Welcome to Nancy’s Bulletin Board!  This Board connects us in real time with updates on events, activities, community resources and with your feedback.

At the bottom of the page please leave a positive comment, story, joke, pun, riddle or timely community news to post on the board.  Resident art and photography has a place to be shared on this website’s “Show and Tell” board.  Please email me your contribution at general_activity@scaclw.com and confirm that you want it published here.

To make a reservation on the calendar please email me at general_activity@scaclw.com or leave me a voicemail at 727-799-2734 with the type of event that you are planning and for whom, preferred date and room.  I will review the calendar for availability.  Once we confirm a reservation, I will direct you to complete the online Facility Request form or you may stop in the Community Service Office to pick up a paper Facility Request form to complete and submit in that office where I have a mail box.

If you are a new resident and have questions, please attend our Good Neighbor’s “Get Acquainted & Coffee” on the second Thursday of each month 8:30 – 11:00 at the East Activity Center Auditorium.  I will be available after the event at 11 am to answer your questions and or take you on a tour of the Activity Centers. A meeting by appointment in my office is also an option.  Email me at general_activity@scaclw.com or give me a call at 799-2734.  

Cruising the Riviera & the River Rhone

(note: Jan is a resident of On Top of the World and writes for “Lifestyles After 50″ magazine.  She recently received an award for Profile from NAMPA (North America Mature Publishers Association)

By Jan Larraine Cox

Suggested Title:  Cruising the Riviera & the River Rhone

Starting from La Cote D’Azur on the Mediterranean Sea a seaworthy ship named River Chanson carried us in style from the Riviera nearly to Paris.  We passed ancient landmark buildings and maneuvered under bridges, thanks to our adept young captain.

Our first stop was at Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera.  Cinque Terre National Park features clusters of terraces which are fastened to cliffs that drop dramatically into the sea.  A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cinque Terre is comprised of five captivating villages, most of which are connected solely by pathways and train stations.  Delightfully free of car traffic and pollution, we entered a world we would love to remain in!

The next stop was Genoa, home of Christopher Columbus and the capital of the Italian Riviera.  Once a rival to Venice, Pisa, and Amalfi, Genoa remains a grand maritime city.

On our way north on the Rhone River, we docked across from the well known Papacy of Avignon.  We were treated to an unbelievably stunning nighttime view at the lavish Roman Catholic building where popes resided from 1309-1377.  It was lit up for our viewing pleasure.

A magnificent example of Gothic architecture of the 14th century, it includes the Palais Vieux built in the reign of Benedict XII.  To the south is the Palais Neuf which was built by his successor, Clement VI, and houses the papal chapel. 

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame des Doms, lies to the north of the Papal Palace, and dates from 1150.  The Petit Palais , begun in 1317, was the original residence of the bishops of Avignon.

Known as the “City of Popes”, Avignon was the beautiful location for which the popes left the turmoil of Rome, and rather installed themselves in this calm possession of the Catholic Church.  They built residences, chateux, fortified palaces, and churches at Avignon, and most notably, The Palace of the Popes.

We visited Arles on a walking tour, a town that was beloved by Vincent van Gogh.  The keepers of this land are called its guardians, similar to American cowboys.  They live here with their families, often several generations together, creating their lifestyles while following both the needs of their livestock and Nature.

It is also possible to visit the hospital where Van Gogh stayed and painted Hospital in Arles, and where he famously cut off his ear.  At the Café L’Alcazar, the still standing building that inspired the painting Café Terrace at Night, the café manager, Madame Ginoux, was Van Gogh’s model for the painting he entitled L’Arlesienne.

Artist Claude Monet’s beloved location Giverny lies in the countryside nearby the other sites we visited and which inspired his art.  His home and gardens are now a museum dedicated to Monet.  His son Michel left these locations to the Academie des Beaux-Arts in 1966.  Now they comprise a museum dedicated to Claude Monet.

The house is furnished as it was when Monet, the leader of the Impressionist School, lived there, including his precious collection of Japanese engravings.

 

Area on Aging Agency S.H.I.N.E.

SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) is a Free program offered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco & Pinellas. Specially trained volunteers can assist you with your Medicare, Medicaid, and Health insurance questions by providing one-on-one counseling and information.

SHINE services are free, unbiased, and confidential

SHINE Counselors can be reached by calling 1-800-963-5337 or 727-217-8111.

SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) is a Free program offered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco & Pinellas. Specially trained volunteers can assist you with your Medicare, Medicaid, and Health insurance questions by providing one-on-one counseling and information.

 

DECEMBER ZOOM MEETINGS

  • Medicare Part C Advantage Plans Zoom meeting with SHINE Wednesday, December 6th  2023, at 10:00 am

(Provides an overview of Medicare Advantage Plan options available in Florida)

When: Dec 6, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpf-Gvpj0rE9CO0_xk96HySPE5xCMmE-Z0

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

 

  • Medicare Part C Advantage Plans Zoom meeting with SHINE Wednesday, December 13th, 2023, at 10:00 am

(Provides an overview of Medicare Advantage Plan options available in Florida)

When: Dec 13, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYoduyqqD4rHtS8JKowo0jBFrxV5v6g5TWP

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

 

Medicare Basics with SHINE Zoom meeting on December 20th at 10:00 am 

(Provides an overview of the different parts of Medicare including Parts A, B, C, D, Medigap, and available financial assistance)

When: Dec 20, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0qfu6ppjIoEtfx1dHeQL-he9Lb5Wrzp1qY

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

 

  • Medicare Part D Drug Plan Zoom meeting with SHINE Wednesday, December 27th , 2023, at 10:00 am

(Provides an overview of Part D Drug plan options available in Florid

When: Dec 27, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMvduugqTMpHd0exl2lBP0m1xQZRF0ChZk0

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           

September 2023     
                                                           

Statewide Program Provides Free, Unbiased Insurance Counseling for Medicare Beneficiaries

Older Floridians are encouraged to review plan options during Open Enrollment

 St. Petersburg– The Area Agency on Aging Pasco-Pinellas is reminding residents that their Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders (SHINE) program has specifically-trained counselors to help educate and empower Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to understand their health care options so they can make the best decisions for their individual needs during the Open Enrollment period. During open enrollment, beneficiaries can change their Medicare Prescription Drug or Medicare Advantage plan to effect things like cost, coverage, drug formularies, in-network providers, and pharmacies.

“Medicare can be a daunting subject for most people and the Open Enrollment Period only runs from Oct. 15, 2023, through Dec. 7, 2023, but you don’t have to go it alone. During this time, lean on our experts for advice and utilize a local, valuable resource by connecting with the SHINE program,” said Ann Marie Winter, Executive Director.

SHINE is a program of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and is operated locally through The Area Agency on Aging Pasco-Pinellas. The SHINE mission is to provide free and unbiased information about Medicare and Medicaid for beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers. SHINE also educates beneficiaries to protect, detect, and report potential errors, fraud, and abuse with their Medicare coverage. SHINE strongly encourages beneficiaries to be on the lookout for their Annual Notice of Change (ANOC), which they should receive from their plan no later than Sept. 30, 2023. Reviewing their benefits and evaluating their health care options each year is vitally important for beneficiaries. Acting quickly can assure a smooth transition into the 2024 benefit year.

To receive help from SHINE, individuals may call to schedule appointments at designated SHINE counseling sites, attend enrollment events in their local communities, or arrange to speak with a trained SHINE counselor at 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337). For a listing of SHINE counseling sites and enrollment events, please visit www.floridashine.org.

LOOKING FOR A VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY?

Give One Day a Week, Make a Lifetime of a Difference

Neighborly/Meals on Wheels (MOW) Pinellas County urgently needs volunteers to deliver lunchtime meals to approximately 10 homebound seniors. All it takes is 1 1/2 – 2 hours a week and your vehicle! Shifts are weekdays from 10:30am to 12:30pm. Choose the day that works best for you and your location; we have nine throughout Pinellas County! To learn more and to apply, visit: https://link.zixcentral.com/u/c3dc50ca/dq6Yoyuz6xGde-MTgdRvyg?u=https%3A%2F%2Fneighborly.org%2Fvolunteer-opportunities%2F

Give the Gift of a Lift! 

Imagine you no longer had transportation…how would you go to the pharmacy or get to the doctor? Last year Neighborly helped seniors get to over 10,000 appointments and we need your help to handle overflow requests. If you love to drive, have a safe driver record, a 2006 (or newer) vehicle, and enjoy helping seniors, this is for you! Neighborly has safety protocols to keep volunteers, and our clients, safe. Volunteers do not transport individuals in wheelchairs and do not lift clients. Choose one weekday or more in any region of Pinellas County. Volunteers use their own vehicle and generally serve between two and four hours a week (but can do more).To learn more or to apply, please visit https://link.zixcentral.com/u/c3dc50ca/dq6Yoyuz6xGde-MTgdRvyg?u=https%3A%2F%2Fneighborly.org%2Fvolunteer-opportunities%2F and complete the online application and choose your orientation date (be sure to choose an orientation for Transportation Drivers!).  

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority – Link to Current Schedule and Fares

Traveling in Pinellas County has gotten easier with PSTA’s (Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority) bus and mobility programs. As always, we recommend that you plan your trip before you go out. You can do so by calling our information line  (727 540-1900) or by planning your trip through google maps.

Use bus route 62 or 76 to go to Countryside Mall, Tyrone Mall, Shoppes at Boot Ranch, Downtown Clearwater, and one transfer away from the Beach Trolley. Currently we ask that all riders board through the back of the bus and wear their mask properly throughout the entire trip. The bus service is currently free, but we will resume charging bus fares July 5th.

Current bus fares:

Route19: https://link.zixcentral.com/u/7a3b631b/pGzOwOW06xGtEGLdYFsSiw?u=https%3A%2F%2Fpsta.net%2Fmedia%2F5112%2Froute-19-020721.pdf

Route 62: https://link.zixcentral.com/u/ed5ba217/XtrOwOW06xGtEGLdYFsSiw?u=https%3A%2F%2Fpsta.net%2Fmedia%2F5143%2Froute-62-020721.pdf

Route 76: https://link.zixcentral.com/u/7cd40a78/ZDPPwOW06xGtEGLdYFsSiw?u=https%3A%2F%2Fpsta.net%2Fmedia%2F5149%2Froute-76-020721.pdf

If the bus stop is not near your home, you can use our Direct Connect program that offers you a $5 discount to travel to or from a Direct Connect location (see picture for nearest Direct Connect location).  Use UBER, Lyft, or United Taxi to get to a Direct Connect location and then transfer to a bus to get to your destination.

Program Service Hours: 5:00a.m. until midnight – 7 days a week from

Link to program: https://link.zixcentral.com/u/1adca276/KA-QwOW06xGtEGLdYFsSiw?u=https%3A%2F%2Fpsta.net%2Friding-psta%2Fdirect-connect%2F

FLORIDA VETERANS SUPPORT LINE

Talk with someone who’s been there.
If you or your loved one needs support or connections to community resources, call the Florida Veterans Support Line at 1-844-MyFLVet (693-5838) and talk to a trained specialist. Many of them are fellow veterans. Available 24/7 every day, all conversations are confidential and judgement-free.
All calls are:
Confidential
Available 24/7 every day

https://www.myflvet.com/

HURRICANE TIPS

  1. Purchase a battery-operated radio and a supply of batteries.
  2. Purchase flashlights with batteries. Use caution when using candles.
  3. Get an ice chest. Stock up on a week’s worth of water, food that won’t spoil, pet supplies, toilet paper, purchase a battery-operated fan.
  4. Refill medical prescriptions.
  5. Go to an ATM or bank and get cash.
  6. Fill your vehicle with gas. Fill a lawn mower container with gas.
  7. Do you need a generator? Never operate a generator indoors.
  8. Recharge cell phone batteries and use only when necessary.
  9. If you are evacuating, tell people where you are evacuating to and leave you contact information.
  10. Bring lawn furniture and outdoor decorations indoors.
  11. Sign up for the RAVE alert system from OTOW.
  12. Community updates will be posted on otowclearwaterinfo.com,

OTOW-TV Channel 732 and the Box Office (otowboxoffice.com).

  1. Make sure you have a first-aid kit, including bandages, ointments.
  2. Make sure important documents are safely stored.
  3. Don’t forget rain gear, blankets and home entertainment.

Don’t panic, but you may not have internet service for days.

WHEN A STORM HAS PASSED

  1. Do not go outside and begin cleanup on your own. Let OTOW

employees remove limbs and all damage. There could be wires down.

  1. Traffic lights may be out. Stop at all intersections.