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 scheduled for next month?

ANSWER:  From what has crossed my desk in the past few weeks it looks like January will be another busy month with a variety of events to select from.  There are events scattered from the first week of the month to the last.

Beginning with the first week the Thousand Oaks Council on Aging meeting on Wednesday January 6 when Monique Nowlin, Deputy Director of the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging will address fall prevention in a presentation “A Step in the Right Direction.”  The meeting starts at one o’clock and is in the Board Room at the Civic Arts Plaza in Thousand Oaks.

The third week of January offers two events.  On Tuesday January 19 Senior Concerns will offer a seminar about expanding transportation options.  The program “Uber Assist and Uber WAV (wheelchair accessible vehicles) will provide information about its availability for seniors and families in Ventura County.  The seminar will be at Senior Concerns Day Care Center, 401 Hodencamp Road in Thousand Oaks.  For more information and reservations call (805) 497-0189.

The second event in the third week is the 2nd Annual Wellness Fest from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Wednesday January 20, sponsored by the Conejo Senior Volunteer Program (CSVP).  It will be at the Goebel Adult Community Center and will provide an opportunity to meet with the many organizations that provide senior services.  The day will include free services, refreshments, information and entertainment.

The fourth week in January will offer three events.  On Tuesday January 26 Senior Concerns will open its Empowered Caregiver Series for 2016.  The first seminar “Improving Your Caregiving Experience:  Finding the Support You Need” will addess recognizing loneliness, compassionate conversations and how, when and where to ask for help.  The seminar will be from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at Senior Concerns Day Care Center.

On Thursday January 28 the Camarillo Council on Aging will offer “Senior Transportation Options – Drive or NOT, Van and Bus.”  The presentation will be from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon at the City Council Chambers, 601 Carman Drive in Camarillo.  Speakers from the DMV, City of Camarillo, Camarillo Health Care District, Ventura County Transportation Commission and Mobility Management Partner will provide information on the many forms of transportation available.  For more information call Camarillo City Hall (805) 388-5397 or Pleasant Valley Senior Center (805) 482-4881,

Saturday January 30 Senior Concerns will present the 2nd Annual Caregiver Recognition Day – – “Caregivers Matter – – -Conejo Cares.”  The event runs from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm and will be held at Los Robles Greens, 299 Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks.  This half-day event and lunch will honor family caregivers who are caring for aging loved ones.  Admission is free and reservations are required and may be made at (805) 497-0189.

And last but not least the Goebel Commission’s History Comes Alive series will present “Hedda Hopper’s Hollywood.  It is planned for Sunday January 31.  The program begins at 2:00 pm and the cost is $5.00.  For more information call the Goebel Center at (805) 381-2744.

In addition if you are considering volunteering there are two organizations looking for good people.  The Conejo Senior Volunteer Program (CSVP) is looking for people interested in their income tax program.  Training starts in January  and income tax services begin in February.  For more information call Rick at (805) 381-2742.  The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is also looking for a few good people throughout Ventura County.  Their new volunteer training program will be in the first week of February.  For more information call Kathy at (805) 656-1986 ext 101.  Both of these organizations provide exceptional services to our senior population.

That’s just a sample of what to expect in 2016 – looks like it will be another busy year.  Keep an eye on this column for details and programs in future months.

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