It's Not Too Late to Donate - Think of Your Tax Deductions

Giving may yield you tax deductions.
Now doesn't that make your brain light up?

Research shows that even a small act of giving, like dropping coins into a fund-raising bucket, lights up the pleasure circuits in your brain. So, why not be charitable this holiday and enjoy an added health benefit!

Peninsula Volunteers, Inc. programs at Little House, Rosener House and Meals on Wheels are possible thanks to support from people like you.

To donate, click on this link. You will be directed to a safe and secure website where you can make your donation. Any gift amount is greatly appreciated!

Warm wishes for a Happy Holiday Season 

and Healthy New Year!

Little House Noted in People Magazine

Cheryl Burke, dancing master of "Dancing with the Stars" appears in a story in the holiday extra edition of People Magazine this month. She's the first one quoted in a story about celebrity memories of the holidays. Cheryl tells the nation (or at least all the mag readers) about her fond memories volunteering each Christmas at Little House as part of her cherished family tradition, along with her Peninsula Volunteer mom, Sherri Burke.

We aren't allowed to reprint their article here, so you'll just have to find the magazine or check their website if you're curious.

We CAN tell you that Cheryl's dance studio has a large ad in our January Little House News, which will be posted on our website shortly.

Thank you Cheryl. You're a good friend, a good person and a really GREAT dancer!

Reserve Your Holiday Dinner Spot!

Call Aida Sanchez at: 650-326-2025 ext. 222.

Little House Volunteer Chosen for President's Award

Yesterday Leonard Friedman was recognized  for 19 years of volunteer public service.

(For the full story from the pages of The Almanac by Sandy Brundage, click this link.) Leonard Friedman has been hosting our bridge club at Little House for 19 years! He's been introducing people to the game and making sure that they come to enjoy the pleasure and the brain health benefits of this popular game. Thanks to a nomination by the RSVP of San Mateo and Northern Santa Clara County, he came to the attention of the White House (yes, that White House!) for his efforts.  At a small ceremony yesterday at Little House (yes, our Little House), he was presented with the award. The ceremony had to start late, as none of Lenny's Bridge students were willing to stop in the middle of a hand! Now that's dedication! "You get a good feeling when you volunteer," he said. "You teach people a new game, but you also learn from the experiences. Volunteering makes you healthier, happier and wiser." Leonard ought to know. He's 87 years young! And that probably trumps whatever you're doing, so come on down and learn Bridge from Lenny.

Subaru "Share the Love!" for Meals on Wheels

Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) represents and supports Senior Nutrition Programs like our Peninsula Volunteers Meals on Wheels across the country. MOWAA needs our help today, and your help might translate into a grant from them to our own program, as it has in the past. 

Take a minute to vote for Meals On Wheels as your favorite Subaru “Share The Love” charity and Subaru will donate $1 to help end senior hunger: “Share The Love” Facebook page

You can also go to our local partnering Subaru dealership, Carlsen Subaru, in Redwood City and if you buy a car from them this month, Peninsula Volunteers Meals on Wheels can get a contribution for every car sold.

We appreciate all your support! Thanks.

Cool December at Little House!

MAHARAJA: THE SPLENDOR OF INDIA’S ROYAL COURTS

Explore the life and times of India’s great kings through this presentation, viewing the objects they used and the art they commissioned, collected, and loved.  Nearly 200 stunning artworks illuminate the dazzling world of these kings from the 1700’s to the 1940’s, a period of dramatic change.

Docent: Michelle Wilcox, Asian Art Museum

Date:                           Tuesday, December 6, 2011, 1:30 to 2:30 PM (NOTE: new time)

Cost:                            $3 members/$5 non-members

Info:                             Julie Scales, (650) 326-2025 ext. 229

JOHN O’CONNOR

SAILING ROUND THE WORLD

Come and meet John O’Connor, a long time Menlo Park proprietor and his wife Karen, who took an 8 year sabbatical aboard their 60 foot yacht, Windsong. John will share pictures and yarns about the people and places they met along the way. Included will be the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Maine the Azores, Gibraltar, the Mediterranean, Black and Red Sea.  

Date:   Tuesday, December 13, 2011, 1:30 to 2:30 

Cost:    $2 members/$3 non-members

Info:     Julie Scales, (650) 326-2025 ext. 229

THE PRISCILLA STANFORD SINGERS & DANCERS

Join us once again this year for a fabulous, fun and entertaining hour of song and dance with the children, teenagers, graduates and family members of the Stanford Dance Studio. The Stanford group is choreographed by Pricilla Stanford, Director of the PS Performing Arts Studio in Belmont.  

Date:                           Tuesday, December 27, 2011, 1:30 to 2:30 PM (NOTE: new time)

Cost:                            $2 members/$3 non-members

Info:                             Julie Scales, (650) 326-2025 ext. 229

And for a Little House light music....

• August Mozart will be playing the piano on Wednesday, Dec. 7 from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. during lunch. 
• The University Heights Montessori School kindergarten class is coming to sing on Wednesday, Dec. 14 about 11:45 again during the lunch hour. They will be staying with us for lunch and will bring gifts for our members who are at lunch.

Is that cool enough for you yet? See you there!

BBB is a Smash Hit!

This year's Baubles, Bangles & Bags was not just sold out early. The event was a smash hit with those who got seats AND raised a whopping  record for this event! (We'll post the $ soon.)

Congratulations to Camilla Shroff and her team: Patricia Grillos, Darlene Woodson and Linda Drew.


The "R by Reeti" fashion show was tasteful and elegant. The tables were elegant and fun. The crowd? Well they were certainly fun and having a ball. If you were there you know that; if you missed it this year, you'll want to be there next year for sure.

Be sure to look for BBB next fall and this time buy your tickets and send in your sponsorship early.

R by Reeti, established in 2011, is a brand built as a Couture Fashion House encapsulating an artistic blend of both creativity and majesty.  The hallmark of the house is luxury in all aspects of manufacture and design.

We Are Grateful To The Following For Their Support

Dine Out Raises Funds for Meals On Wheels

We just want to thank all our diners, donors and restaurants who made our 2011 Dine Out for Meals on Wheels such a success! Altogether we raised almost $12,000 from hundreds of patrons at over 50 San Mateo County restaurants.

Hats off to these restaurateurs - and please say "thank you for Meals on Wheels" every time you dine with them all year:

Participating Restaurants as of September 30, 2011

Meal	Restaurant	Address	City	Telephone
D	Alice's Restaurant	17288 Skyline Blvd.	Woodside	650-851-0303
L D	Amici's East Coast Pizzeria	880 Santa Cruz Avenue	Menlo Park	650-329-8888
L D	Amici's East Coast Pizzeria	226 Redwood Shores Pkwy.	Redwood Shores	650-654-3333
L D	Amici's East Coast Pizzeria	69 E. Third Avenue	San Mateo	650-342-9392
D	Amigo's Grill	3130 Alpine Road, #290	Portola Valley	650-851-3997
B L	Ann's Coffee Shop	772 Santa Cruz Avenue	Menlo Park	650-322-0043
L D	Bistro Vida	641 Santa Cruz Avenue	Menlo Park	650-462-1686
L D	Bona Restaurant	651-H Maloney Street	Menlo Park	650-328-2778
L D	British Bankers Club	1090 El Camino Real	Menlo Park	650-327-8769
L D	Carpaccio	1120 Crane Street	Menlo Park	650-322-1211
L D	Cedro Ristorante	1010 El Camino Real	Menlo Park	650-322-3376
L D	Celia's Mexican Restaurant	379 Gellert Blvd.	Daly City	650-755-6213
L D	Celia's Mexican Restaurant	1850 El Camino Real	Menlo Park	650-321-8227
L D	Celia's Mexican Restaurant	201 El Camino Real	San Bruno	650-877-8245
L D	Celia's Mexican Restaurant	504 Peninsula Avenue	San Mateo	650-343-5886
L D	Celia's Mexican Restaurant	3190 Campus Drive	San Mateo	650-349-0165
D	Chantilly Restaurant	3001 El Camion Real	Redwood City	650-321-4080
B L D	Copenhagen Restaurant & Bar	356 Woodside Plaza	Redwood City	650-365-6616
D	CreoLa	344 El Camino Real	San Carlos	650-654-0882
L D	Donato Enoteca	1041 Middlefield Road	Redwood City	650-701-1000
D	El Cerrito Mexican Restaurant	325 Sharon Park Drive, # B4	Menlo Park	650-854-7300
L	El Sabor Michoacano	2380 Cooley	East Palo Alto	650-630-7897
D	Gambardella's	1165 Merrill Street	Menlo Park	650-323-6730
L D	Il Fornaio	327 Lorton Avenue	Burlingame	650-375-8000
L D	John Bentley's	2915 El Camino Real	Redwood City	650-365-7777
D	Luttickens After 5	3535 Alameda de las Pulgas	Menlo Park	650-854-0291
B L	Main Street Coffee Roasting Company	150 Elm Street	Redwood City	650-368-3430
D	Margarita's	2098 Broadway Street	Redwood City	650-701-0709
B L D	Max's of Redwood City	1001 El Camino Real	Redwood City	650-365-6297
D	Menlo Grill Bistro & Bar	100 El Camino Real	Menlo Park	650-330-2790
L	Mistral	370-6 Bridge Parkway	Redwood Shores	650-802-9222
L D	Mountain Mike's Pizza	390 El Camino Real #A	Belmont	650-508-9090
L D	Mythos	1201 San Carlos Avenue	San Carlos	650-610-0202
D	Oak City Bar and Grill	1029 El Camino Real	Menlo Park	650-321-6882
B L D	Pamplemousse	2401 Broadway Street	Redwood City	650-599-9714
L D	Pasta Pomodoro	490 El Camino Real	Redwood City	650-474-2400
L D	Pasta Pomodoro	811-A Cherry Avenue	San Bruno	650-583-6622
L D	Pasta Pomodoro	1060 Park Place	San Mateo	650-574-2600
D	Parkside Grille	884 Portola Road	Portola Valley	650-529-9007
D	Pizza My Heart	831 Middlefield Road	Redwood City	650-361-1010
D	Ristorante Mataro	827 Santa Cruz Avenue	Menlo Park	650-325-7900
D	Round Table Pizza	1225 El Camino Real	Menlo Park	650-321-6861
D	Round Table Pizza	3130 Alpine Road	Portola Valley	650-854-9283
L D	Sakura Teppanyaki and Sushi	2198 Broadway Street	Redwood City	650-368-0800
B L D	Sweet Orchid	134 So. B Street	San Mateo	650-342-6700
L D	Taqueria El Jarocho	2395 University Avenue	East Palo Alto	650-326-1829
L D	The American Bull Bar & Grill	1819 El Camino Real	Burlingame	650-652-4908
L D	Trapeze Restaurant	266 Lorton Avenue	Burlingame	650-344-4242
L D	Trellis Restaurant	1077 El Camino Real	Menlo Park	650-326-9028
B L D	Vanilla Moon	872 Laurel Street	San Carlos	650-593-3015
D	Woodside Bakery & Café	3052 Woodside Road	Woodside	650-851-0812

Sponsors:

Carlsen Subaru

Xfinity brought to you by Comcast


Bay Area's NBC

Raging Grannies Rage On!

Their official name is “Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom”, but they call themselves the "Raging Grannies"!

Raging Grannies WILPF has been a hotbed of dangerous women since 1915, when the founders came together to protest U.S. entry into World War l. Today they come together to sing songs of support for peace, the environment, economic and political justice, full rights for women and the end to all forms of violence. Hey, if you can play a tuba like that one, why not "give peace a chance"?

Yesterday those grannies blew their horns for all our Tuesday Tea guests at Little House. Come blow your horn, blow your mind, blow bubbles - whatever makes you happy - at our weekly Little House talks, concerts, classes, activities and events. If you haven't been here lately, you don't know what you're missing, but you sure can find out by checking out our upcoming activities and classes on our website.

Do we have fun at Little House, or what?

You're Never Too Young for Little House

And you thought Little House was only for seniors! Think again and take a look at our youngest visitors.

Photo Exhibit in Little House Galleries

Ellen Rosenthal Photography In Little House Galleries in November Ellen Rosenthal is a San Francisco-based photographer who has traveled extensively and lived out of the country for 10 years. Many of her images show the effects of light and shadows. Being a linguist by training, her work often contains incongruities involving words and unexpected juxtapositions. For a preview of her portfolio, visit her website.

Caregivers Month - Activities for YOU!

November is National Caregivers Month

Rosener House Special Events fo YOU!

There is a waiting list forming for very few spots left. 

Call Rosener House right away!

(650) 322-0126

Sponsored by 

Meals On Wheels - Behind the Scenes

Students from Language Pacifica School volunteered their time and energy to move and organize supplies for Meals On Wheels.  

All of our programs offer various “behind the scenes” volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups. Just ask how you can help! Call (650) 322-0129 or email volunteer@peninsulavolunteers.org

Little Shop Sidewalk Sale

Halloween Ball

Meals on Wheels Blanket Bonanza!

NBC Reporter Bob Redell & Supervisor Don Horsley

Deliver Blankets to Meals on Wheels Recipients

Just in time for the cool weather, County Supervisor Don Horsley teamed up with NBC Reporter Bob Redell and Carlsen Subaru General Manager Todd Parkinson to deliver warm blankets right to their doors. Everybody had fun - what a terrific gift, warmth. 

So now you can truly say we deliver a warm meal and a warm blanket, along with the warm human company.

Click here to view the live broadcast, courtesy of NBC Bay Area.

Why Are These Women Smiling?

Peninsula Volunteers Meals On Wheels is delivering a warm winter blanket to all our regular food recipients next week!  
Starting Tuesday, October 11th, everyone on our Meals on Wheels routes - from East Palo Alto through Belmont - will be receiving a nice warm blanket, along with their tasty meals. 

Peninsula Volunteers Pat Grillos, Linda Drew
and Meals on Wheels Chair Jackie Scandalios
 in front of a shed full of blankets.

Last year at our "Mayors for Meals" event, Supervisor Don Horsley noticed how cold some of their houses were. When he inquired, he found that many of the seniors and disabled adults were turning off their heat to save precious dollars. Even worse, he saw that some of them didn't have a blanket to keep them warm!

That's when Peninsula Volunteers Linda Drew and Pat Grillos swung into action. They created a fundraising event just to buy blankets and were very successful. This week Meals on Wheels will return to those cold homes and give a gift of warmth.

On Tuesday, NBC Bay Area Reporter Bob Redell will join Supervisor Don Horsley in kicking off the blanket delivery drive. Carlsen Subaru Manager Todd Parkinson will drive them to select homes to publicize how important it is that we truly take care of our most vulnerable home-bound citizens. Look for them in the news on Tuesday and send your best wishes along with them to those who need our help the most!

Meals on Wheels Director Marilyn
Baker-Venturini engulfed by all the blankets.

For your information, NBC/Comcast and Subaru are both partnering with Peninsula Volunteers Meals on Wheels this year. Supervisor Don Horsley is a longtime supporter of the program, having someone very close to him as a recipient for years.


For more information on the blanket drive call: Pennie Lundberg, Director of Development at 650-326-0665 ext. 231. We can use YOUR support!

Jackie Scandalios & Pat Grillos packing the blankets.

Homecare California and Zero Barriers

Little House Community Forum

 Featuring Homecare California and Zero Barriers

        

        Date:       Wednesday, October 12, 2011

        Time:      11:00 am to 12:00 pm

        Place:     Little House Activity Center

                         800 Middle Ave. Menlo Park, Ca

NEW EVENING CLASS - CERAMICS FOR FUN

Handmade ceramics and pottery can be a very gratifying hobby that produces fun and satisfying results. For many people, it's an enjoyable release that is created by working an inanimate mound of clay into a beautiful work of art that you made through your artistic abilities.

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 for more information on this incredible opportunity to use your hands and bring the images in your mind to life.

Date: 4 weeks, begins October 4, 2011 and ends October 25, 2011
Time: Tuesdays, 5:00 – 9:00 PM
Location: Little House, The Roslyn G. Morris Activity Center
Cost: $60.00 per session, or $15.00 per class
Info: Julie Scales, (650) 326-2025 ext. 229

NEW CLASS - GETTING TO KNOW YOUR FAMILY

We get great satisfaction and fun from knowing 

the history of our ancestors 

— where they lived, how they managed their challenges, and why you have that family heirloom. This series of genealogy classes will get you started and well on your way to a delightful excursion of a life time.

Instructor: Richard D. Rands, Director of the Los Altos Family History Center

*** Bring your laptop to class if you own one. WiFi available. ***

Date: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 to 11:30 AM
            October 11 - December 22, 2011, 10 weeks
Location: Little House, The Roslyn G. Morris Activity Center
Cost: $90.00 members/$99.00 non-members

For more information call: Julie Scales, (650) 326-2025 ext. 229

Alzheimer's Walk is a Huge Success

We don't know the final figures on how much was raised at the annual Walk to End Alzheimer's Disease this past weekend. Nor do we yet know how much was raised on behalf of our Rosener House in particular.

What we do know is that tens of thousands of people in the Bay Area responded to all the publicity and showed up to "walk the walk"!

Here is a cute picture of our own "Team Rosener House".

Yes, that is Shayna our wonderful Pet Therapist in the bottom of the picture. She wouldn't hear of leaving her Rosener House friends behind!

Walmart Donates Emergency Generator

Thanks to a generous donation (and much help) from Walmart, through our association with Meals on Wheels Association of America, we now have an emergency generator for our Peninsula Volunteers Meals on Wheels program!

People's lives depend on our daily delivery of hot, nutritious and SAFE meals to their homes. For home-bound seniors and disabled adults, who cannot shop, cook, or store food for themselves, this is often the major  nutrition they get each day. For some it's their ONLY meal each day! That makes our Meals on Wheels deliveries a life-saver (along with the daily personal safety check our drivers make at each home.)

So what would happen if the electricity at our kitchens at Little House were to stop or brown out? Our refrigerator and food-safe packaging machinery wouldn't run and we would have to cancel that life-giving meal.

Now, thanks to Walmart, that won't ever happen. THANK YOU, WALMART!

For more information visit our Peninsula Volunteers Meals on Wheels page, or call: 650-323-2022.

For your further reading: Mercurynews.com and the Palo Alto Daily News ran an article on September 21st about the donation: http://www.mercurynews.com/peninsula/ci_18942100?IADID=Search-www.mercurynews.com-www.mercurynews.com

Peninsula Volunteers Wants YOU to Volunteer!

 The Community Services Desk at Little House offers information and resources to family members and care givers of older adults. It also schedules appointments for Little House services such as podiatrist, acupuncture and massage and provides SamTrans and Menlo Park Shuttle schedules.

Volunteers like Helena (shown here) look forward to helping others in a relaxed and comfortable setting every Monday- Friday 10am-2pm.  Come visit and see for yourself!

TO VOLUNTEER FOR LITTLE HOUSE, ROSENER HOUSE OR MEALS ON WHEELS PLEASE CONTACT: Mary Rached, Director Community Volunteer Program at mrached@peninsulavolunteers.org   650-322-0129

Luau at Rosener House - the Tongan Connection

Peninsula Volunteers Rosener House’s annual Luau was the perfect opportunity for volunteer Lousiale Uasike to share her Tongan culture and dance. Lou is an assistance minister for the Tongan Free Wesleyan Church - Tapanakkale, Redwood City and willing to extend her ministry to the community and specifically, at Rosener House. For over a year, she has been a calm and caring presence- giving her time each week, extra help to the activities staff and many smiles to the participants. To more information about volunteering visit www.penvol.org

Picture Yourself as Doing Good in Your World

Meals on Wheels
Volunteer Drivers Needed!

Check in on a homebound senior and bring a hot meal along with your smile!

Delivery routes consist of 10-15 clients in the mid-Peninsula area. Pick up meals from our Menlo Park facility at Little House.  Volunteers provide their own cars, gas, proof of insurance and release for background check.  We are currently looking for a once a week driver M-F; 9:30am-Noon; 6 month commitment

Join the Rosener House Fun 
Volunteer Mondays 10AM-1PM

Assist staff with music, art, fitness and other activities for participants in our adult day care program. Socialize, help serve lunch or take a walk in the park! Piano or guitar talent is a plus.  

To volunteer for our programs, contact Mary Rached, Director of Community Volunteers     (650) 322-1029    mrached@peninsulavolunteers.org   

Sizzling September at Little House

Tuesday Teas at Little House

1:30 to 2:30 PM (NOTE: new time)

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

Cost:                           $2 members/$3 non-members

Info:                            Julie Scales, (650) 326-2025 ext. 229

The Original 3 Tenors Concert DVD

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

To whet your appetite for Opera San Jose’s presentation on September 13th, we are showing the fabulous DVD of The Original Three Tenors Concert. In this performance touted by some as the greatest classical concert in modern times, tenors Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti and Jose Carreras, along with conductor Zubin Mehta, join forces in celebration of the World Cup Soccer. 

Photo courtesy of 
Opera San Jose and Chris Ayers.

Opera San Jose

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Principal artists from Opera San Jose showcase selections from the company’s 2010-11 season. They include Mozart’s Idomeno, Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, Poulend’s La Voix Humaine, Verdi’s La Traviata, and Gounod’s Faust. At the end of the program, there will be an opportunity for audience questions to the artists.

Larry Hayes - Publisher 

Active Over 50 Magazine

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Join us to learn about the creation of the magazine, Active Over 50. Larry Hayes, publisher/editor, started the quarterly magazine six years ago, which has since grown to over 200,000 readers. “Older adults are not done; they’re doing incredible things and they inspire me,” he said. People in his magazine give him the drive to keep going at 71.

Guide Dogs for the Blind

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Have you ever wondered about the training and gifting of a dog for a blind person? Lynette Kersey, will tell  how she came to receive her very best friend and guide dog, Logan, a three year old Golden Labrador. Logan will here so you can meet in person this trusted, loved companion of Lynette’s. 

In The Little House Galleries

  Discoveryscapes After Insecta 

Prints by Foster Beigler

In the on going series, Discoveryscapes After Insecta, I am working with traditional linoleum and woodcut materials. I have a sense of connection with what went before, and also a connection with the digital age. I derive a sense of pleasure and exclusion from the world around me as my hands guide me while carving out thousands of little pieces of material from the flat surface of wood or linoleum. 

Foster Beigler is a multi-media artist. She spent twenty-five years in international television as a photojournalist, an occupation that allowed her to travel the world extensively. She documented and published worldwide on twelve sets of Olympic Games covering the advances in television technology.