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Village Santa Cruz County
Aging Better Together
The Village News
October 2024 |
Remembering Ron Whipp
Our dear Village member, Ron Whipp, passed away on September 18, 2025. Ron was part of Village Santa Cruz County from the beginning, part of the planning committee starting in 2015 and a valued board member up until his Parkinson's disease limited his participation. His wisdom guided us on many decisions. His quietly delivered wry sense of humor was delivered just at the right moments. Mostly, he was the type of person whose kindness and goodness is sorely missed.
Ron is survived by his wife, Dukh Niwaran, a Village Santa Cruz Mid-County Circle leader and board member. We want to extend to you, Dukh Niwaran, our condolences for your loss.
There will be a memorial service for Ron on Saturday, October 18 at Benito Chapel, 1050 Cayuga St, 95062. Following the formal program (speakers and music) will be a finger-food potluck gathering.
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Rummikub Social Club
Our group has so much fun, we've increased meet-ups from once a month to twice month. | |
Village Men's Lunch
The men of Village Santa Cruz County had their 1st luncheon at Tramonti Restaurant. They have decided to continue with a monthly men's lunch. | | |
HICAP Presentation
hosted by Village Santa Cruz County
Friday, November 7
10:30 – 11:30 AM
at the Volunteer Center
1740 17th Ave.
It's that time of the year again, October 15 - December 7, is the window of opportunity to choose or change your plan.
During this presentation, the HICAP presenter, will talk about any changes to the plans and providers for Santa Cruz County, as well as give us tips on making the best choice for our individual situations.
RSVP
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Disaster Ready Workshop
Wednesday, October 29, 12 – 1 PM
At the Quaker Center
225 Rooney Str. Santa Cruz
Cohosted by the Volunteer Center’s Empowered Aging Program
and Village Santa Cruz County
During this hour we'll go through the basic steps of disaster readiness. Updated disaster-ready pamphlets will be given out, plus some other goodies for your disaster go-pak.
Whether you've gone through this before or it's your first time, in our earthquake, flood, fire, and tsunami region, it's important to review and update your information yearly.
RSVP
Be Disaster Ready
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Village Movement California
Statewide Conference
September 11- 12
Village Movement California's 7th annual conference brought together 130 Village leaders, policymakers, healthcare partners, and advocates from across California, united by our shared mission of building stronger communities where older adults can age with health, dignity, and connection.
The conference highlighted both the challenges and opportunities within our movement, particularly how we're "promoting interdependence in an incredibly independent society" while ensuring that no one has to age alone.
Keynote speaker, Dr. Carla Perissinotto, MD from UCSF School of Medicine, a leading geriatrician and researcher on social isolation, explored the critical role of social care in addressing the complex needs of California's most vulnerable older adults. Drawing from her groundbreaking research on loneliness as a health risk and her clinical experience, Dr. Perissinotto examined how innovative social care models – including villages, neighborhood networks, and community-based interventions – can bridge the gap between medical care and social well-being.
Citing both the 2025 World Health Organization Commission on Social Connection (see below - after the Coming UP section) and former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy's Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community Download Here, Dr. Perissinotto sees Villages as a model "Social Well-Being" organization.
After a day of workshops and presentations, Village members from around the state, relax and get to know each other better over diner at Fox & Goose Public House.
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October Book Group Read:
The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri. The book is centered around the lives of two brothers, Subhash and Udayan, born in Calcutta during the tumultuous aftermath of World War II. Despite their close bond, they lead very different lives; Subhash is cautious and academic, while Udayan is impulsive and drawn into radical political movements.
Other Recommendations by Village members:
The Happiness Files, by Arthor Brooks. “The Happiness Files: Insights on Work and Life is a curated collection of science-based wisdom from Harvard Business School professor and bestselling author Arthur C. Brooks. Drawing from his popular “How to Build a Life” column in The Atlantic, Brooks presents practical strategies for achieving both happiness and success in work and personal life. The book provides actionable insights backed by rigorous research from psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral economics.”
When the Cranes Fly South, by Lisa Ridzen. A profoundly moving debut novel that follows an elderly man's struggle to maintain autonomy over his own life: an emotional story of love, friendship, fatherhood, and atonement.
Bo is running out of time. Yet time is one of the few things he's got left. These days, his quiet existence is broken up only by daily visits from his home care team. Fortunately, he still has his beloved elkhound Sixten to keep him company … though now his son insists upon taking the dog away, claiming that Bo has grown too old to properly care for him. The threat of losing Sixten stirs up a whirlwind of emotion, leading Bo to take stock of his life, his relationships, and the imperfect way he's expressed his love over the years.
Fifty Words for Rain, by Asha Lemmie. In post-World War II Japan, Nori, the illegitimate daughter of a Japanese aristocrat and a Black American GI, is hidden away on her grandmother’s estate to conceal the family shame. All Nori knows is the attic she is confined to until she meets her legitimate half-brother, Akira, a boy who shows her the world contains so much more.
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Recommendations from
the TV/Movie Discussion Group
Village members settle in at the Stanford Movie Theater before the start of 'Bringing Up Baby'. Every summer the Stanford Movie Theater in Palo Alto runs a oldies movies series, with double-feature oldies movies.
TV:
"Resident Alien," Netflix, 2 seasons, funny, humanizing. It stars Alan Tudyk in the title role as an extraterrestrial who crash lands on Earth with the inent to destroy the planet but develops a moral dilemma.
"Glass Dome," Netflix, Swedish. Creepy, but riveting. A woman tries to cope with her past abduction and imprisonment in a glass dome. Based on a popular Swedish novel by Camilla Lackberg.
"Penguin Lessons," Netflix, British/Argentinian. A somewhat comedic, somewhat emotional movie set in a British-like boarding school in Buenos Aires, Argentina. A disillusioned British teacher adopts a penguin that he rescues from an oil slick and brings to the school. Stars Steve Coogan. Very enjoyable and heartwarming.
"Toxic Town," Netflix, Scottish. Four-episode series based on a real environmental poisoning that occurred in Scotland in 1995 which resulted in birth defects in a town's pregnant mothers. The mothers fight for restitution. Very satisfying story.
"The Let Down," Netflix, Australian. Two-season series that is very funny about a woman who is finding it difficult to cope with having a new baby and being a nursing mother while trying to still have a relatively normal life. Most funny for those who have been in this situation themselves.
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Co-generational Connections
As Village Santa Cruz County nears the end our 2025 initiative, "Co-generational Connections" I wanted to reflect on the experience. Our monthly Co-generational Coffeehouse Chats have been very rewarding for those of us who have participated, with conversations rich, varied, and enjoyed by both elders and youngers.
Through this program we talked with UCSC students hoping to become doctors, young people who have started their own non-profits, a couple of tattoo artists, a masseuse working down in Big Sur, a re-entry woman studying for her bar exam, a psychology professor and many others.
We met young adults born and raised in Santa Cruz as well as international folks. Each person brought their own unique story. Each one was curious about Village Santa Cruz.
Together we enjoyed bowling, hosted a clay building workshop, and met students in the Smith Society, a program that supports foster youth at UCSC.
So many young people talked about the difficulty of finding housing in Santa Cruz County. This led us to explore the issue of co-housing, meeting with experts in this field and offering a Co-housing Conversations Event, which was open to the public. We continue to explore the topic and how to further connect community members interested in communal living across generations.
Good news! We have so enjoyed our co-generational conversations, that we will continue the Coffeehouse Chats into 2026, the third Tuesday of every month. | |
When Intergenerational Connection Meets A.I.
Eldera.ai, the Era for Elders, is a platform for intergenerational mentorship, using AI to enhance - not replace - human connection. Older adults (60+ years old) become mentors and friends for young people (6 to 17 years old) over weekly virtual conversations.
The "AI Chaperone" helps match mentors and mentees. Every mentor undergoes a vetting process including criminal background checks and identity verification.
Video sessions take place on a secure platform, are recorded for safety, and follow eldera's guidelines. The "AI Chaperone" monitors for potential risk in conversations, parents can review session recordings and the eldera trust & safety team monitors interactions. Learn more at https://www.eldera.ai/
Becoming an “Elder in Training”
D. F. Tweney embraces the support and wisdom of Dharma teachers as a retreat facilitator, by D.F. Tweeny, September 11, 2025. “For this retreat, a sort of intergenerational division of labor has emerged. Melanie (Wake Up age) and I (a member of Gen X) are the organizers, while Wendy, Maxine, and Earl (all Baby Boomers) are the teachers.
Retreat attendees include these three generations. Melanie and I see part of our role as attending to these elders: helping them feel comfortable and taking care of procedural issues so they can focus on being present and offering their teachings to everyone in the retreat.” Read the entire article here.
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BRAVO Gathering
Gail Greely, of Village Santa Cruz County, joined with about a dozen other Villages for the summer gathering of the Bay Regional Association of Villages (BRAVO).
The meeting, held in Sausalito, California on August 25, featured as the keynote speaker, Geropsychologist Dr. Elizabeth Sutherland, who guided a conversation about members experiencing various challenges and how to address them. Attendees also learned about a new networking tool created by NEXT Village San Francisco designed to help members connect with each other over shared interests outside of regularly scheduled activities. | |
Medical Alert Systems
When is it time? There isn’t a specific age when people should get a medical alert system. But there are some signs someone could use a medical alert system:
1.) Previous falls: Falls are one of the biggest risks medical alert systems help address. Falls are the leading Cause of injuries for adults 65+, and falling once doubles your risk of falling again.
2.) A “long lie” fall (when you fall and spend a long time on the ground because you’re unable to get up): Long lies may be linked to several health problems like dehydration, pressure injuries, muscle and tissue damage, and psychological harm. More than 75% of people 65+ who fall need help to get up from the floor.
3.) Health/mobility issues: Anyone with balance, mobility, or other health issues may have a higher risk of falling. A medical alert system can automatically get them help if they fall.
4.) Live alone/want to “age in place” (stay in the home of their choosing as you get older instead of moving to a nursing home or assisted living facility): According to Research using a medical alert system while aging in place can improve users’ sense of safety and security at home.
5.) An active lifestyle: Medical alert systems can help you stay active. Using a medical alert system has shown to make people more active around the house.
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The Most Important Medical Alert System Features. If you’ve never used a medical alert system before, it can be difficult to know what features you need. Which are essential, and which can you skip to save a little money? The National Council on Aging’s webpage can help you; go to https://www.ncoa.org/article/medical-alert-features/
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Become a Member of Village Santa Cruz County
|  | Coming UP in October
Members will receive Zoom information in weekly eBlasts.
If you are not yet a Village member but would like to join one of our events, to meet some Village members, please contact
info@villagesantacruz.org
Wednesday, October 1, Aptos Circle Chat, 1:00 – 2:30 PM, @ Aptos Methodist Church, 221 Thunderbird Drive, Aptos. Relax with a cup of coffee or tea and catch up on what's happening with your Circle friends. Curious about Village? Open to all. Non-members are welcome to join us.
Wednesday, October 1, SLV Walks, 1:00 - 2:30 PM, @ Quail Hollow Ranch, 800 Quail Hollow Rd.
Thursday, October 2, Solo Agers, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM, @ Downtown Santa Cruz Library, 224 Church Str. We meet once a month to talk about how we deal with various issues and to offer aid and support. Topic for Oct. Mindfulness - How to stay mindfulness as we meet challenges in our lives. Note time change!
Thursday, October 2, Bocce, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, @ Felt Street Park, 1904 Felt Street, Santa Cruz. Come play Bocce with us! All members welcome. Bocce Ball is simple to learn, it's a lot of fun, and good exercise (not to mention the great company). Come try it out. Cancelled in the event of rain or wet court.
Thursday, October 2, Westside Circle Chat, 1:00 - 2:00 PM, @ The Abbey Coffeehouse, 350 Mission St. Relax with a cup of coffee or tea and catch up on what's happening with your Circle friends. Curious about Village? Open to all. Non-members are welcome to join us.
Tuesday, October 7, Pickleball, 10:00 - 11:00 AM, @ Derby Park, 508 Woodland Way, Santa Cruz, All levels, including beginners are welcome. Contact info@villagesantacruz.org for more information.
Tuesday, October 7, Rummikub Social Club, 12:00 - 1:30ish, (sometimes later but it's OK to leave whenever you need to) @ Leila's mobile home park clubhouse in Capitola. Rummikub is a fun board game for everyone. Easy to learn. We spice up the game with a little wagering on the side, so bring your spare change (pennies, nickels and dimes).
Wednesday, October 8, SLV Circle Chat, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM, @ Cowboy Diner, 5447 Hwy 9, Felton. Relax with a cup of coffee or tea and catch up on what's happening with your Circle friends. Curious about Village? Open to all. Non-members are welcome to join us. Note location change!
Thursday, October 9, Bocce, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, @ Felt Street Park, 1904 Felt Street, Santa Cruz. Come play Bocce with us! All members welcome. Bocce Ball is simple to learn, it's a lot of fun, and good exercise (not to mention the great company). Come try it out. Cancelled in the event of rain or wet court.
Thursday, October 9, Advisory Board Monthly Meeting, 12:30 PM - 2:15 PM, Join on Zoom. All Village members are invited to attend our monthly planning meeting. Email info@villagesantacruz.org if you plan to attend, so that we can send you the agenda.
Friday, October 10, Village Santa Cruz Men's Luncheon, 1:00 - 2:30 PM, @ Tramonti Italian Restaurant, 528 Seabright Ave. Santa Cruz. For more information, contact info@villagesantacruz.org
Monday, October 13, Westside Circle: Life Stories, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM @ Robin's home. Topic: Sleep. Do you have problems falling to sleep or staying asleep all night? We'll share our 'sleep stories', including different methods we use to get a good night's sleep.
Tuesday, October 14, Pickleball, 10:00 - 11:00 AM, @ Derby Park, 508 Woodland Way, Santa Cruz, All levels, including beginners are welcome.
Tuesday, October 14, Mid County Circle Chat, 1:30 - 2:30 PM, @ Starbucks inside Nob Hill, 809 Bay Ave. Capitola. Curious about Village? Open to all. Non-members are welcome to join us.
Wednesday, October 15, Aptos Circle Luncheon, 1:00 – 2:30 PM, @ TBD. Open to Aptos Circle Members only.
Wednesday, October 15, SLV Walks, 1:00 - 2:30 PM, @ Location Varies, call Mary K. or Karen for more information.
Thursday, October 16, Bocce, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, @ Felt Street Park, 1904 Felt Street, Santa Cruz. Come play Bocce with us! All members welcome. Bocce Ball is simple to learn, it's a lot of fun, and good exercise (not to mention the great company). Come try it out. Cancelled in the event of rain or wet court.
Friday, October 17, Book Group Read: Book: The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri. 1:00 - 2:00 PM, @ Simpkins Swim Center Library Annex, 979 17th Ave. Santa Cruz, Meeting Room C. Look above for a description of this book.
Tuesday, October 21, Pickleball, 10:00 - 11:00 AM, @ Derby Park, 508 Woodland Way, Santa Cruz, All levels, including beginners are welcome.
Tuesday, October 21, Co-Generational Coffee House Chat, 1:00 - 2:00 PM, @ The Abbey, 530 Mission Str., Santa Cruz. The third Tuesday of each month, a group of Village members meet and invite whoever happens to be at the coffeehouse to join us just to talk. Contact Mary Howe villagescmhowe@gmail.com if you’d like to join us.
Wednesday, October 22, SLV Circle Chat, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM, @ the Treehouse, 13266 Hwy 9, Boulder Creek. Relax with a cup of coffee or tea and catch up on what's happening with your Circle friends. Curious about Village? Open to all. Non-members are welcome to join us. Note location change!
Thursday, October 23, Bocce, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, @ Felt Street Park, 1904 Felt Street, Santa Cruz. Come play Bocce with us! All members welcome. Bocce Ball is simple to learn, it's a lot of fun, and good exercise (not to mention the great company). Come try it out. Cancelled in the event of rain or wet court.
Thursday, October 23, TV/Movie Discussion Group, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Join on Zoom. Look at the recommendations above for suggestions on what to watch. Please note date change!
Friday, October 24, Westcliff Walks, 10:30 - 11:30 AM, We will walk along Westcliff Dr. Meet in the parking lot of Shrine Coffee. 544 Westcliff Ave.
Monday, October 27, Memoir Writing, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM. Each month we meet to read a short piece and listen to other members read their stories. Open to new members. Contact Mary Howe villagescmhowe@gmail.com for more information.
Tuesday, October 28, Pickleball, 10:00 - 11:00 AM, @ Derby Park, 508 Woodland Way, Santa Cruz, All levels, including beginners are welcome.
Tuesday, October 28, Rummikub Social Club, 12:00 - 1:30ish, (sometimes later but it's OK to leave whenever you need to) @ Leila's mobile home park clubhouse in Capitola. Rummikub is a fun board game for everyone. Easy to learn. We spice up the game with a little wagering on the side, so bring your spare change (pennies, nickels and dimes).
Tuesday, October 28, Mid-County Luncheon, 12:30 - 1:30 PM, @ TBD
Wednesday, October 29, Disaster Ready Presentation, 12:00 - 1:00 PM, @ the Quaker Center, 225 Rooney Str. Santa Cruz. Open to the public. To register, contact info@villagesantacruz.org, go to our registration event page on the calendar. or call Ares Bartell at 831-205-0160. For more information about this event download the flyer.
Thursday, October 30, Bocce, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, @ Felt Str. Park, 1904 Felt Street, Santa Cruz. Come play Bocce with us! All members welcome. Cancelled in the event of rain or wet court.
|  | | World Health Organization (WHO) Commission on Social Connection, Summary Report, June 2025.
This landmark report from the WHO Commission on Social Connection highlights that social isolation and loneliness are widespread, with serious but under-recognized impacts on health, well-being, and society.
Drawing on the latest evidence, the report makes a compelling case for urgent action. It outlines practical, scalable solutions to strengthen social connection – and calls on policymakers, researchers and all sectors to treat social health with the same urgency as physical and mental health.
The Commissioners envision a future where stronger social bonds improve well-being, reduce preventable deaths, boost education and economic resilience, and ease the social and financial burden of disconnection. This report is a call to act – and an invitation to build a more connected, healthier world.
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In Our Community
Wednesday, October 1, Speakeasy Night with Plateau Jazz Band, at Woodhouse Blending & Brewing, 119 Madrone St. (across from the Gateway Shopping Plaza on River Street. Free dance lessons 6-7 pm by Thorin Brentmar & Rebecca Tivang. Live swing dance music 7-9 pm by Plateau Jazz Band.
Friday, Oct. 3, 3:00 - 5:00 PM, Senior Resource Fair, at the Watsonville Civic Plaza Community Room, (6th floor), 275 Main Str. Watsonville. This free, community-wide event is a one-stop shop for older adults to connect with essential services, from housing and healthcare to legal aid and social activities.
Saturdays and Sundays, 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Santa Cruz County Open Studios, 40th Annual Open Studios Art Tour. Open Studios features a diverse group of over 340 artists from emerging to professional, working in 22 mediums. South County, Oct. 4 & 5, North County, Oct. 11 & 12, All County, Oct. 18 & 19. Discover artist studios all around the county during the 40th Santa Cruz County Open Studios. For more information and to see the artist directory, go to their website.
Wednesday, Oct. 8 through Sunday, Oct. 12, the 25th Santa Cruz Film Festival. Experience the cinematic spirit of the Central Coast as the Santa Cruz Film Festival celebrates 25 years of movie magic. Over five unforgettable days this October, the city comes alive with world-class films fresh from Sundance, SXSW, and Tribeca, intimate conversations with visiting filmmakers, and lively parties under the Santa Cruz sky. From boundary-pushing documentaries to electrifying narratives, SCFF invites you to immerse yourself in the moving-image arts and connect with a community that thrives on creativity. For locations, list of films, and tickets, go to Santa Cruz Film Festival Upcoming Events.
Saturday, Oct. 11, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Family Resource Faire, at Highlands Park Senior and Community Center, 8500 Hwy 9, Ben Lomond. This free, community-wide event is a one-stop shop for older adults to connect with essential services, from housing and healthcare to legal aid and social activities.
Help shape the future of Santa Cruz County! Take a community survey on the next Strategic Plan. Santa Cruz County is asking residents to help shape the future by filling out a short survey that will guide the county’s next Strategic Plan, which sets priorities for 2026-2032.
The Strategic Plan is the county’s roadmap for action — laying out community priorities, tracking progress and helping departments and partners work together toward a shared vision. From health and housing to safety, the economy and the environment, the plan reflects what matters most to county residents. By filling out the survey, residents will help identify focus areas, shape goals and determine how progress should be measured. Results will be presented to the Board of Supervisors in 2026.
Take the survey at County of Santa Cruz Strategic Plan 2026. The survey is available in English and Spanish. Make your voice heard!
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Articles, Videos, and Listening
Falls among the elderly are up dramatically and are causing deaths. Here is a look from the New York Times at what may be the causes, including prescription drugs. Read the article here.
What to give someone who doesn't need or want anything? A memory box. The simple gift of a box filled with notes describing pleasant memories you and others share with someone. Learn about this special gift in an article from Next Avenue.
Alzheimer's disease: are health systems ready? The Lancet, Sept. 25, 2025. “Dementia is a major public health challenge. 55 million people live with dementia worldwide. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 50–70% of cases, and around 69 million people with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease will develop dementia within a few years.” Read the article.
When a dying friend keeps their distance, remember, it's not about you, it's about their choices. Learn why our friends may wish to keep their distance when gravely ill and going into hospice, in this AARP article.
The Best Years of Your Life, Hidden Brain podcast, August 11, 2025. “Aging isn’t just a biological process. Our outlooks and emotions also change as we age, often in ways that boost our well-being. This week, we revisit a favorite conversation with psychologist Laura Carstensen, who helps us unpack the science behind this surprising finding, and shares what all of us can learn from older people.” Listen to the podcast.
Routine vaccines could prevent dementia – here's how. February, 6, 2025, by Pria Joi, GAVI. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance is a public-private partnership that helps vaccinate more than half the world’s children against some of the world's deadliest diseases.
Viruses can cause damage to the brain, which is why evidence is emerging that vaccines against illnesses like diphtheria or flu could help protect against neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s.https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/routine-vaccines-could-prevent-dementia-heres-how
Study strengthens link between shingles vaccine and lower dementia risk, by Nina Bai, Stanford Medicine News Center, April 2, 2025. A new analysis of a vaccination program in Wales found that the shingles vaccine appeared to lower new dementia diagnoses by 20% — more than any other known intervention. https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2025/03/shingles-vaccination-dementia.html
Past exposure to vaccines and subsequent risk of Alzheimer's disease, National Library of Medicine. It has been suggested that changes to the immune system could be a factor in age-related conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. Our objective was to examine the association between past exposure to conventional vaccines and risk of Alzheimer's disease. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC81665/
Want to Access the NY Times? Here's How: According to Santa Cruz Public Libraries, anyone can get a free library card at Santa Cruz County public libraries and then have online access to all NYTimes articles. Besides reading the paper itself at any branch, you can also get full access to the online version. (You must first Register for an account or log in with an existing NYT account). Then, for remote access (from home or from your phone), use this link and follow these instructions. Please contact your local SC Library branch if you have further questions or for additional assistance.
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1740 17th Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
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