Grey Bears Don’t Hibernate

By C.J.

Now that spring is officially here, the news is out that the Grey Bears at 2710 Chanticleer Ave, Santa Cruz have not been hibernating this past winter!

Tess Wood, Volunteer & Event Coordinator, balances the needs of all the diverse food distribution and recycling programs you find at Grey Bears. She’s also a busy developer of new and interesting activities for the numerous veteran volunteers, which also attracts new volunteers to get in on the action.

Most of us are familiar with the comprehensive recycling that goes on there but it’s more than just paper, plastic or cardboard, there is also the world of recycling for broken or outdated consumer electronics. For those who want to know more about how to use their electronics, on Mondays we can receive one-on-one instruction or consultation for our latest electronic marvel. Just next-door book lovers gather at the bookshop for new finds or old favorites and even to discover books from the 1800 and 1900’s.

Treasure hunters frequent the resale shop to find things that they can use. Do-it-yourselfers enjoy the quarterly Repair Cafe with “Fixit Coaches” taking care of all those “round-to-it” projects such as fixing my tire pump to be ready for spring bike riding.

Along with these popular services there’s a couple of new programs worth knowing about.

The Conference Room has now been opened up for both classes and onetime workshops. This includes a Chair Yoga class that is happening on Tuesdays and Fridays at 9:30. Be on the lookout for my “Playshop on Vision” – a short playful look at maintaining healthy eyesight throughout life complete with exercises and “insight” of what changes to expect as you age and how to take better care of your eyes.

It wouldn’t be Grey Bears without the famous bag lunch for volunteers program. The delicious news is that Chef Poppy, who graduated from Tante Marie’s Cooking School in San Francisco then interned at La Folie, is going to teach some classes. She was also a sous chef at Skywalker Ranch, George Lucas’s creative complex, and conducted food presentations.

Bon Appetit Magazine raved about the luncheons she prepared and she was also the Chef for the Nash Bridges Television Show on Treasure Island where she cooked for cast and crew. A fun part of her career was styling and cooking for food scenes. Tess always welcomes volunteer “foodies” that like to cook.

Anyone with fun interests or hobbies that would like to develop a class is welcome to present a proposal.

Come out of winter hibernation and this spring come to 2170 Chanticleer Avenue, or check out greybears.org/ourprograms. They have many opportunities for your specialty and area of interest. For more information call 831-479-1055 X226, email tess@greybears.org and learn more about how you can help make a difference.

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Comments and suggestions for Seniors In Action can be sent to cj@ComForCare.com