Seniors in Motion

from Dolores St. Louis

A FOND FAREWELL TO “SENIORS IN MOTION”

Dear Readers, the time has come for me to hang my “Seniors in Motion” writer’s cap.

I have enjoyed every minute of writing articles for this column. I have met many lovely people, as I have traveled from program to program, or event to event. With my trusty digital camera in hand, I was able to take on the spot photos, which added interest to my column…You have heard the old saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words”. This is so true.

I would love to see the column continue to grow and blossom. If you are interested in becoming a writer for “Seniors in Motion”, please pull up www.hillquest.com/Community/SeniorsinMotion and view the articles (many are in the archives) for an idea of what to expect. You may have a wonderful new perspective.

At a point of interest, e-mail Ann at adinkann@cox.net and introduce yourself. Ann Garwood and Nancy Moors are publishers of the Annual Hillquest Urban Guide, which will be out shortly. The guide covers a multitude of ongoing activities and special events, and biographies of local citizens: business owners, political figures, and other notables.

The Publishers keep the Website, mentioned above, up and running on daily activities and events in Hillcrest and surrounding areas. They have extended an invitation to anyone, who has something of community interest to share, to send in an article.

In the meantime, pull up “The Scroll, San Diego” on the internet to keep posted on current senior activities in and around Hillcrest and Balboa Park. It is the new, June, July, August issue, published and sponsored by the San Diego City Park Department Senior Citizens Services. You can find copies of “The Scroll” at all places of activity, or you can call Senior Citizen Services 619-236-6905 for information.

My sincere good wishes, Dolores St. Louis

37th ANNUAL SENIOR TALENT SHOW ENDED, A SMASH HIT

Thursday, 3/15/2012, San Diego’s Got Talent Show and Luncheon was presented to 500 attendees, including performers and volunteers. Many folks, who came to see the show, had to be turned away due to maximum capacity. Bummer! But, if you did not get to see the show and would like to order a DVD of it, just call the Senior Services Offices, 619-236-6905, and mail a $10.00 check to DSAC, Senior Services, 202 C Street MS 1A, San Diego, CA 92101.

As expected, the show presented a wonderful array of talent; solo vocalists, duets, trios, dancers (solos and teams), musicians, and monologists. WOW! Among them, were talents from previous well known performers and new talents, just selected by our judging committee from the Talent Auditions in January….I was happy to be on the judging team. It was a fun filled experience viewing all these newly presented talented seniors. Out of a field of 46, 23 were ultimately chosen for the big show……The decision was a difficult one, as each contestant showed well.

I am reluctant to mention individual talents as all performers were marvelous (they had to be, or they would not have been in this great show). However, there were three new performances that were over the top for originality. The Golden Girls, the smash hit sitcom spanning 1985 to 1992, introduced waves of nostalgia. The skit “All Wrinkled Up” was classic and tremendously clever with flirty Blanche Devereaux, serious minded Dorothy Petrillo Zbornak, naïve Rose Nyland, and “say it the way it is” Sophia Petrillo, rendering their usual wise cracks; portrayed by Patti Giles, Barb Patterson, Debra Holmes, and Mary Hocking.

Earl Chinn and Stan Taylor created an original comedy routine featuring the wonderful old tune “Old Man River”, whereby the vocalist (Chinn), who is “doing his best” to sing a solo, and rending quite a nice job, is constantly being interrupted by Mr. Know it All, Butinsky (Stan) with suggestion after Flo Sommerville suggestion for improvement….Very clever.

The show’s closing act was a priceless act and a show stopper, featuring Florence “Flo” Sommerville with her “St. Louie Women” monologue (at right). At the ripe young age of 89, our eldest performing senior was a true pro. She began by slowing by coming on stage with a cane and doing a little banter on her way in….and then “Bam” socks you with her down home humor. She left the audience wanting more. Bravo, Flo.

Emcees were notable: Rosemarie Ballard, a multi-talented actor, singer, dancer, impersonator, mime and clown, relates her most memorable moment among her world wide performances was portraying “Carmen” and singing to the First Lady and President Gerald Ford at the Bob Hope Classic Ball in Palm Springs. Bob Jasak has been performing on radio, television, and the stage for 70 years. He has performed in private solo venues from the retired president of Universal Studios to the manager of the San Francisco Opera. He has sung sacred music in churches, nationwide, which is dear to his heart.

Overwhelming thanks go to the A Team from San Diego City Park and Recreational Senior Services Department; Kathi Aceves, District Manager, Kristi Fenick, Supervising Recreational Therapist, Lewis Higgins, Recreation Specialist, and Rebecca Cesena, Clerical Assistant II. They were joined by 32 dedicated and hardworking volunteers, who like “worker bees”, came in and, behind the scenes, performed their magic.
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The A Team above has informed me The Scroll for April, May & June will be out shortly. Don’t forget to get you copy, either pull it up on the internet, or pick it up at any event you may attend. It is your road map to dozens of on going programs, trips, dances, and special events.

It is hard to believe our 1st quarter of 2012 is coming to an end. It seems like yesterday we said “Happy New Year”. You can still catch several ongoing activities this month. Balboa Park Senior Lounge continues a Cribbage Session each Wednesday 10 – 11 AM, and Balboa Park Walks, each Tuesday 10-11AM…..Needle Crafts and The Poetry Party will begin new series of classes in April.

War Memorial Building still holds continuous games in Mah Jongg (Rm2) every Monday, 9AM-2PM. You are invited to drop in anytime and enjoy a game and have a cup of coffee with the players. A program for Deaf Seniors is held every Thursday, 10AM-3PM. Coffee and donuts are served and members bring a sack lunch. New members are always welcome. New schedules will be out in April for Acting and Storytelling Classes.

Balboa Park Club will be scheduling all new Themed Dances in April, May, and June.
They are scheduled two Thursdays out of each month and are great fun. Just $3.00 at the door, includes, entertainment , refreshments, and door prizes. On designated days, Russell Maples teaches dance lessons in a variety of styles. It is all included.

Special Bus Trips: March is winding up its trip schedule this quarter with a trip to the Getty Museum on March 27th……..Unfortunately, this popular trip is all booked. When it comes up again, be certain to get your reservation in early. Since trips must be booked in advance, a trip to the Ramona Bowl Amphitheater is listed for Saturday April 28th, just $68.00. Trip includes transportation, entrance to show, lunch, and driver gratuity. Call Senior Citizen Service 619-236-6905, if interested for information and registering.

The months ahead are full of great activities. Keep watch.

Fun stuff you may have missed . . .

If you have not done so, pull up THE SCROLL on the internet, or pick up a copy at any of the on-going senior programs. The new quarterly issues are full of information and great colorful photographs to keep seniors up to date on activities (sponsored by City Park and Recreation Dept. Senior Citizen Services).

Walk the walk — see the beauty

Seniors, you know about the ongoing Balboa Park Walks on Tuesdays and Thursdays, strolling around our beautiful park, and enjoying the company of your peers. But, let me tell you of my favorite spots. When I want serenity, I put on my walking shoes, pick up my camera, and take off for the Balboa Park Cactus and Rose Gardens (east side of Park Blvd., at Village Place, across from the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, with ample parking at the curb).

Cactus garden in Balboa Park There is an abundant variety of magnificent, draught tolerant cacti and succulents placed scenically within winding pathways. There are big-leaf, jungle like trees, Joshua trees, barrel cactus, prickly pears, flowing fern, flowering ground cover (and many I cannot name) nestled within artistically arranged rock formations. There are varying pathways, gently winding their way up and down slopes. You cannot help but get a pleasant workout.

During my last visit, as I was pondering the names of these strange and beautiful plants, I had a stroke of luck. I crossed paths with the Park Cactus Gardner, and asked him about identification for the plants. He said there was signage at one time, which became weathered, old, and some just disappeared. The signage was taken out; but, with plans to restore it. In the meantime, he steered me to the information area, where a local Girl Scout Troop worked up a clever poster, naming many of the plants. The girls did a remarkable job. Currently, their work is housed in a display window. What fun!

Rose garden in Balboa Park I continue walking and travel a few paces to the south and view the Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden, a three acre site, which displays nearly 200 varieties of roses: to name a few; English rose, grandiflora, hybrid tea, Austrian briar, apothecary, white rugosa, and winged thorn. (I understand the garden is a popular wedding spot.) The garden is in bloom, March thru December, with the peak season of April and May. The garden features around 2,500 blossoms in a spectrum of color. The leaves, in many shapes, sizes and varying shades of rich green, set a backdrop for the variety of blooms. Walking the pathway around the garden is a lovely experience, as it curves in and out and around several intimate gardens with stone and brick framed formations. There is an architecturally beautiful open terrace in the center of the garden, with its roof covered in lush rose vines. Now is the time to enjoy this beauty. Don’t miss out.

WAIT! You’re not finished, yet. I led you thru my serenity spots (grand for meditation). Now, let me take you to my favorite, scenic, educational, variety packed, full of hustle and bustle spot. Here you are among hundreds of other spectators. You better save this for another day, as you could have spent and hour or two in the gardens…..You can easily spend a day or two, here, at…THE GREAT SAN DIEGO ZOO.

San Diego Zoo As you make your entrance, there is a giant poster on your right that typifies the zoo, giving you an idea of what to expect. A few more paces into the grounds and you can pick up a colorful map of the inroad pathways and where they lead. It is great to walk the perimeter of the grounds of slightly sloping inclines up and down; a good pace will create a good work out. All the while you have animals from around the globe to view: among them; zebras, giraffes, wild hogs, long horned yaks, antelopes, and camels. You can stop along the way and learn more about each of these wonderful animals. An extra bonus; you are surrounded by gardens of botanical wonders.

There are abundant options. You may walk to the top most, far side and ride the sky tram down, back to your beginning; or, visa versa. You can hike any of the wonderful pathways throughout the grounds taking you by habitats of the Giant Pandas of China, African gorillas, orangutans, great jungle cats, rhinos, hippos, and reptiles. You can walk the bridges and upper walkways to the aviaries and view spectacular birds from a tiny snow sparrow to the great bald eagle. There are so many varieties of wild life they cannot all be named here.

For repast, you can stop by one of the many charming eateries. My favorite place for that break is the Tree Top Cafe, where I buy a tall glass of iced herbal tea and sit on the terrace, overlooking a canyon of palm trees, leaves swaying in the breeze, topping a great field of green below. This is what I call relaxation. If all else fails, and you want a real break, take the bus (there goes the walk), sit back, relax, and tour the grounds with the guide giving you lessons on the animals, animal life, and the San Diego Zoo’s part in preservation…Then, there are the gift shops. For what more, can you ask?

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Don’t pass up Balboa Park Senior Lounge Ongoing Activities
(Lounge is located in the Casa Del Prado, room 105.)

Balboa Park Walks - Tuesdays (slower pace) and Thursdays, take a walk with your peers around this beautiful park. Meet at 10AM. Begin walk at 10:15 sharp. Get out there and hear the birds sing. (It is suggested you take advantage of the free Tuesday museums, while you are there.)

Daily Lounge Get Togethers – Open 7 days per week, 9:30AM to 3:30PM (except City Holidays). Stop by to chat, play cards or board games, enjoy coffee and goodies. (Need info.? Call a volunteer during lounge hours at (619) 236-0262.

Want to play some Cribbage? Drop by Wednesdays at 10AM. You might just meet Jack, Mary, Jean, Liz, or George, your friendly, regular players. They say “all levels” of players are welcome……And for a “mean game” of Spades, stay over for the 12 Noon sessions. They suggest you bring a friend or make some new friends by “playing your cards right”...No pun intended.

Keep tuned in for more.

Lots of opportunities for seniors...

After retirement in 1999 and moving from the “hub” of Los Angeles to the lovely community of Hillcrest, I found a Mecca of senior services at my fingertips. With a quest for learning I zeroed in on the continuing education, Emeritus Program for seniors, through San Diego Community College. Classes are free and offer Arts through Wellness; Spring, Summer and Fall. I have enjoyed classes in Music, Japanese Brush Painting and Writing. Anyone interested? Call the main Educational Cultural Complex at (619) 388-4956. For best exercise I like to visit the Bud Kearns Swimming Pool in Morley Field (only $2 admission for seniors per session). The pool is heated every day of the year making it delightful. I have never liked “shivering” while swimming.

While at Morley Field, check out the Balboa Tennis Club for senior tournaments. Then meander over to Balboa Park Senior Lounge, room 105, at Casa Del Prado, and enjoy activities with a friendly group; open 9:30am-3:30pm seven days per week, except holidays. Another great discovery was that the Parks & Recreation Department has a Senior Services Office located in the lobby of the City Administration Building, 202 C Street (open daily from 8am-5pm). Call (619) 236-6905 and subscribe to the quarterly newsletter, “The Scroll” where I found great programs. It is full of information on senior activities: dances, special events and group tours.

Or pull up www.sandiego.gov/seniorservices. I discovered a senior art contest and entered two of my paintings. Award winning exhibits were displayed in the lobby of the Administration Building last month followed by an awards reception on Friday, October 15. One of my paintings made the final cut, and I was in good company. Wonderful pieces were displayed, showing seniors still have what it takes! (HQ note: an arts & crafts sales event is planned for this weekend...Dolores will report on it, too.)