The meditation class is changing to Thursday morning at 8 a.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Menu
The Senior Center is now featuring several new items on their menu in the rooming at 11:30 and for the Meals on Wheels home delivery. Drivers are needed to help make the deliveries. Attendance on Tuesday for the salad bar has increased participation. Adding a salad bar for Thursday is being considered. If you are interested, please call the Center.

The AARP will provide tax experts to help seniors with completing their 2009 Income Tax form. This service will start on Tuesday Feb. 16 and continue each Tuesday to April 13th. No appointment is required between 8 and 11 a.m. on a first serve basis. Coffee will be provided for those waiting for help.
Tai Chi Class

Arrangements are being made to start a Tai Chi class on a few weeks. Call the Center to get on the list to attend Wednesday at 8 a.m.

Questionnaire
Everyone is urged to return the Senior Center questionnaire to the Center so the Board can work on improving the programs and services for seniors.

Beginning Spanish
A beginning Spanish language class will hold the first meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 3 at the Center at 10 a.m. Carmen Zermano will be the instructor. To reserve a place, call the Senior Center between 8 and 1. 524-4533

Electronic Instruction
If you missed the instruction class on your new electronic gadgets, the young people from One Step a al Vez will be at the Center again on Saturday, January 30th for another session from 10-noon. You need to bring your new iPod, camera or phone and let them show you how to use it. There is no charge.

Wii Bowling
Wii bowling for both men and women provides exercise and a fun social time at the Center each week. The bowling day for men is Thursday from 10-noon and for women Friday from 10-noon. For those who want extra practice, they may drop in any time as the Wii is connected each day for their use.

(Ojai, California) The public is invited to learn more about palliative care – a form of medical care dedicated to helping patients and their families cope with debilitating illnesses – at a free seminar Community Memorial Health System is holding on Saturday, Feb. 6.

Charles Pankratz, M.D., who specializes in Internal Medicine and is board-certified in Hospice and Palliative Care Medicine, will lead the seminar that will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the Soule Park banquet room at 1033 East Ojai Ave in Ojai.

Dr. Pankratz will discuss the principles of palliative care as it relates to its goals of treatment and managing symptoms to improve a patient’s quality of life regardless of the prognosis. When a patient and family experience a debilitating illness, palliative care is available to provide comprehensive support, matching therapy with the potential for restoring health and function.

Dr. Pankratz received his medical degree from the University of California at Davis and completed an internship as well as a residency is Internal Medicine at Harbor UCLA Medical Center in Torrance. He is on staff at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura.

Admission is free, but space is limited, so reservations are suggested. Call 805/640-2355, or visit www.cmhshealth.org/rsvp.

This event is co-sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ojai.

Take a Second Chance to Support your Piru Seniors and Active Adults League (P-SAAL), in Association with San Salvador Mission. P-SAAL is a recently formed community group established within San Salvador Mission for seniors and other active adults. This group will focus on arranging activities and presentations to increase and expand opportunities and experiences for our local residents. These will include, but not be limited to, activities for exposure to local and regional cultural, historical, educational
and entertainment destinations and proceedings.

Our kick-off event is a fundraiser to set up “seed money” in order to establish the group. The raffle drawing has been moved to Sunday, January 17th due to bad weather uncertainties during the Piru parade & festival. Our re-scheduled Bingo games will also be held from 3 pm to 6 pm on this date. We are offering raffle tickets to be sold between now and the 17th.

The winner will be eligible to receive his/her choice of the following prize, to be redeemable at Lake Piru Recreation Area: One 2010 Annual Vehicle Pass or One Half-Day Pontoon Boat Rental. Tickets are just $2 per chance or 6 tickets for $10.

Face value of prize is $95. Winner does not need to be present to be eligible.

Contact one of our ticket committee members today!!

Jennie Alvary 521-1623, Josie Alcocer 521-1148, Andy Arias 521-1554, Mary Guevara 521-1067, Carolyn Jimenez 521-1114

For more information or offer support to P-SAAL, contact Andy Arias.

Thanks for your support!

Bingo has now been set for Sunday, January 17th 3 pm until 6 pm San Salvador Mission. This is to support the recently formed Piru Seniors & Active Adults League in partnership with San Salvador Mission. Cost per card per game: $1. Players may buy as many cards per game as you can play. Proceeds from each game will be divided as follows: 50% of each pot to Bingo Winner: 50% of each pot dedicated fundraiser for Piru Seniors and Active Adults League.
Special thanks to Fr. Barney & San Salvador Mission. Must be 18 to play.
For more information contact Andy Arias at 521-1554. Thank you for your support!!

Changes
Wii bowling for women has been moved to 10 a.m. on Fridays to accommodate more participants. The Classic Movie on Friday has been cancelled.

Electronic Training
For instructional help for new electronic gifts, attend a training session at the Senior Center Saturday, Jan. 16 and 30th from 10 a.m. to noon. Teens from One Step a la Vaz will be there to answer questions on your new equipment and gadgets. Everyone is invited to bring their iPods, Blackberries, and cameras with any other electronic gift for help. If you have questions on how to program or use new equipment, the teens will be there to assist you.

The HiNi Flu Vaccine
The HiNi flu vaccine is now readily available. A clinic will be held in Fillmore at the Family Medical Group, 828 Ventura Street, on Monday, Jan 25 and Monday Feb. 1 from 4-8 each day. These hours make it convenience for working adults and children to receive the vaccine. Prevention is the best me cure. Although the flu season has slowed down, we still have several winter months ahead, so it necessary that everyone protect themselves.

Beginning Spanish
Adults who want to start a beginning Spanish class are invited to call the Senior Center and put their name on the reservation list. Carmen Zermano will be teaching on Wednesday from 10-11 a.m. at the Center. Classes will start Feb. 3, so come and take advantage of learning a second language. Adults who want to start a beginning Spanish class are invited to call the Senior Center and put their name on the reservation list. Carmen Zermano will be teaching on Wednesday from 10-11 a.m. at the Center. Classes will start Feb. 3, so come and take advantage of learning a second language.

As time for the 2010 census approaches, seniors are cautioned to be extra careful about talking with strangers who come to their door. Every census worker will have a badge, handheld devise and a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentially notice. Ask to see these items before answering any questions. People should be cooperative, but cautious and NEVER invite anyone you don’t know into your home.

Census workers will soon be knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give anyone your Social Security number, credit card or banking information. Census workers will not ask for this personal information. The only thing they may need is your basic salary range, so do not give other information. Census workers may contact you by phone, mail or in person at home, but never by e-mail.

Never click on a link or open any attachments in an email that are supposedly from the U. S. Census Bureau. Be careful and avoid identity theft and fraud from people posing as census takers.

The Senior Center will soon be distributing a questionnaire asking for help in planning new activities in 2010. The flyers will be found in area churches, senior housing and in local businesses. Residents are encouraged to complete a questionnaire and return to the Senior Center so the Board can stay in touch with the needs of people in Fillmore. A beginning Spanish class and Craft class are currently in the works if enough interest is shown. Please call the Center, 524-4533 to get your name on the list. Details are to be worked out in the near future.

THOUSAND OAKS, CA. - The Association of Lutheran Older Adults and California Lutheran University are presenting SeniorFest 2010 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, in Samuelson Chapel on the Thousand Oaks campus.

The Rev. Roland Martinson, an author and professor at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., will give the keynote address on the “Call to Elderhood.”

The “Passing on the Faith” event will feature several workshops led by CLU faculty and staff. Michele LeBlanc, chair of the Exercise Science Department, will discuss the role of exercise in building strength, mobility and stability. The Rev. Howard Wennes, former interim president of CLU, will talk about passing values on to grandchildren. The Rev. Paul Egertson, a senior religion lecturer, will present a session on Lutheran theology. Jim Birren, a leader in the gerontology field for 60 years and a member of the American Society on Aging Hall of Fame, and Marylie Gerson, associate professor of psychology at CLU, will discuss life review and the guided autobiography process. Stephen Wheatly, Vice President for University Advancement, will share information on estate planning.

The event will also include devotions, an ALOA presentation and lunch.

SeniorFests bring Lutheran adults together for learning, devotions and fellowship to enhance their physical, spiritual, social and intellectual lives. They are one of several types of events sponsored by ALOA, an inter-Lutheran movement based in Baltimore that provides resources for older adult ministry. ALOA was formed in the early 1990s by a group of church leaders to help prepare the church for "the age wave."

Registration is $25 per person prior to Jan. 5 and $30 after that date. To register, go to http://www.callutheran.edu/seniorfest. For more information, contact Linda LeBlanc in the Church Relations Office at (805) 493-3936 or leblanc@callutheran.edu.

Did you ever wonder how much it costs a drug company for the active ingredient in prescription medications? Some people think it must cost a lot, since many drugs sell for more than $2.00 per tablet. We did a search of offshore chemical synthesizers that supply the active ingredients found in drugs approved by the FDA.

As we have revealed in past issues of Life Extension a significant percentage of drugs sold in the United States contain active ingredients made in other countries.

In our independent investigation of how much profit drug companies really make, we obtained the actual price of active ingredients used in some of the most popular drugs sold in America.

Celebrex:100 mg
Consumer price (100 tablets): $130.27
Cost of general active ingredients: $0.60
Percent markup: 21,712%

Claritin:10 mg
Consumer Price (100 tablets): $215.17
Cost of general active ingredients: $0.71
Percent markup: 30,306%

Keflex:250 mg CONTINUED »

Ventura, CA. - Community Memorial Hospital is offering free mini stroke screenings every Friday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., through its StrokeAware program.

Stroke is the No.3 cause of death from men and women, and the screenings are offered as a prevention strategy to identify and educate those who are at risk. Participants have their blood pressure taken and are given rhythm strip and carotid auscultation tests. They also are educated on the signs and symptoms of a stroke.

No appointment is necessary; walk-ins are welcomed. The StrokeAware program is in the Heartaware Early Detection Center located across the street from the hospital at 168 N. Brent St. on the third floor.

For more information, call 667-2818.

The Bazaar will be held Saturday, December 5th, 118 B Street, from 9AM to 3PM.
They will have craft items, peanut brittle, homemade baked goods, jams & jellies, raffles, hot dogs, chili dogs, Frito bowls, chili bowls, soft drinks, holiday décor, and much more.
Entertainment by the Tune Bandits.
For more information and donations call Geri at 524-1591 or Matthias at 524-0083.

Long term care is like the proverbial “elephant in the room.” Everyone knows it is vital and important to their future health, security and well being – but it is not an easy subject to discuss. Therefore, most people who should be discussing this subject are either in denial or procrastinating. “It will never happen to me!” “I’m too young. I’ll wait until I need it.” Unfortunately, in most cases, their loved ones either are oblivious to this need or are not assertive in pushing the issue.

The future of health care is the number one concern among Americans today and when you combine that with the current migration of “baby boomers” into senior citizen status, it is clear that addressing the issues of health, now and especially in the future, is urgent and of critical importance.

Also, waiting until one needs long term care protection often proves to be too late. So the question is: who needs long term care? Many people think it is primarily for the elderly. That is only partially correct. People of all ages may need long term care. At any age, a health crisis can occur due to a serious accident, an illness or disease. This can include cancer, strokes, multiple sclerosis, accidents of any kind, including recreation and sports accidents.

So what is long term care and why is this so critically CONTINUED »

Movie classics are being shown at the Senior Center each Friday at 10 a.m. Free popcorn is included courtesy of the City of Fillmore. If the film is long, there is a noon break to eat in the dining room before the film is continued. For a fun day try the FRIDAY FLICKS at the Senior Center each week.

The City will be refinishing the floors at the Center in the near future, so things may be moved around, but activities will continue, so come and enjoy the morning entertainment. Look for the sign outside to remind you about the activities of the day.

Michele Smith (524-0294) is organizing a “SHOW OFF YOUR COLLELCTIONS” at the Senior Center on Nov. 13. If you have personal things you wish to display, give her a call so there is room for you. There is no charge and refreshments will be served. If you want to stay for lunch, make your nutrition reservation by 11 a.m.
The Ladies Bowling Team is meeting at the Senior Center each Friday from 1-3 p.m. If you enjoy bowling, come and join them for an afternoon of exercise and enthusiastic bowling.

The Senior Center Book Club will be meeting on Nov. 18th with Sarah Hansen leading the discussion. This month will be a new format with each person bringing their own special book to share and report about. Everyone is invited to participate in the library at 10 a.m.

The Fillmore Senior Center is holding a unique showing of local collectibles on November 13, 2009 from 10 to 1 PM. All local collectors are invited to display their treasures at the Center’s 533 Santa Clara Street address. There is no charge for admission or show space. There will be complimentary refreshments, and a special gift drawing will be held. Phone Michele Smith at 524-0294 to reserve table space.

Now is the time for all senior citizens to check their Medicare insurance and drug coverage and consider making changes as allowed by the new program in 2010. The County of Ventura Area Agency on Aging is holding a series of workshops at the Senior Center to help individuals find out what is available and help them make desired changes.
These meetings will be held from 10 am to noon on Monday Oct. 18 for Medicare Part D. low income subsidy and Medicare Savings programs; Tuesday Oct. 27th for application assistance; Wednesday Nov. 18 for an overview of changes and what they need to do to prepare; Friday Dec. 4 to learn about Medicare Plans for 2010 and Part D. prescription drug plans. On Wednesday Dec 9, from 9 am to l pm, One-on-One review of senior personal Part D plan comparisons and assistance in making any changes a senior wants.

This help is provided by the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program with the Area Agency on Aging and is free to every senior. If they wish to bring a family member along to help them get additional information, they may. Annual changes may be confusing and must be done during this OPEN ENROLLMENT time, but these workshop sessions will help seniors make choices that will be best for their individual needs.

Every Friday at 10:00 beginning October 23, 2009, the Senior Center will be offering a varied selection of classic movies on their wide screen television. Showing on October 23 will be “Legends of the Fall” starring Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins and Aidan Quinn. There is no charge for the show. Seniors are invited to come watch the film and stay for lunch.