IN THIS ISSUE
SLO Village Picnic: Community & Connection
Wildfire Season is Here! – Sign up for alerts
Board Member Spotlight
Upcoming Events & Activities
Transportation Workshop
How is Mobility Related to Safety?
SLO Village Annual Report 2020
Planned Giving
Gubernatorial Recall Election – Please be sure to vote
Improving Access to Medications
Health Safety Tips to Keep You out of the Hospital
Quarterly Newsletter, Vol.3
September 2021
A Picnic of Connection and Celebration
By: Corene Canaan, Office Manager
On a sunny July afternoon, SLO Village gathered at Meadow Park in SLO to
celebrate friendship and community. We enjoyed catching up with one another
after over a year of sheltering at home. There was a noticeable excitement in
the buzz of conversation among the members, volunteers, and guests. Richard,
a SLO Village volunteer said, “After a year of isolation, it is great to see friends
again!”
Volunteers and members who had joined SLO Village during the pandemic,
were able to meet one another and other Villagers for the first time! Each of
the 36 attendees brought a sack lunch and SLO Village provided watermelon,
cookies, and beverages.
After over a year of cancelled trips, postponed celebrations and keeping friends
and family at a distance, many of us have felt lonely and isolated. However, the
connection to SLO Village meant seeing and hearing from a volunteer
regularly. Groceries were purchased, prescriptions were picked up, and pen
pals started writing to each other. Gardening, home maintenance, computer
and cell phone assistance continued, helping all of us feel less isolated.
The picnic provided an opportunity to celebrate our connections with one
another, to see faces (and smiles) again and enjoy interesting conversations –
the best remedy for our collective pandemic blues.
It was a great afternoon of enjoying the simple things in life: friendships,
sunshine, summer watermelon, and being part of a caring community.
Stay tuned for our next event!
Wildfire Season is Here!
Please make sure that you are signed up for alerts at all three levels:
city, county, and utility company. Before wildfire strikes, it is important that
you prepare yourself and your home for the possibility of having
to evacuate. Here are three actions that should be completed and familiar
to all members of your household long in advance of a wildfire.
1. Create a Wildfire Action Plan that includes evacuation planning for
your home, family and pets.
2. Assemble an Emergency Supply Kit for each person in your
household.
3. Fill-out a Family Communication Plan that includes important
evacuation and contact information.
CAL FIRE is asking residents to ensure they are prepared for wildfires
including maintaining a minimum of 100 feet of Defensible Space around
every home. Here are some tips to help prepare your home and property:
• Clear all dead or dying vegetation 100 feet around all structures.
• Landscape with fire resistant/drought tolerant plants.
• Find alternative ways to dispose of landscape debris like chipping or
hauling it to a biomass energy facility.
For additional information on preparing for and preventing wildfires
visit readyforwildfire.org
When did you last change your smoke detector battery?
Most fatal fires occur at night. Every home needs working smoke alarms to
provide an early warning. Install smoke alarms in all sleeping rooms,
hallways that lead to sleeping areas and each additional level of your
home. Smoke alarms should be mounted on the ceiling 4” from the wall;
wall mounts should be 4-12” from the ceiling. Do not install near draft areas
(windows, vents). Call your local fire department if you are unsure about
placement.
Prepare and practice an escape plan! Crawl low under smoke. Plan
where to meet outside. Once you’re out, Stay out! Did you know that almost
every day a smoke alarm saves somebody’s life?
If you are a SLO Village member, call the office (805-242-6440) to make a
service request to have your smoke alarm battery changed, dead
vegetation cleared, advice on drought tolerant plants for your yard, or help
with an Action Plan or Emergency Supply Kit.
If you rely on medical equipment powered by electricity, be sure to
enroll in the Medical Baseline Program. This program offers rate
discounts, additional PSPS notifications and other benefits. It is NOT based
on income; it is for residential customers who depend on power for certain
medical needs. Learn more in a short video or click here for more
information.
CAL FIRE
San Luis Obispo Headquarters
Monday – Friday 8:00AM-5:00PM
(805) 543-4244
FOR EMERGENCIES DIAL 9-1-1
The Village Movement first appeared on my radar when I took a course in
Gerontology. I loved the idea of a collaborative, peer-led organization
that recognizes what older adults can do for themselves and others and
provides practical support to keep them doing it. It was great to find a
Village right here in San Luis Obispo, and I was excited to join the Board in
2017.
That Gerontology course was one of my first steps in a long-planned
change of direction from practicing construction law to helping people
navigate the challenges of aging, healthcare and caregiving. Joining
the Long Term Care Ombudsman Services program in San Luis
Obispo was another step along that path. I completed the training and
have served as an ombudsman since 2013; I find it the most
worthwhile thing I’ve ever done.
My husband, Pat, and I were late to the marriage game. We celebrated our
fifth wedding anniversary last December with a hike up Gaviota Peak.
(We’d tried to do the hike several times before, but turned back short of the
top because I got whiney – it was too hot, or too wet, or too ….). He
surprised me at the top with a beautiful ring he’d had made for me, an
unexpected and romantic move. Would he have given me the ring if I
hadn’t made it all the way? I’ll never know.
We live in Nipomo with our two dogs and two cats.
BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Linda Beck – President
SLO VILLAGE ANNUAL REPORT 2020
2020 was a busy year for SLO Village!
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, our members’ needs grew exponentially. Older adults,
especially those living alone, were at serious risk of both illness and isolation. SLO Village
quickly rose to meet the new challenges. Our volunteers shopped for groceries, walked pets,
mowed lawns, taught Zoom skills, and made check-in phone calls so no one felt abandoned.
And we went further to keep the SLO Village community connected. Our popular monthly
coffees moved to weekly Zoom conversations and grew in popularity! It wasn’t long before
we added Zoom Happy Hours and movie discussion groups. We distributed “Fun Bags” with
activities to enjoy at home and initiated safe, socially distanced porch visits.
Our membership has remained steady. Some members moved away, while new members
joined because they were suddenly isolated and unsure about the safety of going to the
grocery store. New volunteers stepped up to replace those who chose to stay home.
In 2020, our volunteers provided:
• 312 rides
• 31 technology assistance calls or visits
• 76 in-home service requests
• 55 grocery shopping trips and medication pick-ups
• 12 home maintenance projects
• 14 porch visits
• 400 check-in calls to SLO Village members
WE THANK ALL OUR DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS WHO HAVE CARRIED OUT THE TASKS
THAT KEPT SLO VILLAGE MEMBERS ENGAGED AND SAFE THIS UNPRECEDENTED YEAR!
SLO VILLAGE HISTORY
SLO Village was founded in 2015 by a group of local active seniors who wanted their
retirement to be one of engagement and purposeful activity. SLO Village was officially
founded in August 2016 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Since then, SLO Village has grown to a community of over 100 members and volunteers. In
January 2020 Kerry Sheets was hired as the half-time Executive Director. As the financial
summary shows, SLO Village has kept its overhead expenses low. Nearly one-third of all SLO
Village members pay reduced membership fees based on financial need.
STAFF and BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kerry Sheets, Executive Director
Linda Beck, President
Dave Kuykendall, Vice President
Ann Robinson, Treasurer
Sally Kruger, Corresponding Secretary
Tauria Linala, Recording Secretary
Laine Amaral, Board Member
Meredith Bates, Board Member
FINANCIALS
FUNDING SOURCES
Membership dues provide approximately half of SLO Village’s income. Donations, primarily
from individuals, provide the rest of the revenue, along with a small amount of grant funding.
ASSETS
Current Assets
Bank Accounts
CHECKING
95,791.35
Total Bank Accounts
95,791.35
Total Current Assets
95,791.35
TOTAL ASSETS
95,791.35
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Total Liabilities
Equity
Retained Earnings
72,314.96
Net Revenue
23,476.39
Total Equity
95,791.35
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
95,791.35
Restricted Funds
Restricted for Marketing
9,500.00
SLO City grant for subsidies
500.00
Restricted to member subsidies
4,843.50
Total Restricted Funds
14,843.50
Unrestricted Funds
80,947.85
38%
9%
43%
10%
COST BREAKDOWN
Administration & Overhead Advertising & Marketing
Programs & Services Fundraising
UPCOMING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
COFFEE & CONVERSATION
1st Wednesdays @ 10 A.M.
Virtual presentations via Zoom by various organizations from the Central Coast
community. Our next presentation will be September 1 @ 10 a.m. on “Know How 2
Go” – Transportation Services in SLO County
3rd Wednesday @ 10 A.M
LIVE! Join SLO Village members and volunteers outside at a local coffee shop for
riveting conversation, delicious hot drinks, and pastries.
MOVIE DISCUSSION
1st Thursday @ 10 a.m.
Come discuss the monthly movie from the comfort of your own living room. On
September 2 at 10 a.m., we will be discussing “The Dig”. Based on a true story in the
1930s, Wealthy landowner, Edith Pretty, hires amateur archaeologist Basil Brown, to
investigate mounds on her property in England. He and his team discover something
that forever changes history. Available on Netflix.
BOOK CLUB
Our office manager is seeking all book lovers to participate in a monthly book club.
This group will begin meeting every 2nd Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. If you are
interested or want to learn more, please contact our office by phone or email
(office@slovillage.org, 805-242-6440).
Check out slovillage.org for our social activities calendar.
Mobility Options Workshop via Zoom
On Wednesday, September 1 at 10 a.m., Savannah Gil, the Mobility
Options Specialist for the Travel Training Office of SLOCOG, will tell us
about all the services and resources offered by her office, including the
newly designed and updated Know How to Go Guides. She can help
identify the best modes and services for you—be it public transit, shuttle,
carpool/vanpool, medical transportation, and more!
If you would like a printed copy of the Know How to Go Guide, please
email TravelTrainer@slocog.org or call (805) 776-8700.
Door-to-Door Transportation for Seniors
SLOCOG continues to fund Senior Go! Transportation for seniors, 65+, in
San Luis Obispo County. Current hours of operation are 7:00 AM to 5:00
PM, Monday through Friday, and 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Saturdays. For
more information about Senior Go! visit www.sloseniorgo.org.
To book a ride, call (805) 473-3333!
Have you ever been worried about the safety and mobility of an older
adult? 
Richard Kriet, physical therapist and long-time SLO Village Volunteer,
will present a workshop on everything you need to know about:
• Safely transferring individuals with mobility challenges in and out of the
car
• How you can protect yourself and the person you are helping
• The balance between being helpful and being annoying
• Basic principles of safety (high school physics revisited)
• Who needs more help? Who’s at risk of falling? When should you be
worried?
• Managing walkers and canes
• Getting up from and down to low surfaces
Participants will have opportunities to practice. There will be refreshments
and time to meet other volunteers and members immediately after the
training. 
Please wear your masks! They are required at the Gala Pride &
Diversity Center.
Parking is available on Palm Street, in the back parking lot or in the
parking structure. 
Questions? Please call or email Megan McGreen, 805-748-
3372 or megan@slovillage.org.
Need transportation? Call the SLO Village Office, 805-242-6440, at least
72 hours in advance.
Mark Your Calendar!
A Practical, In-Person Training for
Volunteers and Members
Tuesday, September 7, 1:30-3:00 pm
Located at: GALA Pride & Diversity Center
A Special Opportunity for Those 70½ Years Old and Older:
You can give any amount (up to a maximum of $100,000) per year from
your IRA directly to a qualified charity such as SLO Village without having
to pay income taxes on the money. Gifts of any value $100,000 or less are
eligible for this benefit. This popular gift option is commonly called the IRA
charitable rollover, but you may also see it referred to as a qualified
charitable distribution, or QCD for short.
SAMPLE language for a request to an IRA administrator:
RE: Request for Charitable Distribution from IRA
Dear IRA Administrator:
Please accept this letter as my request to make a direct charitable
distribution from my Individual Retirement Account #
______________________ as provided in Section 408(d)(8) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Please issue a check in the amount of $___________ payable to SLO
Village, P.O. Box 15038, San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
SLO Village's Federal Tax Identification Number is 81-2165670.
In your transmittal to SLO Village, please include my name and address as
the donor of record in connection with this distribution. Please copy me on
your transmittal.
It is my intention that this distribution qualify for exclusion from my taxable
income as a qualified charitable distribution during the 2021 tax year.
Therefore, it is imperative that this distribution be delivered to SLO
Village no later than December 31, 2021.
If you have any questions or need to contact me, I can be reached at
__________.
Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
DON’T FORGET TO VOTE!
California Gubernatorial
Recall Election September 14, 2021
Have you received your Voter Information Guide and election ballot yet?
These are being mailed to all registered voters in California. Voting is a
privilege of citizenship in the United States. Have you decided how you will
vote? Whatever your thoughts are about this Recall, we encourage you to
exercise your right to vote. Please complete the ballot and return it as soon
as you can.
Return your vote-by-mail ballot by mail with prepaid postage as long as it's
postmarked by September 14, 2021 or in-person to a secure ballot drop
box, to a voting location or your county elections office by 8:00 p.m. on
September 14, 2021.
If you are a SLO Village member and would like to submit your ballot at
the Post Office, a designated ballot drop-off location, or your designated
polling place and need transportation, please call our office to request a
ride. Please call at least 48 hours in advance, 805-242-6440.
APA is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization. EIN 20-3117940
506 E. Plaza Drive Suite 5, Santa Maria
Main Office: 805-614-2040
Referral Line: 805- 614-2073
Mixteco Interpreter Line: 805-936-0339
Monday-Friday 11:00 AM-5:00 PM
Advocates@APAmeds.org
Contact one of APA's client advocates by phone to determine eligibility. APA client advocates will
research patient assistance or discount programs to help reduce medication costs based on financial
and medical needs.
How The Alliance For Pharmaceutical Access
Advocacy Program Works
APA client advocates will complete the application. The MD will provide a prescription and sign the
paperwork. The application will be sent to the pharmaceutical company.
When the application is approved, the medication(s) will ship directly to the client's home or MD's
office. Most enrollment is valid for one year.
Health Safety Tips to Keep You out of the Hospital
by Sally Kruger, Board Member
The SLO Village Coffee Group recently devoted three of our weekly Zoom meetings to
the important topic of health safety. Michelle Zulim-Clark, Health Education Specialist
for the County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Department, presented the classes.
Prior to the pandemic, these classes were taught in-person and usually ran for six
weeks, including practice sessions on how – and how not – to fall.
In addition to her engaging and practical sessions, Michelle made available useful
materials, such as the “Fall Prevention Participant Manual”, the booklet that
accompanies the class she teaches at Cuesta College and “Safe Use of Medicines”
from the National Institute on Aging. She also provided practical items that reinforced
her teaching: pill boxes, squeeze balls (to increase hand strength and decrease stress),
eyeglass cleaning cloths, and lighted keychains.
The Fall Prevention manual has simple assessment questions and physical tests that
will help anyone assess their ability to balance and determine their risk for falls. After
the risk assessment is complete, the next step is learning how to minimize that risk. The
classes and materials provide suggestions for how to make your body stronger and
improve your balance.
An important part of reducing your risk of falls is to eliminate trip hazards in your home.
An entire session could have been spent on this topic alone! Both SLO Village and the
SLO County Health Department offer home inspections to help you find fall hazards that
you may not notice because they weren’t a hazard before, but they are now! We
learned that 60% of falls happen in and around our homes. We spend a lot of time
there, so we need to take the time to make our homes as safe as possible. Click Here to
read the full article…
For more information on classes or fall prevention, please contact:
Michelle Zulim-Clark, Health Education Specialist
zulimclark@co.slo.ca.us
805-781-1561
View our calendar online. Check us out on Facebook. Visit our website.
PO Box 15038 San Luis Obispo, CA 93406 Office@slovillage.org 805-242-6440