QUESTION: I am looking for information about a variety of services and wonder if there is a single place where I can start my search. Do you have any suggestions?
ANSWER: You are looking for an expo type event where many service providers are gathered together under one roof — and you are in luck as the Conejo Senior Volunteer Program is having its 3rd annual Wellness Fest this month.
This free “Island of Health & Wellness Fest” is scheduled for Jan. 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Goebel Adult Community Center, 1385 E. Janss Road in Thousand Oaks.
More than 65 providers of information and services will be on hand for attendees to talk to and get to know what services are available.
The day will feature free health screenings, lunch (pick up a free lunch ticket in advance at Goebel’s front desk), games, raffles, prizes and copies of the new resource directory. Participants will be able to “ask the doctor” and “ask the lawyer.” There will be insurance and financial specialists, Area Agency on Aging personnel and Senior Concerns Senior Advocates in attendance.
Entertainment will include music, a big band, ukulele players and much more. The island theme will be carried out through décor and attire.
Sponsors of this popular event include Los Robles Hospital and Medical Center, Atria Senior Living and Home Helpers. Proceeds will help support the Conejo Senior Volunteer Program.
The CSVP has worked for more than 40 years to provide meaningful volunteer opportunities for adults age 55 and older in the Conejo Valley. Last year more than 1,000 CSVP volunteers worked more than 180,000 hours at Mary Health of the Sick, Stagecoach Inn Museum and the Thousand Oaks Police Department — known as Volunteering in Policing or VIP — to name a few. This time allotment of meaningful community engagement provides physical and mental stimulation that has proven to be essential for maintaining health and wellness in retirement.
In addition, independent research estimates this volunteer work to be valued at nearly $5,000,000 in human resource contributions. This undertaking creates a win-win result with the senior staying active and healthy and the public services able to better serve the community.
This event should be both educational and fun. For more information, call 381-2742.
Remember to pick up a free lunch ticket (limited to the first 300 attendees) at Goebel’s front desk before the day of the event. Hope to see you there. QUESTION: The past two months have been very busy with holiday celebrations and many educational and entertaining presentations, expos and seminars. January, by contrast, is usually a rather quiet month. Do you know of any activities already planned for next month?
ANSWER: Before we get to January functions, there are two December celebrations yet to come.
First, on Friday, the Simi Valley Council on Aging is sponsoring “Come Celebrate New Year’s Eve Early.” The event is from 7-11 p.m. at the Simi Valley Senior Center, 3900 Avenida Simi. Tickets are $10. For reservations, call 583-6363.
The second December function will be a “New Year’s Celebration” from 6-9 p.m. Saturday at the Goebel Adult Community Center, 1385 E. Janss Road in Thousand Oaks. The evening will include dinner and entertainment. Tickets are $30. For reservations, call 381-2744.
Now let’s look at how 2017 will start.
The Thousand Oaks Council on Aging’s meeting speaker will be Dr. Diana Sarkisyan of the UCLA Health System, who will address “Nutrition and Bone Health” at 1 p.m. Jan. 4 in the Board Room at the Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. in Thousand Oaks. The meeting will be televised and, after the television portion is completed, Dr. Sarkisyan will take questions.
Also on Jan. 4, the Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association will hold its monthly Diabetes Class at 10:30 a.m. at the Simi Valley Senior Center, 3900 Avenida Simi, and at 2:30 p.m. at the Camarillo Community Center, 1605 Burnley St. The class also will be offered at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at the Goebel Adult Community Center, 1385 E. Janss Road in Thousand Oaks.
The Goebel Senior Center Commission will continue its History Comes Alive Series with Wyatt McCrea presenting “The Life and Times of Joel McCrea and Frances Dee” at 2 p.m Jan. 15. Tickets are $5 and are available at the Goebel Center.
The Conejo Senior Volunteer Program will sponsor the 3rd annual Wellness Fest from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Goebel Adult Community Center. The free event will provide an opportunity to meet with the many organizations that provide senior services and will include free services, refreshments, information and entertainment.
Senior Concerns will offer a four-week meditation series ”Relieve Stress & Promote Wellness through Meditation” starting Jan. 23 at the Agoura Hills Recreation and Event Center, 29900 Ladyface Court. For more information, call the advocate’s office at 495-6250.
A lecture series titled Path to Positive Aging also will be sponsored by Senior Concerns. The first lecture in the series, “Life Care Planning,” will be from 5:30-7 p.m. Jan. 24 at Senior Concerns Day Care Center, 401 Hodencamp Road in Thousand Oaks.
In addition to these activities, it is time to register for OSHER Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) classes. Registration is in progress for classes that will start in January. If you have not received your current catalog, call 437-2748. Don’t miss out on these interesting classes.
Note: I want to take this opportunity to wish each and everyone a very happy and peaceful new year.
