Q: What will Senior Concerns’ February caregiving seminar have in store? A: “The Emotional Ups and Downs of Caregiving” will take place from 4:30-6 p.m. Feb. 12. The session will review techniques for caregivers to care for themselves emotionally. The speaker will be Felice Urban, a licensed clinical social worker. She will answer questions such as: Is there a normal way to feel about being a caregiver? What does it mean to have positive and negative emotions about caregiving? Urban will address the interaction between physical and emotional health. She will talk about the ability to identify emotions and show how to increase the more positive emotions in caregiving. Reservations are suggested and can be made by calling 497-0189. Respite care is available so caregivers can attend, and it can be arranged when guests make reservations. Q: I no longer drive and have recently begun using senior transportation programs. Is there a place where I can get information and give input on how my transportation needs could be better met? A: The Ventura County Transportation Commission is holding public hearings this month to hear views on public transit needs. It will take input on public transit service needs in Ventura County and among Ventura, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara counties. People can give their opinions at public hearings in Moorpark and Oxnard. The Moorpark session will be from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the city of Moorpark Community Center, 799 Moorpark Ave. The Oxnard session will be from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Oxnard Transportation Center, 201 E. Fourth St. Written comments may be mailed to the Ventura County Transportation Commission Unmet Transit Needs Process, 950 County Square Drive, Suite 207, Ventura, CA 93003. Emails are accepted through the website https://www.goventura.org and faxes at 642-4860. The phone number for customer comments is 800-438-1112. Q: How do I support community programs without spending a lot of additional money? A: There are things that can help your community that you do in your day-to-day life without spending an extra penny. Some merchants have programs in which you can register your favorite charity to receive a percent of proceeds. Ask the merchants you frequent whether they have such a program. Many restaurants dedicate a night to donate to particular nonprofits. Corporations have foundations that match contributions from their employers. If you still work, ask whether your company participates. It never hurts to ask who is helping the community. If you ask and they don’t currently participate, they may start as a result of your request. HAPPENINGS Sunday: Goebel Antiques Bazaar. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road in Thousand Oaks. For information call 381-2744. More …
