From the Chair - Mary Moore Gaines
Ring the bells that can still ring.
Forget your perfect offering.
There is a crack in everything.
That is how the light gets in.
- Leonard Cohen
 Leonard Norman Cohen, born September 21, 1934, Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet and novelist echoes a familiar theme for all times of the year, perhaps especially for the Holiday season and the New Year.
The season of thanks, followed by the season of giving, followed by the season of new beginnings. Forget your perfect offering . . . Ring the bells that can still ring. There is a crack in everything. The light does indeed come through the cracks, cracks that are the result of living life as she presents herself, through dealing with what life dishes up, like it or not. The light is the light of wisdom growing slowly and deeply out of experience and knowledge.
Our offering of thanks to be light-filled must be expressed not only by what we say but also and especially by how we are. To be light-filled our offering of gifts must be thoughtful and heartfelt. It really is ‘the thought that counts.’
Strangely the new beginnings of the New Year take place in the darkest time of the year. The clue here is that for new beginnings to be light-filled they must germinate inside of us, in the depths of our soul and our spirit. They must emanate from what is most authentic about us. Then, and only then, will the much vaunted but often ignored New Year’s resolutions have the power to bring new light into our lives and into the life of the world.
Many of us feel more than a little sad at this time of celebration. We remember times gone by, perhaps happier times, and those whom we have loved and lost. We may feel uninspired by all the glitter and the manufactured mirth.
However you feel, do take time to slow down and to feel your feelings. Resist the hectic pace. Contemplate the things that matter – thanks, giving and new beginnings. And don’t forget to ring the bells that can still ring!
Guard Against Identity Theft During the Holiday Season
- Tammy Haygood, Edward Jones
To help prevent against identity theft, you need to realize that there are now high tech components used in this kind of theft such as cell phones to take photos of your credit card, your PIN number while you are at the ATM. However, there are protections that you can use. Credit card companies won’t hold you responsible if someone steals your card or your number provided that you report the theft right away. Don’t pull your credit card out until you are ready to pay. And, try to shield it from other shoppers.
Here are some other tips that you should use:
Use secure sites when shopping online: Before you give out your credit card number to make a purchase online, make sure that you are on a secure site; one that begins with https://. (The s stands for secure.) The site should also display a small lock or other security seal.
Guard your personal information: Do not carry your social security card in your wallet. Do not carry your ATM pin number in your wallet. It is a good idea to change your ATM pin number occasionally.
Do not carry around extra credit cards: Carry only the credit cards and ATM cards that you will need for any given shopping trip.
Check your bank statements: These days it is easy to check your bank statement online. Do so a few times per month. If you find a transaction that looks questionable, call your bank and ask them for details.
Contact a credit reporting agency: If you think you have been a victim of identity theft, contact Equifax, Experian or TransUnion. Once you contact one of these credit reporting agencies, all three will be alerted. This alert will make it more difficult for identity thieves to open additional credit cards in your name. However, fraud alerts only last for about three months, so you will regularly need to monitor your credit report for suspicious activity.
Favorite recipes and remembrances from SF Village Community
Real Southern Pecan Pie – courtesy of Eva Auchincloss
I got this recipe from a New Orleans native many years ago.
1+ cups of peacans
1 cup sugar
1 cup dark Karo (blue label)
3 eggs beaten to light yellow
1 Tablespoon melted butter
1 scant teaspoon vanilla
Mix sugar, butter, Karo, and vanilla and add to well beaten eggs then beat again, Add the pecans and pour into rich, medium thick pie crust. Cook either 10 minutes at 400 and 50 minutes at 300, or 10 minutes at 425 and 25 minutes at 350 but watch to make sure crust doesn’t burn.
Biscotti – Twice Baked Italian Cookies courtesy of Nina Huebsch
 I once went to India for a wedding that was happening in December. One of our party was disappointed to be in India at Christmas time since she loved celebrating Christmas with her extended family. She saw lots of red lights on houses, apartments and other buildings in Delhi. She got really excited and said “look they have Christmas lights.” It turns out that in India, it is a tradition that when someone in the family gets married or is about to get married that the family hangs up red lights. So, since December is wedding season in India there were lots of red lights. For the missing Christmas in the US person in our party, she decided that for her these red lights would be Christmas lights so she was less sad about not being at home for Christmas.
Makes about 9 dozen cookies
Prep time: 35 minutes
Chilling time: At least 2 hours
Baking time: 35 minutes
Calories: 75 per cookie
2 cups sugar
1 cup butter, melted
¼ cup anise seeds
¼ c anisette liqueur
3 tablespoons bourbon or 2 tablespoons water and 2 tablespoons vanilla
2 cups coarsely chopped almonds or walnuts
6 large eggs
5 ½ cups all purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
In a bowl, mix sugar, butter, anise seeds, liqueur, bourbon, almonds and eggs. Beat to blend. Stir together flour and baking powder and add to butter mixture blending thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate dough for 2-3 hours.
On a lightly floured board, shape dough with your hands to form flat loaves that are ½ inch thick, 2 inches wide and 17 inches long. Place no more than 2 loaves, parallel and well apart, on a buttered 12 x 17 inch cookie sheet. Bake in a 375* oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes.
Remove from oven and let cool on baking sheets until you can easily touch them. Then cut into ½ to ¾ inch thick diagonal slices. Lay slices cut side down and close together on baking sheets. Return to oven and bake until lightly toasted, about 15 more minutes. Let cool on racks.
Enjoy with wine or strong espresso coffee!
Christmas Eve in China by Margaret Rafferty
This is the Christmas Eve Tradition at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Zigong Sichuan China. During the Cultural Revolution in China many churches of all kinds were closed. In Zigong the Catholic Church was closed and boarded up and the clergy were held up to public ridicule and worse. Sadly at last the church building itself was torn down. Many years later as the sign in the church says “a warm soft wind blew” and it was understood that a person could love God and country at the same time. Many people from the church and the community made contributions and a new Catholic Church was built. The first public worship in the new church was on Christmas Eve. As part of the celebration a special large cake was ordered and blessed and pieces were given out to everyone who attended that service. Now every Christmas Eve lots of cake is ordered as most people in Zigong know about the 'holy cake' and the church is packed. The cake is blessed and a piece is given to everyone in the church as they leave with wishes for a Merry Christmas.
Holiday Fruit Cake – courtesy of Margaret Rafferty
This cake works best in a loaf pan of about 13X9...it should be Pamed or buttered and floured, It is also best to assemble all of the stuff at once.
1/2 cup of butter
2Cups of sugar
2 eggs
2 1/2 Cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon of Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoons of nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon of allspice
1 1/2 cups of Applesauce
1/2 raisins
1 cup of chopped nuts
1 cup of assorted dried fruit
A. Put the raisins, nuts and the dried fruit into a bowl and add a little flour ....you want to dust them with flour so they will mix in with the rest of the batter ...then set aside
B. Cream the butter and sugar together when they are well creamed add eggs, then set aside
C. Mix the salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice together, set aside
D. Heat the apple sauce and then add the soda
E. Now, working quickly mix all of the things together, from A, B, C and D
When they are all mixed ...put them into that loaf pan
Cook for about an hour at 375. It is done when a toothpick comes out clean.
From the desk of Ellie Lurie...
It is the custom at Hanukah to eat a dish fried in oil. This reminds the diners of  the miracle of Hanukah, when there was only enough oil to light the Eternal Light in the Temple, after the Syrian Greeks or Romans had defiled the Temple, for one night; but miraculously the oil burned for 8 nights until more oil could be obtained.
Jews from Northern and Eastern Europe customarily eat potato pancakes, or latkes, to remind themselves of this miracle.
Basic Recipe for Latkes for 8 people – Courtesy of Ellie Lurie
• 2 eggs
• 3 cups grated, drained potatoes
(You can use a Cuisinart or blender to grate the potatoes, provided you don't let the potatoes liquify. The traditional way was to use a handgrater, which can be hard on your knuckles! Put the grated potatoes in a colander immersed in water, to keep the potatoes from discoloring. When ready to cook, remove the grated potatoes and dry them with paper towels or coffee filters.)
• 4 Tablespoons grated onions (see above.)
• 1 Teaspoon salt
• 2 Tablespoons matzoh or cracker meal
• oil, fat or butter for frying (I prefer oil)
1. Beat the eggs.
2. Add the other ingredients.
3. Heat a frying skillet and add oil as needed or desired (I like a minimum.)
4. Take a tablespoon or serving spoon, dip it in the potato pancake mix, and drop a small pancake from the tip of the spoon into the hot oil. You can also mix a little of the oil, before heating, into the pancake mix.
(You can make several pancakes at once, but don't crowd the pancakes. If the pancake mix seems to be too liquid, you can add more matzoh meal, cracker meal, or even a little flour. Add more oil as necessary for frying.)
5. Brown lightly on both sides. When browned, put pancakes onto a dish or pan with paper towels or coffee filters to remove the excess oil. If possible, put the pancakes into the oven, set very low, just to keep them warm.
6. When all the pancakes are cooked, call your guests to dinner and serve immediately!
Common accompaniments to the latkes are apple sauce, cooked apple slices, sour cream or plain yogurt, cottage cheese, even brown sugar. But guests in my house have been seen to put ketchup on them (hardly traditional!) If you serve the pancakes with meat, it is traditional NOT to offer dairy products at the same time.
Possible Variants for the latkes:
a. use green onions or leeks instead of grated onions.
b. add some grated cabbage to the grated onions.
c. instead of onions, use grated carrots and/or zucchini.
d. instead of only plain potato mix, add grated yams or sweet potatoes to the same proportion for 3 cups of potato mix.
Persimmon Tea Bread – courtesy of Kris Getz
 This recipe is over 100 years old. When I was young woman I received it from a friend in her late 80’s who indicated it was an old family recipe. I now double the recipe and make 6 small loaves in 5 ½ x3 ½ x 2 pans and give them as gifts during the holidays.
½ cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 ¾ cup flour minus 2 tablespoons (when recipe is doubled use only 3 cups flour)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup ripe persimmon pulp (Hachiya is the best known)
1 cup currents
1 cup chopped walnuts
Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, add egg and beat well. Sift flour before measuring then sift again with baking soda and spices added to it. Add creamy mixture and persimmon pulp alternately and mix well. Stir in currents and nuts. Line the bottom of the loaf pan with two stripes of wax paper and pour in mix. Bake at 350 for one hour. Smaller loafs ready 50 to 55 minuts. Reemove wax paper while still warm.
Turkey Stuffing - Courtesy of Carol Livingston
Italian Sausage Stuffing (bake in casserole or in turkey)
1/2 cup (1/4 lb) butter
3/4 lb mild Italian sausage (crumbled)
1 cup chopped celery
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 lb mushrooms, sliced
1 cup chopped almonds
1 pkg (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1/2 cup raisins
I/2 cup Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup dry white wine or water
1 teaspoon each rosemary & oregano
about 4 cups unseasoned bread cubes
salt to taste
In a 4-5 quart pan, melt butter. Add sausage, celery & onion; cook over medium-high heat until sausage is browned, about 20 minutes; stir often. Add mushrooms; stir often until liquid from mushrooms has evaporated, 7 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in spinach, raisins, Parmesan, almonds, wine, rosemary & oregano. Mix in stuffing cubes and salt to taste. Spoon stuffing into the turkey and cook as directed. Put remaining stuffing in a buttered 2-1/2 quart casserole, cover. Bake in 325 degree oven until hot, about 40 minutes.
Serves 8 to 10 Preparation time: About 60 minutes.
 San Francisco Village Programs
Come and bring a Friend. For more information or to RSVP for a SF Village sponsored program, call us at 415-387-1375 or email us at
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Thursday, December 3
Beginning Yoga Class taught by Aurele Carlot
9:00am -10:30am, Cost: For SF Village members $7/class
Location: 120 St. Germain Avenue near Twin Peaks
Hosted by: Aurele Carlot
Call 415-387-1375 to RSVP
Tuesday, December 8
Festive SF Village Member Holiday Party and Potluck
6:00pm – 8:00 pm
3979 Washington Street near Arguello
Hosted by: SF Village Board
Call 4150-387-1375 to RSVO, to sign up to bring potluck item, to provide/get a ride
Wednesday, December 9
Play Reading Group
5:00pm – 7:00pm, Cost: Free
1342 Filbert Street between Polk and Larkin
Hosted by: Winnie Siegel and Sarah Goldman
Call 415-387-1375 to PSVP
Thursday, December 10
Beginning Yoga Class taught by Aurele Carlot
9:00am -10:30am, Cost: For SF Village members $7/class
Location: 120 St. Germain Avenue near Twin Peaks
Hosted by: Aurele Carlot
Call 415-387-1375 to RSVP
Thursday, December 10
Smart Choices in Retirement – Charitable Gifting
Tammy Haygood of Edward Jones
6:00pm – 7:30pm, Cost: Free
Potluck, bring a dish to share
2654 Union Street near Divisadero
Hosted by: Jeanne Lacy
Call 415-387-1375 to RSVP
Tuesday, December 15
Third Tuesday Coffee with Tammy
More Questions about charitable gifting, tax free investing, etc
9:30am – 10:30am, Cost: Free
Crepevine, 2301 Fillmore Street at Sacramento
Hosted by: Tammy Haygood
Call 415-387-1375 to RSVP
Wednesday, December 16
Spirituality Group
5:30pm – 7:30pm, Cost: Free
San Francisco Foundation, 312 Sutter St # 606 San Francisco
Hosted by Glady Thatcher and Diana Arsham
Call 415-387-1375 for more information
Thursday, December 17
Beginning Yoga Class taught by Aurele Carlot
9:00am -10:30am, Cost: For SF Village members $7/class
Location: 120 St. Germain Avenue near Twin Peaks
Hosted by: Aurele Carlot
Call 415-387-1375 to RSVP
Thursday, December 17
Give Back for the Holidays and Have Fun
SF Village Volunteer Morning at the San Francisco Food Bank
Activities will be appropriate for SF Village members
9:00am – 12:00noon
900 Pennsylvania Avenue
For SF Muni information to get to the SF Food Bank, scroll down this page
http://www.sffoodbank.org/about_us/directions.html
Hosted by: SF Village Program Committee
Call 415-387-1375 to RSVP and to provide or get a ride
Thursday, December 17
Lunch Bunch Goes to Potrero Hill (after volunteering at the Food Bank)
Horatius Restaurant (Join us even if you can't make the Food Bank program)
12:30pm – 2:00pm, Cost: Self- pay Range $10 - $15
350 Kansas Street between 16th and 17th Streets
Hosted by: Nina Huebsch
Call 415-387-1375 to RSVP and to provide or get a ride
Sunday, December 20
California Revels, A Theatrical Celebration of Winter Solstice
Scottish Rite Theatre, 1547 Lakeside Drive, Oakland
1:00pm Matinee, Cost @$20 www.calrevels.org/Chritmas_Revels_09.html
Hosted by: Eva Auchincloss
Call 415-387-1375 to RSVP ASAP
We have carpool space for 3 people, let the office know if you can provide or need a ride
Thursday, December 24
Beginning Yoga Class taught by Aurele Carlot
9:00am -10:30am, Cost: For SF Village members $7/class
Location: 120 St. Germain Avenue near Twin Peaks
Hosted by: Aurele Carlot
Call 415-387-1375 to RSVP
Thursday, December 31
Beginning Yoga Class taught by Aurele Carlot
9:00am -10:30am, Cost: For SF Village members $7/class
Location: 120 St. Germain Avenue near Twin Peaks
Hosted by: Aurele Carlot
Call 415-387-1375 to RSVP
Wednesday, January 13
Play Reading Group
5:00pm – 7:00pm, Cost: Free
Hosted by: Sarah Goldman
Call 415-387-1375 to RSVP
Thursday, January 14
‘Art of Living’ Series Debuts
Brown Bag Lunch- bring your own lunch
12-1:30pm, Cost: Free
Location: 3620 Lyon Street near Exploratorium entrance
Hosted by: Eva Auchincloss
Call 415-387-1375 to RSVP
Thursday, January 28
New Estate Tax & IRA Considerations, moderated by Tammy Haygood
6:00pm – 7:30pm, Cost: Free
Hosted by SF Village Program Committee
Call 415-387-1376 to RSVP
December Partner Activities
Sunday, December 6;
IOA and CESP 23rd Annual Cable Car Caroling
A fundraiser for the IOA's center for elderly suicide prevention and grief related services.
12-5:30pm. $45 for adults; $35 for seniors; $10 children (6-16); free5/under
Meet at the Presidio Officers’ Club, 50 Moraga Ave., SF. Rain or shine!
Call 415-750-4180 ext. 143; email
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http://www.cablecarcaroling.org
Activities of Interest for December
Tuesday, Dec 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Gentle Arts Club at the JCC-Gather for knitting and other needle arts advice and information, in a pleasant social setting. 3200 California Street at Presidio
12-1:30pm, Cost: Free
Call 415-292-1200 for more information, or to register.
Monday, December 7
Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park
Benjamin Dean Lecture - At Saturn: Tripping the Light Fantastic. Dr. Carolyn
Porco, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
http://www.calacademy.org/events
7:30pm Cost is $12 for non-Academy member seniors
Call 800.794.7576 for tickets.
Wednesday, December 9
Amish Abstractions Quilts from the Collection of Faith and Stephen Brown
Lecture by Fine Arts Museum Docent
1:15pm - 2:15pm, Cost: Free
JCC, 3200 California Street at Presidio
Call 415.292.1200 for more information and to register.
Saturday, December 12, 19
A Holiday Family Sing-Along at Grace Cathedral with the Pacific Boychoir of Oakland
11am, Cost: Range $10-$25
1100 California Street
http://www.calacademy.org/events Call City Box Office at (415) 392-4400 to purchase tickets.
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