Cypress Place Senior Living in Ventura is collecting suitcases for children in the Ventura County Foster Care Program. When a child enters foster care for the first time, it is usually in a time of crisis and confusion. Often the child’s possessions are hurriedly stuffed into a garbage bag or box.

The child then shows up at the doorstep of a foster home, frightened and scared, holding this trash bag or box. This scene is often repeated numerous times as the child is moved from one home to another.

“All of us here at Cypress Place Senior Living feel a child’s life is worth more than a trash bag or box,” said Mike Macke, one of the marketing directors at the senior community. “That is why we are collecting new and used suitcases to give to these children through a program we call Suitcases for Kids.”

From September 16th until October 16th the senior community will be accepting donations of a new or used suitcase to be given to one of the many foster children in Ventura County.

Once the suitcases have been collected, Cypress Place will invite the foster children to the senior community to present them with their very own suitcase. It is a small, yet wonderful way to help give a child a glimmer of hope and a sense of dignity according to Macke.

Suitcases may be dropped off to Cypress Place Senior Living at 1200/1220 Cypress Point Lane in Ventura. For more information please call 650-8000 or visit their web site at www.cypressplaceseniorliving.com.

Thanks to the publication of a recent article in the Ventura Breeze, The Time Binders  – — is up and running. The Time Binders are Esther Cole and Carin Wofford,  The workshops cover collecting data, writing, binding, and videotaping your life.  Both co-directors are published writers of articles and books. Writing kits will be provided.

First Workshop: October 8:  A 4-week course beginning  Thursday, from  1:00-2:00 PM.  sponsored by  Ventura Parks & Recreation.

Location:  Ventura Adult and Senior Center on Ventura Ave.

Second Workshop: November 3,  Tuesdays 1:00-2:00 p.m.

For more information please call 236-7378. Early enrolment is encouraged because class size will be limited.

The Santa Barbara Golf Club has expanded its resident discount on green fees to include golfers in San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties. Seniors aged 65 and older, in these three counties, are eligible for great discounts on rates on both weekdays and weekends.

Located in the heart of Santa Barbara and just ten minutes from the waterfront, Santa Barbara Golf Club is the only 18-hole public golf course in city limits. Golfers can enjoy a peaceful retreat from the city and take in picturesque mountain and ocean landscapes without sacrificing convenience. Santa Barbara Golf Club is a championship-level course that is sure to provide golfers with a fun and challenging experience.

Green fees for seniors who are residents of Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties are $29 on weekdays and $38 on weekends—a 43% and 37% discount, respectively. Power golf cart rentals are available for $15.

In our last issue we had this photo but it was so small you couldn’t really see these handsome guys.

Dick Zizic, Harold Kennedy, Dick Baldewin, Tony Jankowski and somebody in a Breeze cap celebrating Harold’s birthday at the Vagabond Coffee Shop. All friends from playing tennis (rather well thank you) at the Pierpont Racquet Club.

Are we baby boomers?

An educational workshop titled  “Savvy Social Security Planning: What Baby Boomers Need to Know to Maximize Retirement Income” has been scheduled for Tuesday, September 22 at the Ventura Adult Education Center located at 5200 Valentine Rd., at 6:00 p.m.

Social Security is far more complicated than most people realize. The decisions baby boomers make now can have a tremendous impact on the total amount of benefits they stand to receive over their lifetime.

Questions boomers are asking include:

• Will social security be there for me?
• How much can I expect to receive?
• When should I apply for Social Security?
• How can I maximize my benefits?
• Will Social Security be enough to live on in retirement?

To help baby boomers better understand the Social Security system, this workshop will cover:

• 5 factors to consider when deciding to apply for benefits
• When it makes sense to delay benefits- and when it does not

Why you should always check your earnings for accuracy

• How to estimate your benefits
• How to coordinate benefits with your spouse
• How to minimize taxes on Social Security benefits
• How to coordinate Social Security with your other sources of retirement income

Seating is limited and reservations are required.  Individuals may reserve space by calling  644-3495.

Unable to attend the seminar in person?  No problem.  You can view a short video from the comfort of your own home regarding the above at www.RISpresents.com.

By Connie De La Rosa

Taking care of ourselves in all aspects, especially as we age, whether it is in exercise, being active in the community to maintain social interaction, or regular doctor visits, is more vital. Today, there are many educational classes and outreach programs that assist in making better choices for a much more healthy lifestyle. It’ emphasizes the importance of keeping your oral health in a good place. While nowadays there are cosmetic dentistry options like porcelain crowns (look at https://garycashdds.com/cosmetic-dentistry/porcelain-crowns/ for more info on this) if your oral health decreases and causes staining or other issues but this doesn’t mean we should rely on it to keep our smile.

“As the percentage of older adults continues to increase, we can observe that they are also keeping their teeth much longer than previous decades” states Dental Hygienist Nena S. Casillas. Keeping teeth longer also means an increase in periodontal disease, worn and deteriorated dental restorations, and cavities. This would mean an increase in the chance you will need to visit an emergency dentist for treatment for such problems. CareDash explains how to find an emergency dentist in this article, should you need one. Maintaining a regular oral care routine with a dentist or dental hygienist can help prevent some of the expected oral health problems. It also means that you’ll only need to make 2 visits a year to Dentist Worcester as opposed to 4 if your oral health is in a bad state.

Medical studies and research have shown that bacteria in the mouth have been linked to heart and lung diseases, diabetes, pneumonia, and other health problems. An RDHAP (Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice/Mobile Dental Hygienist-accepts Medi-Cal and most insurances) can help start a dental hygiene program for a Skilled Nursing Facility, Intermediate Care Facility, and private homes. RDHAP services can help prevent health problems that are caused by dental plaque and calculus. Therefore, the overall health of a person may be enhanced with improved oral health. Again, the importance of regular checkups with your Dentist Avon Lake cannot be overstressed.

For more information , please call 200-7756.

George and Judy Sandoval strut their stuff during a previous classic car show and party at Cypress Place

Enjoy a blast from the past at the Cypress Place Senior Living Classic Car Show & 70’s party on Wednesday September 16th from 5:00p.m. to 7:00p.m.  There will be plenty of good old-fashioned fun, so put on your bell bottom pants and platform shoes and come join the fun and festivities.

“Our car show is an annual event for us,” said Steve Spira, executive director at Cypress Place Senior Living.  “But for this year’s event, we’re changing it up a bit with a 1970’s theme, and also kicking off a fundraiser to collect suitcases for children in the Ventura County Foster Care Program.”

From September 16th through October 16th, 2015, the senior community will be accepting donations of a new or used suitcase to be given to one of the many foster children in Ventura County.  Once the suitcases have been collected, Cypress Place will invite the foster children to the senior community to present them with their very own suitcase according to Spira.

Emcee Bruce Barrios, named the #1 DJ in Ventura County, will spin the tunes for this fun-filled event, featuring classic cars, music, food, dancing, and prizes for best car, best dancers and best outfit.  A new or used suitcase, or a $10 donation per person, is requested for admission.

“Our seniors are so excited for this event, because not only will there wonderful food and entertainment, but they know it will help make a difference in the lives of local children right here in our community,” said Yvonne Knepper, one of the marketing directors at Cypress Place.

The event is open to the public.  Free shuttle parking will also be available at Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura, 5654 Ralston St, at the corner of Cypress Point Lane and Ralston Street.

If you are looking for a blast from the past, put on your best 70’s outfit, grab a suitcase, and come strut your stuff under the glow of a disco ball, all while supporting the children in the Ventura County Foster Care program.

Cypress Place Senior Living is a premiere senior community in Ventura County.   The beautiful senior living campus features an Active Senior Living community and adjacent Assisted Living and Alzheimer’s/Dementia Care community connected by a lushly landscaped courtyard.

This safe, loving environment offers residents a continuum of care through life’s transitions.  Amenities include three meals daily, weekly housekeeping, transportation, activities, utilities, as well as personal caregivers and laundry service in the Assisted Living and Memory Care communities.

Cypress Place Senior Living is located at 1200/1220 Cypress Point Lane.  For more information or to RSVP, please call 650-8000 or visit their web site at www.cypressplaceseniorliving.com.

On Wednesday September 9, from 1PM to 3PM, the Ventura Parkinson’s Support Group is hosting Tamara Backer, LSVT Loud Certified Speech Language Pathologist and Christina Malone, LSVT Big Certified Physical Therapist from Two Trees Physical Therapy and Wellness of Ventura. Reservations are not required.

The meeting will be held at The Lexington Assisted Living at 5440 Ralston Street on the third floor. Please check in at the front desk for directions and sign-in. Extra parking is graciously available across the street from the Lexington in the Baptist Church parking lot. Call 766-6070 for further information. Reservations are not required.