Volunteer of the Month
Archives

September 2018
Ed & Vivian Foster

Photo of Ed & Vivian Foster

This month we don’t just have one Volunteer to show kudos upon, we have two! Ed & Vivian Foster are our newest Thrift Store volunteers. They actually came to us thanks to Vivian who was a member. Once they retired following twenty-five years of retail experience, Vivian told Ed that they should help us out at the Thrift Store. That was all it took. They first started out by bringing in store shelves and then by arranging the stock. Now they work 1-2 days a week moving the items from our center to your house. Ed was originally from Fort Huron, Michigan, and came west to Long Beach thanks to the navy. It was fate that the two met at the Central City Mall (the Carousel mall to you youngsters) where they both worked, each taking turns as the other’s supervisor at various stores. They worked so well together they ended up with six kids, fifteen grandkids, and eight great-grandkids! Thanks to Ed & Vivian for arranging our store and for arranging your time to help us out.

Featured Class

Italian
Date: September 14, 2018
Time: 9:00 - 10:00 am
Length: 8
Cost: $8 members
      $8 non-members
Instructor: Rita Sicilliano
Location: Game Room
Description: We welcome back an old class, Italian. The class is taught by Margherita Sicilliano. Margherita, who also goes by the names Margo or Rita, and is from the old country. Born in Caserta, Italy, she was actually born in the Italian Royal Palace (the Reggia di Caserta). Her mom was touring the palace when she went into labor. Not many people can say that they were born in a royal palace, much less a UNESCO World Heritage Site! Raised and educated in Italy, she was still in college when she came with her family to the United States. She continued with her education getting a Bachelor's Degree. She then went back to Italy to get her Master's Degree. Her teaching experience spans 42 years and includes teaching high school French, Spanish, and Italian in New York, as well as French and Spanish Advanced Placement classes at the local Aquinas High School. After retiring some friends told her about the center. She took a trip here and discovered a fellow Italian, Virginia Kautzman, and the two became friends. Margo also found out about our University Language classes, and decided to get back into teaching. She approached us about teaching here, and after offering a choice between Italian and German, everyone decided that Italian would be perfect. Now it is the only Italian class being offered in the area. Student’s need to bring only a pencil and paper to class. There is a work book students can purchase through Amazon for $16, but it is not necessary. The class is open to absolute beginners and those who wish to keep up their Italian. A presto! See you soon!

Featured Activity

Mens Poker
Time: Mondays 10:30 am
Cost: No Cost members
       non-members
Location:
Description: Feeling Lucky? Come join us.
Lost Pet Scam Targeting Seniors
By:
According to a report given to us from the City of Highland, scam artists are now preying on seniors who have lost a pet. The scam artist’s goal is to con you out of your money. This scam most often happens when a scam artist sees the ad or flyer that you have posted for your lost pet and: Uses the description from your ad to convince you that he/she has your pet and then demands a reward to return your pet. Claims to be a truck driver who found your injured pet while driving in your area.

The scam artist then asks that you wire money or provide your credit card information to pay for the veterinarian bill before your pet can be returned. Offers to return your pet for a reward, when it was the scam artist who stole your pet! Seniors are being tricked by scam artists pretending to have their pets!

The following tips are recommended: License your pet properly; senior discounts may be available. Consider micro-chipping your pet; senior discounts may be available. Attach a tag with your telephone number to your pet’s collar. Keep your pet in the house, in your fenced yard, or on a leash at all times. If your pet becomes lost: Contact your local animal shelter and give them a description of your pet. Ask your neighbors to be on the lookout for your pet. Create a lost pet ad or flyer; use a different telephone number than the one on your pet’s tag. Avoid putting a full description of your pet in the ad or flyer. Ask callers for details about your pet that you did not include in the ad or flyer. Ask for the name, address, and telephone number of the veterinarian where the caller claims to have taken your pet. Verify the veterinarian exists and then contact the vet directly. Finally, NEVER send money or provide credit card information to someone you do not know!

If you think you may be a victim of a scam, contact San Bernardino County Adult Protective Services (APS) at 877-565-2020, or your local police department.