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Staycations Can Improve Brain Health by Christabel Cheung, Executive Director
Exploring a new place is a great way to enjoy the summer while maintaining  brain fitness. Traveling promotes a healthy brain, according to the late visionary on aging, Dr. Gene Cohen, MD, PhD, in his seminal work, The Creative Age. Travel is an activity that makes us mentally sweat through the challenge of unfamiliar environments and experiences, which in turn stimulates brain plasticity and cognition to improve memory and problem solving. Even better, document experiences through writing, photography, video and sketches.
For those of us who do not have the luxury or desire to travel too far from home, there is just as much to be gained by making a trip close to home for a staycation. A rewarding staycation could be a simple day trip to a museum, a hike on a nearby trail or taking in a local street festival. The benefits to brain health are realized by engaging in a new activity in a new environment that challenges us, and is not a result of the physical distance we travel.
San Francisco Village’s social, cultural and educational programs provide a variety of groups in which our members can enjoy new local travel adventures without going too far from home and without the common worries associated with doing something alone. The positive impacts of strong social networks on the health of the mind, body and brain can be profound, with correlations to improved blood pressure, stress levels, immune system and longevity.
We welcome you to join us for your next staycation at a San Francisco Village program event. Our Program Committee Co-Chairs, Marilyn Campbell and Nina Huebsch, are always planning fun, educational and rejuvenating activities for SF Village members to enjoy. Thank you so much to Marilyn and Nina for their dedication and hard work.
We hope to see you at our next outing!
Take A Vacation ... In San Francisco
by Gayle Geary, SFV Board Chair
"I love this city. If I'm elected, I will move the White House to San Francisco."
...Robert Kennedy
When my son was about seven years old, over 20 years ago, I planned a  vacation right here in San Francisco. Partly driven by economic factors and partly because I wanted Alex to get to know his city from a brand new perspective, we spent two glorious days playing tourists. We took the ferry to Tiburon and ate at Sam’s. We took a rickshaw ride along the Embarcadero. We visited Golden Gate Park and explored its many delights, including the Japanese Tea Garden. We stood in line at Swan’s Oyster Depot along with all the other tourists. We went to Alcatraz and went into the creepy solitary confinement cell. We walked along Ocean Beach, looked for seals on Seal Rock, took the cable car to Ghirardelli Square.
I can’t remember everything we did during that vacation, but I do remember the joy and wonder we experienced by vacationing right here in San Francisco. One of the most popular places to visit in the whole world is at our front door. Call a friend to explore new areas in the city. Spend an afternoon at the Ferry Building. Have tea at Samovar Tea Lounge in Yerba Buena Gardens. Then visit SFMOMA. Enjoy something you have always wanted to do in the City but have been putting off for another time.
So do take a vacation in San Francisco – for a few hours, a day, a weekend. It’s not only affordable, it’s brilliant!
Tips for Summer Exploration from Other Members
From Carol & Barry Livingston
We're keen on the Presidio Habitats which is a site-based exhibition celebrating Presidio wildlife and nature. You begin your visit in the Exhibition Pavilion located at the corner of Storey and Ralston near the Log Cabin in Fort Scott (open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm) Admission is free. It's a challenge to hit all eleven sites in one day but we would be willing to host a  gathering or two if folks are interested. You can supposedly use the Presidio's free shuttle service to get to some of the more remote locations but we haven't tried it yet. We particularly like the Habitat for Anna's Hummingbird as it's located in a lovely community garden.
We have also gotten some tickets through an interesting web site "
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" which should be of interest to Village members who don't already know about it. We are going to a Giants-Dodgers game with discounted tickets, and hit a Valentine's Day concert at Rrazz in the Nikko Hotel. They send us a listing every week with what they have available.
From Margaret Rafferty
I enjoy taking a ferry anywhere and back. You get a discounted senior rate and a fun ride on the bay. Generally there is at least one fun place to go when you get 'there'
From Emily Leider
 San Francisco Silent Film Festival at the CastroTheater. Rare and wonderful films on the big screen, with live music. It's always in mid-July. This year they are showing an early Frank Capra film, a newly restored print of METROPOLIS, and the amazing experimental Russian film MAN WITH A MOVIE CAMERA, among many others. www.silentfilm.org.
The Jewish Film Festival also shows good and unusual films worth checking out.
From Marilyn Mercur
If I were to be facetious, I'd say it would be watching tourists shivering in shorts and halter-tops, thinking that San Francisco is southern California. But on a serious note, depending what group is performing there, Stern Grove is a summer destination, as are the outdoor concerts at Yerba Buena. The Marina Green is a fun place to watch joggers and people struggling with kites.
It's also fun playing "tourist." When I used to administer a summer program for  teenagers, I'd book them on the Fire Engine Tours http://www.fireenginetours.com/ and they had a ball. Definitely do it if you've got grand kids in town. And although I see the ocean from my flat, I enjoy driving there and watching crashing waves, driving through Golden Gate Park, seeing what's in bloom; eating at the Cliff House or the funkier nearby restaurant on the Great Highway (name escapes me, but it has "Louie" in it).
From Ralph Beren
One of the most enjoyable experiences this summer is taking a course from OLLI on the Impressionists which is coordinated with the De Young exhibit. A second enjoyable thing I am going up to Auburn this summer to visit one of my former and most funny students of all time. We will spend a couple of days together with his family. He is one of the few people who can have his feet in mud and his head in the air. I have never visited a student before.
Judy & Don Langley
We never tire of two walks:
Crissy Field. With the Golden Gate Bridge always in view, we love strolling the beach, watching the dogs, the water, and sometimes the kids. We return to the St. Francis Yacht Club road via the path that runs between the beach and the lagoon. There’s almost always interesting bird life in the water or on the shore. On the path there are walkers of all ages, joggers, and bicyclists, including many out-of-towners who rented from Blazing Saddles.
Ocean Beach. It’s so easy to forget that San Francisco is a beach city. At any time of day, in any sort of weather the water and waves, the foam, the shore birds, the vista south to Pacifica or north to the Cliff House are always worth a visit. Maybe you’ll spot fishermen, or surfers, or somebody’s driftwood sculpture. It’s always different, yet always the same.
From Veronica Fields
Walks in town and/or trails
Art Galleries
Theater
Museums and/or special exhibitions
Streets and areas worth exploring
From I.W. Klein
 Take the streetcar to the West Portal stop (oh, all right, park your car somewhere near there...). Then walk along West Portal Ave to the end of the biz district. You're young again! --- because you'll think you're in Des Moines Iowa in 1952. You might stop in the Growing Up Toy Store at # 240 and get a birthday or early-Xmas gift for a grandchild. The torrent of toys (not found at Target) and helpful owner are like shopping in 1952 . Then perhaps on to the Manor Coffee Shop at # 321 where the waitress’s uniforms with hanky-corsages were probably dated by 1952! - Old-timey food of course.
Or, go to the Mission, and from Mission St. walk east on 24th Street --- vibrant with a variety of middle-class shops and a zillion restaurants, each restaurant interior more uniquely charming than the next. Mostly Latin of course, though the Napper Tandy Irish bar at # 3200 isn't, nor is the iconic old St. Francis Fountain at # 2801; neither is the original Philz Coffee House at 3101. But ,even with some gentrification, mostly it all feels like a bustling, prosperous, working-class, very colorful and safe neighborhood south of the border.
From Mary Ann Faris
Friday Nights at the de Young Museum 5 - 8:45 Golden Gate Park, Exhibits, Tower Views, Museum Cafe, live Music, cocktails, art making demos, interactive kids activities, lectures.
Thursday nights at the SFMOMA - live music, to 8:45. Other great museum visits include: Asian Art Museum, Contemporary Jewish Museum, Cartoon Art Museum 655 Mission St., Walt Disney Family Museum 104 Montgomery St., The Presidio, S.F.
From Angela Little
Here is my recommendation for a bit of SF vacationing: Go to Fort Mason (lower level) and visit the Museo Italo-Americano (building C). From July 16 to October 24 there will be a retrospective exhibit of the work of a late local artist, Robert Biancalana. For those interested in Italian culture, language, literature etc. the Museo is an ideal place to satisfy your curiosity. There is also a gift shop with items from Italy and from local artisans. (Museo hours, Tuesday-Sunday, 12-4 PM). While there, you might like to have lunch at Green's and take a walk along the water where yachts are moored. Good walkers might like to go as far as Chrissy Field.
I am a member of the Museo and also serve on the Board of Directors and chair the Art Committee. Over the years I have enjoyed courses in the Italian language and literature and continue to do so, and regularly attend a conversation circle there once a week. There are many advantages to membership.
From Nina Huebsch
Tea Across the City
It's summer, forget cleaning out those closets! Take time on one of our foggy summer days to enjoy a cup of tea with a friend. San Francisco abounds in great tea drinking destinations. For a traditional English tea, there are several wonderful tea rooms. For a cup of tea in an intimate setting, try Taly Tara Tea  and Polo Shoppe http://www.talytara.com located on California near 27th. For an English tea in the English B&B style (mismatched china and silver) try Lovejoy's Tea Room http://www.lovejoystearoom.com located on Church at Clipper. Another English tea venue is Secret Garden Tea House located on Lincoln Way between 8th & 9th http://www.secretgardenteahouse.com, but beware that its very flowery decor may make your male friends cringe!
For those who prefer white, green, oolong, black, Jingmai, yerba mate and daily chilled varieties, try Samovar Tea Lounge www.samovarlife.com located at 720 Howard Street in Yerba Buena. Or, take yourself to the Ferry Building and taste some traditional Chinese teas at the Imperial Tea Court in a very Chinese atmosphere http://www.imperialtea.com. Try the loose leaf tea bar at Leland Tea Company http://www.lelandtea.com located on Bush Street near Polk. And finally don't forget the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park http://www.holymtn.com/garden/JapaneseTeaGardenMap.htm
Once you are home from your tea trip, energized from the caffeine in your tea, think about cleaning out those closets!
From Babs Barber
Don’t miss the Peter Pan show. Now until August 29th.
Other Suggestions
Guided Walks
To really see and experience the city, San Francisco City Guides provide a large variety of free guided neighborhood walks every day of the week. The guides are all local volunteers. Check out the schedule and places on their web site www.sfcityguides.org
Additionally, San Francisco Museum & Historical Society is offering a tour of the Old Mint at $5 for non-members at 10 AM on August 7th and noon on September 8th. For reservations call 537-1105 x 100.
For nature walks check Golden Gate National Recreation Area for multiple guided nature walks in the Presidio and other parks. www.nps.gov/goga click on “things to do”. The S.F. Botanical Gardens also offer free daily tours. Check out the time and meeting place on the web site (also lists a variety of other opportunities) www.sanfrancisco.about.com (click on “things to do” and then on “tours”)
Finally reserve your space for the Village’s special tour of the alleyways of Chinatown on Tuesday, August 24th Teens who grew up in these alleys will be your guides. Limited reservations.
Arts
We had any number of suggestions that people take the time to visit our many museums this summer where there will be a wealth of fine arts to explore. Check the schedule for times, but here are a few suggestions:
deYoung “Birth of Impressionism” May 22 – September 6th
Legion of Honor “Impressionism” from Paris collection June 5 – September 26th
Asian Art “Shanghai Celebration” now – September 5th
Additonal Musems
Contemporary Jewish Musem, www.thecjm.org
Cartoon Museum, www.cartoonart.org
Cable Car Museum www.cablecarmuseum.org
Exploratorium www.exploratorium.edu
California Academy of Sciences www.calacademy.org
Wells Fargo History Museum www.wellsfargohistory.com
Walt Disney Family Museum www.disney.go.com
Beyond Staycation
Keeping Healthy
 Books Inc and the San Francisco Village invite you to a discussion and booksigning with Dr. William Stewart, author of Deep Medicine on July 21st at 7 pm at Books Inc in Laurel Village, 3515 California Street.
Every issue is a health issue; everything we think, feel, and do impacts our state of well-being in ways not yet fully understood by science. Without question, our ability to prevent disease, heal illness, overcome mental health issues, and maintain peak performance as we age is affected by our deepest inner beliefs and core values. Deep Medicine is a program created by Dr. William Stewart, holistic health pioneer and cofounder of the Institute for Health and Healing at California Pacific Medical Center, that is designed to help you develop a personal plan for finding and using your own inner power to heal.
Volunteering can improve your health
SFVillage is interested in starting a hands-on volunteer program to better equip our members and other volunteers to provide services to our membership. We have in mind such tasks as transportation and/or serving as a recording assistant when members would like to have a friendly helper for medical appointments; delivering meals or prescriptions; being new member buddies to introduce new members to our programs and services; teaching bridge or other card games, or visiting members in their homes for friendly chats and/or games.
One member needs a volunteer to drive her to San Jose on occasion to visit her ailing sister. Another would like a slow walking companion on Crissy Field. A third would like a person who enjoys elderly (it's all relative!) people to visit with her mother and perhaps play dominoes.
We would also be interested in learning about what other needs our members have so that we might be able to match volunteers to needs. Please let us know if you would like to use a volunteer or be a volunteer. GIve us a call at 415) 387-1375.
Join SF Village at Age March in San Francisco!
The first Age March in history will take place this summer in San Francisco and San Francisco Village will be there as a Friend of Age March to help promote positive images of aging. The March will bring attention to the need to end the myths, stereotypes and negative attitudes towards aging in our culture. We can still shine at 50, 60, 70, 80 and beyond. Don’t be ashamed of your age – be proud and celebrate it at the Age March.
When: Sunday, August 8th at 9:00 AM
Where: Crissy Field at Sports Basement, San Francisco
610 Old Mason Street, The Presidio
If you’d like to participate with the SF Village group, please:
1) Go to www.agemarch.org to register and learn more about the Age March
2) Then, call Gayle Uchida at (415) 387-1375 to let us know you’re registered, and we will give you details on where to meet the SF Village group.
Gail Sheehy and Belva Davis Star at San Francisco Village's First Benefit
With a crowd of almost two hundred people, San Francisco Village successfully 
kicked off its first fundraising event on June 15 at the Jewish Community Center by hosting best selling author Gail Sheehy in conversation about her new book – Passages in Caregiving – with broadcast journalist legend Belva Davis. Sheehy provided insights with stories about her personal experience as a caregiver to her husband and media pioneer, Clay Felker, and those of other Americans she interviewed emphasizing ways to keep “the caregiver healthy.”
While focusing on her book in the interview, Sheehy recognized SF Village for  being a pioneer, leader and resource in what she calls “sustainable aging.” She is a true believer in the Village movement, as is Belva Davis who sits on our Advisory Council.
To listen to the interview Belva conducted with Gail at KQED on Friday, June 18, click here.
In Memory of Norma F. Satten, a SF Village Member
and Ardent Advocate in the Field of Aging
 Norma F. Satten passed away in San Francisco after a brief illness on June 14, 2010, at age 87 years. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Joseph Satten; her children Neal, Debby and Sara Satten; her daughter-in-law, Rona Cordish Satten, and her grandchildren, Susanna Satten, Matthew Satten and Cory Edelson.
Norma has been described as the unofficial "mother of long-term care" in San Francisco. She held leadership roles in many organizations, including Stepping Stone (formerly North & South of Market Adult Day Health Center), Planning for Elders, the Mayor's Long Term Care Coordinating Council, the Laguna Honda Hospital Community Advisory Group, the In Home Health Task Force and the Community Living Campaign.Norma was a bright light whose big laugh and cheerful spirit carried many through even the most challenging times. She will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.
 San Francisco Village ProgramsCome 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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To view our calendar, go to our website.
Thursdays, July 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29
Beginning Yoga Class
9:00am - 10:15am, Cost: For SF Village members $7/class
120 St. Germain Avenue near Twin Peaks
Hosted by: Aurele Carlat
Call 415-387-1375 to RSVP. For questions, call Aurele 415-425-5086
Wednesday, July 7
Lunch Bunch - Indian Pakistani Delights
1:00pm - 2:30pm, Cost: $10-$12
Lahore Karahi, 612 O’Farrell at Leavenworth
Hosted by Dawn Ming
Call 415-387-1375 to RSVP and transportation information
Monday, July 12
San Francisco Village Book Club – “The Elegance of the Hedgehog” by Muriel Barbery
9:45am – 11:00am, Cost: Free
2372 Pine Street (between Fillmore and Steiner)
Hosted by: Margaret Johnson
Call 415-387-1375 to RSVP
Wednesday, July 14
Play Reading Group – “The Browning Version” by Terrance Rattigan
5:00pm – 7:00pm, Cost: Free
2841 Baker Street at Greenwich
Hosted by Vera Fields
Call 415-387-1375 to RSVP
Friday, July 16
Private Docent Tour of Fisher Art Collection at MOMA for SFV Members
10:15am – 11:30am, Cost: Free for MOMA members, $7 for non-MOMA member seniors
Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), 151 Third Street at Mission
Hosted by Jean Halvorsen
Call 415-387-1375 to RSVP and for more information. Registration closes July 7.
Note: Tour is limited to 25 SFV members. A wait list will be kept. All rsvp names and payments need to be received by SFV office before July 7. Payment for rsvp and wait list are non-refundable.
Wednesday, July 28
Spirituality Group
5:30pm – 7:30pm, Cost: Free
San Francisco Foundation, 225 Bush Street near Sansome
Hosted by Glady Thacher and Diana Arsham
Call 415-387-1375 to RSVP
SFV Partner Programs for July
Wednesdays July 7, 14, 21 and 28
“Always Active” Seniors Moving to Better Health Exercise Program
9:30am - 10:30am, Cost: Free
4620 California Street at St. James Parish Hall (between 8th and 9th Avenue)
Hosted by Episcopal Senior Communities
Call 415-752-0139 for more information
Mondays July 12, 19 and 26
“Always Active” Seniors Moving to Better Health Exercise Program
10:00am – 11:00am, Cost: Free
4620 California Street at St. James Parish Hall (between 8th and 9th Avenue)
Hosted by Episcopal Senior Communities
Call 415-752-0139 for more information
Wednesday, July 21
Deep Medicine - Book Signing and Discussion with Dr. William Stewart author, surgeon and holistic health pioneer and co-founder of the Institute for Health and Healing at CPMC
7:00pm – 8:15pm, Cost: Free
Books Inc Laurel Village, 3515 California Street
Hosted by Books Inc in partnership with San Francisco Village
Call 415-221-3666 for more information
Activities of Interest for July
Wednesday, July 21
The New Frontier on Aging Breakfast Series – Sexuality and Aging: What’s Sex Got to Do With It?
8:30am – 10:00am, Free
AlmaVia of SF, 1 Thomas Moore Way near Brotherhood Way
Hosted by: AgeSong
Call Elke at 415-318-8670 to RSVP and for more information
Tuesday, July 27
Communities for Aging: Strategies for Urban Living for Seniors – Evening Symposium
6:00pm, Cost: Free to SPUR members or $5 for non-members
San Francisco Planning & Urban Research (SPUR), 654 Mission Street between 2nd and 3rd.
Hosted by SPUR
Call 415-781-8726 to register and for more information
San Francisco Village Programs for August
Thursdays, August 5, 12, 19, and 26
Beginning Yoga Class
9:00am - 10:15am, Cost: For SF Village members $7/class
120 St. Germain Avenue near Twin Peaks
Hosted by: Aurele Carlat
Call 415-387-1375 to RSVP. For questions, call Aurele 415-425-5086
Tuesday, August 10
Private Docent Tour – California Bookbinder’s HBC Exhibition
12:00 Noon – 1:00pm, Cost: Free
Main Library, 100 Larkin Street between Grove and McAllister
Hosted by Signa Judy Houghteling
Call 415-781-8276 to rsvp and for more information
Tuesday, August 10
Lunch Bunch – Gyro King for Turkish Lunch Highlights following Bookbinder’s Docent Tour
1:30pm – 3:00pm, Cost: $10-15
Gyro King, 25 Grove Street between Larkin and Hyde near Main Library
Hosted by Signa Judy Houghteling
Call 415-781-8276 to rsvp and for more information
Wednesday, August 11
Play Reading Group – “Happy Journey” by Thornton Wilder and “Glory in the Flower” by William Inge
5:00pm – 7:00pm, Cost: Free
183 Edgewood near Parnassus
Hosted by Barbara Stevens
Call 415-387-1375 to RSVP
Monday, August 23
San Francisco Village Book Club – “In the Wake “by Per Petterson
9:45am – 11:00am, Cost: Free
2372 Pine Street (between Fillmore and Steiner)
Hosted by: Margaret Johnson
Call 415-387-1375 to RSVP
Tuesday, August 24
Walking Tour of Chinatown’s Alleyways – Youth Guides from Chinatown CDC Youth Program
10:30am -12:00 noon, Cost: $12
Hosted by Christabel Cheung and Chinatown Community Development Center
Call 415-387-1375 to RSVP for tour meeting point
Tuesday, August 24
Lunch Bunch – Chinatown Delights
12:00pm – 1:30pm, Cost: $10-$12
Hosted by Christabel Cheung
Call 415-387-1375 to RSVP and for restaurant location
Wednesday, August 25
Spirituality Group
5:30pm – 7:30pm, Cost: Free
San Francisco Foundation, 225 Bush Street near Sansome
Hosted by Glady Thacher and Diana Arsham
Call 415-387-1375 to RSVP
San Francisco Village Partner Programs for August
Mondays August 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30
“Always Active” Seniors Moving to Better Health Exercise Program
10:00am – 11:00am, Cost: Free
4620 California Street at St. James Parish Hall (between 8th and 9th Avenue)
Hosted by Episcopal Senior Communities
Call 415-752-0139 for more information
Wednesdays August 4, 11, 18 and 25
“Always Active” Seniors Moving to Better Health Exercise Program
9:30am - 10:30am, Cost: Free
4620 California Street at St. James Parish Hall (between 8th and 9th Avenue)
Hosted by Episcopal Senior Communities
Call 415-752-0139 for more information
Activities of Interest for August
Wednesday, August 4
Supporting Seniors – Community Programs for Urban Seniors
12:30pm – 1:30pm, Cost: Free to SPUR members, $5 for non-Spur members. OK to bring lunch.
San Francisco Planning & Urban Research (SPUR), 654 Mission Street between 2nd and 3rd.
Hosted by SPUR
Call 415-781-8726 to register and for more information.
Thursday, August 5
Institute on Aging (IOA) new Campus Walking Tour
12:30pm – 2:00pm, Cost: $10, SPUR members only.
Limit 25 people per tour.
Institute on Aging new campus at 3575 Geary Blvd near Arguello
Hosted by SPUR
Call 415-781-8726 to register and for more information
Sunday, August 8th
Age March
9:00 am
Crissy Field at Sports Basement, San Francisco
610 Old Mason Street, The Presidio
Hosted by: Age March
To register, got to http:// www.agemarch.org; then call 415-387-1375 to learn where to meet the SF Village Group.
Wednesday, August 18
The New Frontier on Aging Breakfast Series – High Tech and High Touch Elder Care
8:30am – 10:00am, Free
AgeSong at Laguna Grove,
Hosted by: AgeSong
Call Elke at 415-318-8670 to RSVP and for more information
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