About Community Connections ...
FAN aims to help seniors in Tuolumne and Calaveras counties forge new social and educational connections, and enjoy local entertainment and recreation destinations.
We welcome notices in these four categories: Events, Classes, Special Notices, and Entertainment & Day Trips. Email info to editor@seniorfan.com
Calendar of Events
MARCH
Thursday, March 11
Free seminar on financial and estate planning for families of persons with special needs,
6-8pm, Tuolumne County Senior Center, 540 Greenley Road, Sonora, next to the county library. Presented by Tamara Polley of Gianelli & Polley, and Jason Land of Edward Jones. They will share information on providing for a special-needs family member without jeopardizing eligibility for public benefits; special needs trusts; and calculating the amount a loved one will need to maintain his or her quality of life. Reserve a seat by calling
533-2233 or 536-0422.
Thursday-S
unday, March 11-14
California Senior Winter Games, Dodge Ridge Wintersports Area. Skiers 50 and older compete in downhill, cross-country, relay and snowboarding events; fun family events also planned. Volunteers, sponsors welcome. 536-1143, californiawintergames.org.
At right, Frank Borrego, honorary chairman of the 2010 Senior Winter Games (Photo by Ben Hicks)
Friday-Sunday, March 12-14
Sonora Celtic Faire, 9am-3pm Friday (Family Day), 7pm concert; 10am-10pm Saturday; 10am-5pm Sunday. Mother Lode Fairgrounds, Sonora. Tickets, sonoracelticfaire.com.
Tuesday, March 16
Meet at 6pm at the Tuolumne County Library, 480 Greenley Rd., to support the return of the Soap Box Derby to the county. Organizers are looking for children between the ages of 8 and 17 to drive these gravity race cars. Come learn how to build a car; mentors available to help. The race will be held June 19 in Tuolumne, and both racers and sponsors are needed. Jamie Smith, derby coordinator, (209) 533-2764, email tuo.sbd@gmail.com.
Thursday, March 18
OakPlus Wellness seminar, noon, Sonora Elks Lodge, medical experts discuss senior health issues. Only for OakPlus members; membership free; seating limited. 536-5025. Sponsored by Sonora Regional Medical Center.
Sunday, March 21
Big Band Jazz with special guest Henry Robinett, guitar, at 3pm, Columbia College's Dogwood Theater. $10 reserved seating on sale after March 6. 588-5211.
Saturday, March 27
Senior Center Celebrity Breakfast, 8am-noon, at Tuolumne County Senior Center, 540 Greenley Road, Sonora. Community leaders will prepare and serve meals in this fundraiser for the center's meal program; build-your-own omelettes and all-you-can-eat pancakes. $8 per person. Maggie York, 533-2622.
Sunday, March 28
Welcome Home parade for Vietnam and Vietnam-era Veterans, 1pm, on Washington Street through downtown Sonora. This is the first of its kind in the nation, and is sponsored by Chapter 391 of Vietnam Veterans of America. Click here for more info.
Tuesday, March 30
Groveland Wellness Faire, 8am-noon, Tenaya Elementary School gym, 19177 Highway 120, Groveland; register and pay for blood draws at the door. Free screenings for bone density, hearing, vision, blood pressure, diabetes and more, health and safety exhibits. Blood draws to test cholesterol, kidney function, thyroid, liver function and lipids. Prostate Screening Antigen (PSA) test available. Screenings free except for optional blood chemistry, $20 (men can add PSA test for $10 more). Fasting required 12 hours prior to blood testing. Jeanne Brunk, 962-6276
April
Thursday, April 1
Special Vocal Jazz Show featuring singer Madeline Eastman and pianist Matt Clark
College Dogwood Theater, 7pm; $10 reserved seating on sale after March 6. 588-5211.
Wednesday, April 15
OakPlus Wellness seminar, noon, Sonora Elks Lodge, medical experts discuss senior health issues. Only for OakPlus members; membership free; seating limited. 536-5025. Sponsored by Sonora Regional Medical Center.
Saturday, April 17
Jazz Series Season Finale, 7:30pm, Bret Harte High School Auditorium, Angels Camp.
Big Band Meets Latin with guests Mario Flores Band. Benefit concert, tickets
$15 general or $20 VIP, on sale after March 6. 588-5211.
Classes
Computer classes are being offered at the Tuolumne County Library through the months of March and April. Click here for details.
Fitness classes for seniors are held at a variety of times and locations throughout Tuolumne and Calaveras counties.Click here for a list from Friends and Neighbors Winter 2009-2010 Issue.
Special Notices
A Midsummer Night Gathering is the theme for Adult Day Health Care fundraiser, July 10 at Twain Harte area home of Roger and Judy Haughton. Evening events include Shakespeare, dinner, silent and live auctions and a tour of Haughtons’ 11,000-square-foot home. Proceeds benefit the Sonora-based program providing medical, nutritional and social support to those with chronic illnesses or disability. Event tickets are $100 per person. 533-7180. Click here to read FAN article on Adult Day Health care.
Local chapters of SIR (Sons in Retirement) in Sonora, Twain Harte, Murphys and Arnold offer a chance for retired men to share companionship and activities. The nonprofit organization has some 20,000 members with 150 branches statewide. For information, visit the group's main website, www.sirinc.org. To connect with the Twain Harte branch, visit www.sirtwain.org. Other contact info: Arnold, Branch 152, Mike Ray, (408) 259-5918; Murphys, Branch 140, Lorenzo Guzman, (209) 728-8163; Sonora, Branch 77, Roger Milligan, (209) 533-0627; Sonora, Branch 136, Donald Banchero, (209) 533-4289; Sonora, Branch 172, Earl Nelson, (209) 586-5661.
The Friendship Center in Murphys welcomes seniors to a full slate of activities during the month of January. Click here for dates and times.
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown has a busy year ahead. Click here for a full list of events and activities planned for 2010. Enjoy volunteering? They're looking for help. Visit the park's website to learn more: www.railtown1897.org.
Two friendly groups invite area newcomers to join them. The Tuolumne County Newcomers Club meets monthly at different locations; dues are $25 per year, plus cost of any event; contact Grace Fruiosi, 586-0710. Gold Country Social Club meets for lunch the second Tuesday of each month at the Pine Tree Restaurant, 19601 Hess Ave., East Sonora; dues are $12 a year, luncheons $10; call Betty Finch, 532-9438. On Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010, the Social Club will host a Sweet Sensations card party from 12:30-4pm; for location and other details, call Carol at 536-9494 or Doris at 532-8954.
Tuolumne County Commission on Aging meets at 1:30pm the second Monday of each month at Area 12 Agency on Aging, 19080 Standard Rd., Standard. The group is an all-volunteer panel that advises county supervisors on senior-related issues.
Are you a retired teacher? Join the California Retired Teachers Association for the group's next luncheon meeting at the Aladdin Motor Inn conference center off Highway 108 in East Sonora. $15. To reserve a seat, call Jean Hardin, 532-5419.
Sonora Kiwanis Club offers free in-home smoke alarm checks to seniors 60 and older. Mike Mandell, 586-1180.
Looking for volunteer opportunities? Many local organizations are looking for volunteers, as listed in our Winter 2009-2010 issue:click here for list.
This online directory can link you with local organizations that will welcome your skills and enthusiasm: 1-800-volunteer.org.
Or, call Sierra NonProfit Services in Sonora (533-1093, www.sierranonprofit.org) to chat one-on-one about available volunteer jobs.
Find a loving companion at Tuolumne County Animal Control (694-2730) or the Humane Society of Tuolumne County (984-5489), 10040 Victoria Way, Jamestown. Dogs and cats eagerly await your call. Visit the Humane Society online at hsotc.org. New volunteer orientation is at noon on the second Thursday of every month. Board of directors' meetings, which the public is invited to attend, are at 6:30pm on the last Wednesday of each month.
Don't forget to browse through our Readers' Forum to read articles submitted by local writers and FAN readers.
