Retiree Connection

Thursday, May 5, 2011

The Retiree Connection Salutes CCJ And Gerry Garvey

Open Door, Circles of Support, Home Repair, Fair Start, Thrift Shop, Warm For Winter are just a few of the programs and services CCJ (Coalition For Compassion and Justice) provides our community. Thank you to Executive Director Gerry Garvey and all the CCJ Staff who work so hard to create support and advocacy to empower people to self-sufficiency.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Mother's Day Brunch All Proceeds Will Benefit Coalition For Compassion and Justice Programs

Chef Bryan Mother's Day
Reserve your seats now!
Make your reservations now for CCJ's Mother's Day Brunch, on Sunday, May 8th in Esther Hall at Prescott United Methodist Church! Call (928) 445-8382 with your preferred entree choice and seating time for hours between 12 noon and 3 p.m.

$20 per person, 2 for $35, Child's Plate (12 yrs. and under) $8.

Chef and staff will provide a full service buffet with your entree choice from the mesquite grill and choice of beverage.

Menu:
Assorted Pastries and Muffins, Bagels, Cream Cheese, Fresh Fruit,
Strawberry Field Green Salad with Candied Walnuts and Bleu Cheese Crumbles, Scrambled Eggs with Cream Cheese and Chives, Smoked Slab Bacon, Potatoes O'Bryan, Spinach and Crab Cake Eggs Benedict with Roasted Pepper Hollandaise Sauce
ENTREES
From the Mesquite Grill:
Top Sirloin with Carmelized Onions and Portabello Mushrooms
Filet of Salmon with Blackberry Compound Butter
Assortment of Balsamic Marinated Vegetables:
Broccolini, Mushrooms, Zucchini and Eggplant

Slow Cooked BBQ Vegan Pinto Beans
Dessert:
Dark Chocolate Mousse Cups, Peach and Apricot
Puff Pastry Bows

All proceeds help to serve local community members struggling with poverty.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Yavapai College Big Band Event

Yavapai College Trailblazers Big Band Presents
"A Ballroom Partner Dance"

"Yavapai College Trailblazer Big Band is so good you will not be able to stay in your seats"

Where: Prescott Resort’s Main Ballroom

When: Sunday, May 22, 2011 3:00-6:00 PM - Cash Bar (No Food)

Appropriate attire recommended.

Tickets are $10.00 per person from the YC Music Department.
Raffle Drawings and a Silent Auction will take place during this fun event!

Proceeds go toward the fund raising efforts to send the Yavapai College Big Bands to the 2012 Reno Jazz Festival at the University of Nevada at Reno.
Call 928-772-2045 for further information.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Painter Artist Charles Conrardy Shares Thoughts on Retirement And His Passions For Life

Painter/Artist Charles Conrardy shares how be came to be a painter and his philosophy on what to do in retirement. Charles is from the Bay Area in California and he and his wife came to Prescott, fell in love with it and retired here. They have a lovely home that is filled with his powerful and beautiful art pieces. For further information about his work contact Charles at concots@cableone.net

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Dr. James Horton Talks About Retirement, Yavapai College and Entering A New Phase In His Life

For those of you who don't know Dr. James Horton, President of Yavapai College is set to retire on December 31, 2010. He was kind enough to agree to a short video interview in which he revealed his thoughts on retirement, Yavapai College and his humble beginnings. We wish Dr. Horton the best and Yavapai College will certainly miss him as a President, a person and as a person who contributed so much of himself to support and sustain Yavapai College.

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Twenty Tickets Left For Jesus Christ SuperStar.

Jesus Christ Superstar at ASU Gammage Saturday, April 10th, bus leaves at 11 am, return by 8 pm Meet on the Yavapai College campus – by the flagpoles The first masterpiece from the legendary writing team of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, exploded onto the scene in 1971 changing the world of musical theatre forever. With a score of amazing songs - “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” “Hosanna,” “Everything’s Alright,” “What’s the Buzz,” “Superstar” and “Heaven on Their Mind,” this original groundbreaking production starring Ted Neeley in the title role is as relevant and timeless as ever. Cost: $85 per person for members/ $90/non-members, includes dinner at PF Chang’s For further information about OLLI, it’s classes and dynamic field trips Contact Patricia Berlowe @ 717-7634 or Deni Harris @ 717-717-7631

Retiree Connection "Water Smart" Commercials Are Aired

Travel Discounts for Volunteers and Educators!

Have you volunteered for eight hours with a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization? You can get a free or half-off night's stay at one of 53 hotels, which are scattered across 23 U.S. states. In other words: Give a day, get a night.

This promotion, which we just found out about on the Jauntsetter blog, is being offered by Sage Hospitality as a way to support volunteerism. They're only giving out a limited number of completely free hotel stays, but the 50% discounts will run through March 2010, so you have plenty of time to plan your getaway.

Sage also offers a deal for active and retired teachers and school administrators! Educators can get a 50% discount on rooms at all the company's hotels, up until December 30, 2009.

I love the idea behind these promotions. There are already plenty of rewards out there for those who travel frequently or have certain corporate affiliations. Now, people are getting rewarded for choosing to volunteer (anywhere!) or work in schools.

Disneyland and Disney World are planning to get in on the action too, starting in January 2010, when they'll offer free days at its theme parks after completing certain volunteer projects.

A Taste of Cinco de Mayo With Chef Bryan

Have A Craving For Some Great Mexican Food? Come to Lunch with Chef Bryan on Friday May 6, one day after Cinco de Mayo, and celebrate the cuisine of our neighbor to the south! The event will be held at Esther Hall in the Prescott United Methodist Church from 11am-2pm. It will be donation-only, with proceeds supporting the poverty relief services of the Coalition for Compassion and Justice. The menu: Fresh Salsa and Chips Guacamole Taco bar with all the fixins Tostadas, Burritos Carne Asada Slow-cooked Vegetarian Pinto Beans Spanish Rice Cinnamon chocolate mousse

Catholic Charities Needs Volunteers For Their Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is part of a federal initiative to ensure intended tax credits reach the underserved in our communities; this includes the low-moderate income population, the elderly, disabled, limited English proficient, non-urban and Native American tax-payers.

Under the most recent changes to tax regulations a qualified family with three children is eligible for up to $5,600.00. This is a life changing amount of money for families living at or below the poverty line. Catholic Charities is partnering with NACOG, New Horizons and United Way to bring this free service to the community. This is an organized and well structured volunteer run program. All returns will be prepared and submitted on-line using Tax Wise software.

For those who are interested but don't want to prepare returns the VITA program is also looking for screeners, quality reviewers, greeters, and bilingual assistance. Contact Haley Hyatt @ 708-7279 for more information.

Things To Do In May

"Immigration 101" Event

The Retiree Connection along with Sacred Heart Parish Church and Prescott College are collaborating on an immigration information session event for legal permanent residents, naturalization applicants and the general public. Topics covered in this informative event will be the immigration process, immigration fraud and how to prevent yourself from being a victim. The event will take place at Sacred Heart Parish Church on Thursday, May 5 from 6:00 - 9:00. Prescott College will provide great food and 5 bands during this empowering event. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo and the power of community. Phone 928-445-3141 Ext 323 with any further questions. Click on the image to take you to Sacred Heart Parish Citizenship Website.

Recipe, Holiday Wishes And The Promise Of Adventure From EdVentures

To put you in the mood for the holidays and for the EDventures trip to Italy in June, Sherry Cornett, a culinary instructor at Yavapai College, shares a favorite, healthy recipe for your family or gathering. Sherry will be leading the EDventures trip to Italy scheduled May 28 to June 7, 2011. You will travel through the regions of central Italy tasting the fruits of the fields – olive oils, balsamic vinegars, hams, cold cuts, cheeses, wines and herbs. Find out about the origins of the slow food movement while learning to cook from some of the best chefs of the country. Walk the ancient cobblestones where this favorite, distinctive style of cooking originated. For more information, please call Barbara at the EDventures office: 717-7755. Hurry, this trip will fill up quickly! Buon appetito!

Italian Holiday Pie Recipe From EdVentures

Ingredients * 1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie * 8 eggs * 1 1/2 cups cooked white rice * 2 pounds ricotta cheese * 2 cups white sugar * 1/4 cup candied orange peel * 1/4 cup candied lemon peel * 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract * 2 tablespoons milk Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). 2. In a large bowl, beat eggs until light and fluffy. Add rice, ricotta, sugar, orange rind, lemon rind, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Mix until thoroughly combined. 3. Roll out half of pastry to fit 10 inch deep-dish pie pan. Place pastry in pan, and fill with ricotta mixture. Roll out remaining pastry and cut 12 1-inch wide strips. Lay strips in a lattice pattern on top of filling. Brush pastry with milk. 4. Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour, until toothpick inserted in filling comes out clean.

OLLI Vista Alex Finnarn Bids Us Farewell

Alex is heading to Cleveland, Ohio to continue his Americorps VISTA experience with the Tremont West Development Corporation. He will assume the role of Community Organizer helping to revitalize the Tremont neighborhood in Cleveland. Alex has previously been involved in neighborhood restoration when he was down in New Orleans rebuilding homes in the community of Chalmette, LA, and he looks forward to helping out another community in late November. He will miss his friends in Prescott, the OLLI office, and of course working beside the lovely Donna Bellina.

AARP Hosts Community Health Forum In Prescott

Congress recently enacted a new health care law that will bring a number of benefits to Americans, including people 50 and over. In an effort to help people understand the new law, AARP Arizona will host a community forum in Prescott on Friday, July 30. The community forum will be held at the Prescott Community Adult Center, 1280B East Rosser in Prescott from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, July 30. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is requested as seating is limited. To register click on the image above.

Jodie Buehler Producer of Senior Moment wins Program of the Year Award

Cudos to Jodie Buehler, Administrative Assistant for The Division of Lifelong Learning for winning the Public ACCESS 13 award for the Community Service Program of the Year. From all of us in the Division of Lifelong Learning (OLLI, Community Education/College for Kids, EDventures and The Retiree Connection) congratulations Jodie. We also want to extend our appreciation to all of you who voted for our monthly public access television show called Senior Moment: Successful Aging. We couldn’t have done it without your votes. Thank you!

Deni Harris teaches Wise Women's Gathering for Community Education

Never have I heard so much laughter or seen such a full class. OLLI staff member Deni Harris has managed to bring women together to help them discover their gift of feminine wisdom and apply it to navigating their lives in peace. Deni's class starts with the book "Taking The Leap" by Pema Chodron. I don't know what they're doing in there but it sure sounds fun. I think it may be life changing. For further information about the Wise Women's Gathering class contact Heather Hurst in Community Education at 928-717-7638. To read excerpts from "Taking the Leap" click on Deni's (in blue) lovely picture.

Alex's Corner

AmeriCorps VISTA Alex Finnarn says the best thing about being the Technology Director for OLLI at the Prescott campus is the great stories the members share with him. They offer advice and share their own life experience which has added value to some of the decisions Alex has had to make concerning issues within his project. "We're both learning better ways to communicate with each other. The members are starting to embrace some technology and I'm gaining insight from their own life experience." Alex is from the "Buckeye" State of Ohio and apparently it is common practice to wear a red nose when interviewed. It's great having Alex in the Division of Lifelong Learning as a fellow VISTA, co-worker and friend. Nice Alex.

Greeters needed for "Animals In Art Event" held at Prescott Fine Arts Gallery

The Animals In Art show at Prescott Fine Arts Gallery will open on April 30 with the reception taking place from 5 – 7 pm. In conjunction with the animal theme, they will be inviting a few animal rescue groups and animal related vendors to have tables on their patio area. If you are a non-profit you will not be required to pay the $10.00 table fee. They will provide participants with a table. This is a great chance for animal organizations to talk to visitors and distribute their materials. This wonderful event helps to stimulate awareness and revenue to the wonderful organizations that rescue, board, rehabilitate and adopt animals. The event is open to the public. Please contact Scott Heide @ 458-9521 or Raelynn Wrinkle @ 899-8869.

National Volunteer Week - Nominate Outstanding Volunteers

Call to Action

National Volunteer Week is April 18 - 24

It's that time of year again: time to honor the volunteers who have helped your organization be its best. Whether they've donated an hour, a day, or have made a long-term commitment, National Volunteer Week is the time to say thank you.

Take a moment to think about the ways you can show volunteers your appreciation. Remember, even a simple gesture such as a handmade card or a pizza party can go a long way. Over at HandsOn Network, organizations can nominate volunteers for a number of awards that honor outstanding commitment to making a difference.