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

Sketching
Date: September 12, 2018
Time: 8:30 - 10:00 am
Length: 8 weeks
Cost: $8 members
      $8 non-members
Instructor: Robert Placencia
Location: Game Room
Description: Are you a doodler? Or maybe you're a bit sketchy. For our Sketching Class you're perfect. The class is taught by Robert Placencia. He took classes in college, and used to assist in his oil painting class. Although his media is more in oil paintings, sketching is a big part of that so it's a perfect fit. He has been teaching the class for nearly 3+ years now. Robert has been involved in art for over 40 years, having taken art classes in high school and college. He enjoys many mediums including sketching, charcoal, and oil painting. He has even received awards for some of his works. The class will begin with portraits, as it provides the basic foundation that can later be applied to still life and scenery. Students need to bring their own pencils (4H to 6B preferred), a sharpener, as well as a sketch pad. Do not bring writing paper. The size of the sketchpad will depend upon a students personal preference although Robert prefers the large size. Fall class registration will take place on Thursday, August 17th from 9 - 11 am with classes beginning on August 23rd. The Sketching class will be on Wednesdays, in the Gameroom, and will run for 8 weeks. Cost is $8 for members and $10 for non-members.

Featured Activity

Chair / range of motion class
Time: Mondays 10:00 - 11:00 am
Cost: 0 members
      0 non-members
Location: exercise room
Description: Get Arthritis Relief at the Highland Senior Center The Highland Senior Center is host to two unique programs designed for those suffering from Arthritis. On Mondays they have the 'People with Arthritis Can Exercise' (P.A.C.E.). The Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program is held from 10-11 am. The Program is geared toward gentle range-of-motion exercises with additional activities designed to help those with arthritis.
Lowe_s Heroes Project Benefits the Center
By: Mike Sylva
Last month five of Lowe’s Heroes from the Highland store, descended upon the Highland Senior Center as part of Lowe’s ongoing Heroes Project program. The center wasn’t sure if those heroes knew what they had in store for them. Cleaning and renovating the center’s pantry, which had not been straightened up in years.

This herculean task was as daunting as Hercules’ task of cleaning the Augean Stables, which held thousands of cows and had not been cleaned in 30 years. Our heroes didn’t need to bend any rivers to clean it out. Just some old fashioned sweat and elbow grease.

First they had to take everything out, then strip and clean the walls, and paint. They had to wait for the paint to dry, or they would’ve had it finished in a day, like Hercules. They next day they were back reorganizing, and installing wall shelves, and standing pantry shelves. By the time they were done, the place was unrecognizable. When everything was put back, the pantry still had more room than ever.

The Highland Senior Center would like to thank these true heroes for volunteering their time, hard work, and experience, to make the center a better place. They would also like to thank Lowe’s for selecting them to benefit from this great project.