Flatten Your Abs!

Increase Your Energy!                                        Incredible Self-Confidence!

Improved Strength & Posture!                              Better Relaxation & Peace of Mind!

All boot camp classes are taught by Certified Personal Trainer and Powerhouse Gym Director of Fitness, Brett Cesarin.

All ages and all level welcome!

Date:                12 weeks, begins July 12, 2011 and ends September 29, 2011

Time:                Tuesdays or Thursdays, 8:00 – 8:50 AM or 9:00 – 9:50 AM

Location:           Little House, The Roslyn G. Morris Activity Center

Cost:                $180.00 – just $15.00 per class!

Info:                  Julie Scales, (650) 326-2025 ext. 231

CERAMICS FOR FUN

July 7 – 28, 2011

Monday, 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM

$75 per month

“Session fee includes, one class and one lab”

Open Lab

Thursday, 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM

An additional open lab can be added for $25 per month

Our instructor, Margie Starr Calabretta, has been working with clay for over 40 years. She has taught classes up and down the Peninsula and is well known within the community. 

Please call Little House at (650) 326-2025 for more information on this incredible opportunity to use your hands and bring the images in your mind to life.

Registration is required.

PENINSULA VOLUNTEERS LITTLE HOUSE and the ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA bring you

ARTHRITIS EXERCISE CLASSES - JOINTS IN MOTION

Are you ready to start moving more? Does arthritis pain keep you from living the life you desire? Come to Little House and join our “Joints in Motion” class.

Doctors and therapists agree that moderate physical activity can improve your health without hurting your joints.

Wednesdays & Fridays, 9:45 to 10:45 AM

Next session begins 7/6/11 and ends 7/29/11

Location:           Little House, The Roslyn G. Morris Activity Center

Cost:                $60.00 members/$64.00 non-members
For more information, call (650) 326-2025 ext. 231.

The unmistakable aroma of fresh brewed coffee brings back fond memories of casual mornings, good talks, and great friends.

Come join us at Peninsula Volunteers Little House and start your day off right with a fresh cup of coffee brewed in our own Little House Café.

Our coffee is roasted by Main Street Coffee Company in Redwood City — the best coffee in the Bay Area!

Each cup only costs $1.00. Service is from 8 AM to 3 PM Mon. - Fri.

Enjoy a taste of the good life. Come sit in our café around bistro tables, out in our sun drenched courtyard, or on our new park patio and hang out. Share your stories with the friends you have made here at Little House.

What are you waiting for????? Get in here!

Looking Good at Crane Place - The Eyes Have It!

Volunteer Brings Her Bright Outlook To Crane Place

Deirdre MacMahon, Optician, A.B.O., N.C.L.E., brings her enthusiasm, 35 + years of experience and tools of the trade to Crane Place. She cleaned and fitted glasses, while answering residents’ questions about eyewear. Deirdre is excited to share the latest ways to see your best and keep a bright outlook on life!

We're excited to have Deirdre and volunteers just like her at all our Peninsula Volunteers programs. Thanks to all of them!

Horsin’ Around – Great Fun, Great People, No Kidding!

Peninsula Volunteers, Inc., has been known throughout the years for its extraordinary Gala events. This year is no exception!

Horsin' Around - a Western Bonanza was held at the National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy on Runnymede Road in Woodside on Saturday, May 21, 2011.


Kimber Sturm of San Carlos and Terri Carville of Los Altos were the Chairs of this hoedown, beginning at 4:00 p.m. with "thirstquenchers" and "trailtizers", including Don Pilar’s famed tequila. (“Don Pilar” owns Amigos Grill in Portola Valley.)


Horse drawn carriage rides and a parade of miniature farm animals, all dressed for the occasion by Riley’s Place, led the list of attractions.  


A fun-filled evening followed with music by the Dick Green Band, gaming by Full House Casino Events, performances by the San Mateo County Horsemen's Association Senior Color Guard, the Pacific Coast Vaulting Club. Cheryle Bacon, "The Cowgirl”, whipped ‘em up (yes, she uses a bullwhip), shot ‘em up (yes, she uses six-shooters and a shotgun), and roped ‘em up (you get the picture.)  

A “Clint Eastwood look-alike” made the rounds for pictures. You can’t guess how many people fed him a line to which he would reply, “Make my day!”

And speaking of pictures, the line was long and laughing for the famous “Texas Butt Sketcher”, Krandel Lee Newton, flown in just for the event. The Butt Sketcher has captured the likes (or the butts) of Warren Buffet and Bill Gates.


"People loved it. They came decked out in their Western best and had a boot-kicking good time," Kimber Sturm said.


Event proceeds support Peninsula Volunteers programs for seniors -- Meals on Wheels; Little House, the Roslyn G. Morris Activity Center; Rosener House Adult Day Services; and Peninsula Volunteers Properties (affordable senior housing at Crane Place and Partridge/Kennedy Apartments in Menlo Park).

“Sheriffs” Jean and Brian Cole were part of the Community Volunteer Posse who volunteered at a Western Bonanza benefit for Peninsula Volunteer, Inc. The event was held at the National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy in Woodside and included a Clint Eastwood look-alike, horse riding performers, BBQ, line dancing, cowboy games, auction, and buying goodies at the country store.  When not Horsin’ Around, Jean also volunteers at the Little House front desk.

Too Late - CARS 2 Premier Sold Out!

Peninsula Volunteers and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society are jointly going to be the beneficiaries of an exclusive Bay Area premier of the upcoming movie, CARS 2.

Advance Release Private Screening 

CARS 2 in 3D

Advance Release Private Screening and Wine Reception

See it before the general opening on June 24 in a state-of-the-art theater

Sunday, June 12 at the Dolby Theater in San Francisco

100 Potrero Ave

(between 15th St & Alameda St)

San Francisco, CA 94103

2:00 wine reception followed by the 3D screening at 3:00

Only 50 tickets will be available for a donation of $200 each

Donations will benefit equally Peninsula Volunteers Meals on Wheels and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training.

Sorry, but we are now sold out! Thanks.

Artist & Author Dr. Eric Shapira - Reception

Some of you may recognize Dr. Eric Shapira - artist and author - from our Vital Aging Conference last month. Eric was our keynote speaker.

His fun artwork, both paintings and sculpture, have been featured in our Little House Galleries.

We're hosting an artist reception for Dr. Shapira on Wednesday, June 15th, from 5 to 7 PM.  Refreshments will be served, and you can be sure to be entertained by him!


Come join us.Publish Post

Gold Party at Little House - Turns Gold into Blankets

Cash for Gold

Benefits Peninsula Volunteers Meals on Wheels

JEWLERY = CASH = BLANKETS

Thursday, June 2^nd   

Thanks to all who came to make the Gold for Blankets event a smashing success!

While our target was $1700, we actually garnered over twice that. A lot of seniors in our Meals on Wheels program are going to enjoy those warm blankets this winter (and maybe this summer if we don't get some warmer weather....)

Eat your heart out, Rumpelstiltskin; PVs really know how to spin gold.

Little House Thanks Rebuilding Together, Master Gardeners & Junior League

Wow! Wait till you see what Rebuilding Together, the Master Gardeners, and the Junior League put together for Peninsula Volunteers Little House, the Roslyn G. Morris Activity Center.

Over the weekend a crew of over 40 volunteers from all 3 organizations tackled our projects. The idea was to refresh and expand the use and facilities at Little House.

The did all of the following:

• Enclosed a new patio area with gorgeous redwood planters for outdoor activities.

• Replanted the entire inner courtyard.
• Opened up the kitchen gardens and re-soiled them completely.
• Added a wheelchair accessible garden for our new adapted gardening class.
• Started what will become our Butterfly & Bird Garden adjacent to the park.
• Built a large drying shed for our ceramics program.
• Built a large table garage for our equipment.

I can't begin to tell you how much work was involved. Whole trees were uprooted, stumps ground down, compost made of of them. Enough great planting soil was added to fill a room! This was all hard labor and a lot of love went into it.

Take a look at some of the before and after pictures on Jay Chesavage's website for the project: http://www.chesavage.com/rt_2011/index.html

Peninsula Volunteers thanks Jay & Pam Chesavage for their hard work and planning. Jay volunteers with Rebuilding Together Peninsula, and Pam is a Master Gardener for Santa Clara County. Jay worked with a team organized by Amy Truel mostly from the Junior League of Palo Alto, with some help from a local carpentry contractor.

Betsy Kehoe, PV Provisional, is the planner and crew chief for our San Mateo Master Gardeners on this project. She and Leslie Parent, another Master Gardener, have been helping us organize the Little House Gardening program that is now very successful and growing (no pun intended). Our own PV Little House gardeners replanted the fountain area too. 

Our special thanks to Bohannon Foundation, who funded the materials, and to Rebuilding Together Peninsula. 

What a team!  

At Rosener House the Fun Never Stops!

Yes, Virginia, there is an Easter Bunny, and he is busy entertaining the members at Rosener House.














Can't beat the cookin' and the company!

Oh, and the golf is pretty good too....

Little House Hosts Silicon Valley Open Studios

On May 21 and 22, Little House will host a 13 artist group site during Silicon Valley Open Studios weekend. For a preview of the artists on display, try the link:  http://www.svos.org/searchSite.php

On Sunday only, May 22, there will be a fixed price luncheon available, open to visitors to the Open Studios and to our Vital Aging Conference.

Come in early for the studios and enjoy the best coffee on the Peninsula in our Little House Cafe. Doors open at 9:30 AM and close at 4 PM.

Little House galleries will also be open for free viewing.


Little House has a wide range of art and craft classes to fit every taste and budget. Check out the class schedule and our re-opened ceramics program while you're here. 

There's always more going on at Little House!

"In the Galleries" Section Launched on our Website

People have been asking us how to find out who is exhibiting in the Little House art galleries. So we've added a new section on our main Website (www.penvol.org) on the homepage toward the bottom, and a separate page entitled, "In the Galleries" (http://penvol.org/in-the-galleries.html).

Take a look each week and come by and visit. We think you're going to like this picture....

20th Annual Authors Salon was a Smash!

We laughed, we were enlightened and we were amazed.


Keith Raffel did a bang up job as Master of Ceremonies. All 5 of our authors were utterly fascinating. (You should have heard Barry Eisler on "Contingency Cannibalism".) With 250 in attendance, the Summit Center was bright and cheerfully decorated to usher in the season. A terrific lunch (no, Barry was not talking about the cuisine!) and lots of good company.

Best of all, people who had never attended our Authors Salon before were really excited. Our regulars said it was our "best ever".

Now that's a very tall order, considering that so many of our authors go on to become best-sellers and to win top awards in every genre of literature.


Start looking forward to the 21st Annual Authors Salon next year.

Our Volunteers Are a World Themselves

Visitors to Menlo Park Volunteer at Peninsula Volunteers, Inc.

Rei Fujita of Japan and Mary Hyodo McCracken of Canada connect while volunteering at Little House, The Roslyn G. Morris Activity Center. Rei, a student at Language Pacifica ESL Language School in Menlo Park, wanted to incorporate volunteer work into her schedule while studying English. Mary, a second generation Japanese Canadian, is an active volunteer at home and even when she visits friends on the Peninsula. Both women enjoyed helping out the Community Volunteer Program office while practicing their second languages.  Thank you Rei and Mary for volunteering!

Feeding Hungry Seniors Is Like Stone Soup

It does take a village, if you remember the old folk tale about "Stone Soup". It's the same at Peninsula Volunteers Meals on Wheels and our Nutrition Services overall.

"If I only had a carrot...," the soldier cried beside his cauldron of water and a stone in the village courtyard. Then one villager ventured forward cautiously with his carrot and added it to the Stone Soup. "If I only had an onion....," cried the soldier, and so forth until all the ingredients to the soup were bubbling away in the cauldron, and all the villagers were happily gathered around awaiting their soup.

We'd like to thank especially the Second Harvest Food Bank (serving San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties) for their immense contribution to our Nutrition Services and Meals on Wheels. Every week they donate over 1200 pounds of food to us, so that we can send out 1300 meals to homebound seniors and disabled adults, plus 6 congregate food sites. We couldn't do it without their help!

We'd also like to thank two other food partners in ending senior hunger: Safeway on El Camino and Middle Avenue in Menlo Park, and the Menlo Park Farmers Market. Both donate food every week that we can give away free at Little House: Safeway donates bread and baked goods (very very tasty!), and the Farmers Market donates surplus fresh fruit and vegetables in season. We have a free food table at Little House for seniors who are financially struggling. No one is asked anything; they just quietly come and smile as they leave with a loaf and something to cook.

And that makes us smile at Peninsula Volunteers.

Stone Soup indeed!
Second Harvest Food Bank
Menlo Park Farmers Market

GROWING URBAN EDIBLES with the UCCE MASTER GARDENERS

CLASSES AT LITTLE HOUSE

Little House, The Roslyn G. Morris Activity Center ▪ 800 Middle Ave. ▪ Menlo Park, CA 94025

GROWING URBAN EDIBLES

with the

UCCE MASTER GARDENERS OF SAN MATEO COUNTY

Each month, UCCE Master Gardeners will teach a workshop to help beginning and intermediate gardeners learn how to grow edibles and garden sustainably. Each workshop will be offered on Saturday mornings.
You can sign up for one session, or more - learn the joys of eating a meal fresh from the garden. For more information on the workshops listed below go to: http://ucanr.org/sites/MGsSMSF/classes/Edibles_Workshops/

Dates and Time: Saturdays, 10 AM to 12 PM
• April 16, Water and Compost
• April 30, Growing Tomatoes and Peppers
• May 21, Integrated Pest Management and Succession Planting
• June 25, Low Water Gardening, Native Plants and Wildlife habitats: Pollinators
• July 30, When and How to Harvest, Food Preservation
• August 27, Starting Fall Gardens
• September 24, Seed Saving, Crop Rotation, Selecting and Planting Fall Bulbs
• October 29, Renewing the Soil, Dividing Plants
• November 19, Fruit Trees and Berries, Tool Care and Frost Protection

Location: Little House, The Roslyn G. Morris Activity Center
Cost: $30.00 per workshop
Registration: Julie Scales, (650) 326-2025 ext. 231

www.peninsulavolunteers.org