For many reasons, PGOSA is not planning the traditional Christmas Dinner Dance this December. To start with, our regular facility (Civic Center) caterer is not available and when asked in September, through the Chronicle, for volunteers, nobody stepped up. COVID has not gone away, making the likelihood of indoor transmission very high among a group of seniors. We all know community, friends and/or family members who have picked up the virus this fall.
We are promoting that smaller groups, such as sporting or recreational activities, have their own Seasonal or Christmas function for its regular participants. Some activities have already organized these for December – the members of the group can decide if they would like a social event, what type, where, when , etc. Enjoy and thanks to all involved providing an alternative for this holiday season!
Social Activity Survey
Please take the time to complete the new PGOSA survey on social activities.
PGOSA's newly formed social committee is asking members for your opinions on PGOSA social events. These have been limited the last 2 1/2 years due to COVID restrictions, and hampered with the lack of members stepping up to organizing events this fall.
PGOSA has a streamlined Board of Directors who have their hands full just running the organization and is not taking on more tasks such as planning and organizing seasonal social events. Interested members, who may work on some social events for 2023, met earlier this month to discuss this topic. Over the last five years attendance has declined at all PGOSA social events leading us to wonder if the purely social aspect of PGOSA is worth pursuing or should the Board just let it take a natural course and slowly disappear. When attendance at events is low it does give the message that “interest” is not there.
Hence, a social survey is linked to this newsletter asking members their views on past or traditional social activities. It is designed to be EXTREMELY EASY and FAST to complete. Please take a few minutes and do just that! The collated results will tell us what our membership thinks and feels about PGOSA social events. Overall results will be reported in January and the newly formed social committee will have hard data to digest and plan accordingly.
Thanks in advance for taking a few minutes and completing the survey. (PGOSA Social Committee)
A Soccer Update from Activity Manager Rob Jonas
Hi PGOSAns
Some great news to share on the Walking Soccer and Soccer fronts.
The WS activity in BC is now at the level (several new WS leagues and Tourneys being organized) where we were able to consider being an activity at the BC Senior Games level.
At the recent BCSG I made a presentation to the Organizers Group pitching WS as a new activity for them to incorporate into the Games.
The request went forward from that Organizers meeting to the Board of the BCSG and i just received word that WS has been approved as an official sport in the 2023 BCSG!!
So, from the original 8 players who started WS here in Canada in March 2016, our sport has grown to the level of inclusion in the BCSG.
So, that's good news item #1.
The second news item is that after a request I made to the PGOSA Board of Directors, regular Indoor Soccer has been approved as a new activity commencing in January 2023.
Not only does this offer an opportunity for local soccer groups and interested PGOSAns to play in a controlled environment through the winter, sharing the facility on Tuesdays and Thursdays with the WS group would cut both player groups' out of pocket fees to rent Arbutus Meadows.
There has been good interest from local existing groups and if you are interested in either Walking Soccer or regular Soccer at the Arbutus Meadows Arena starting in January 2023, please contact me directly at rjonas13@hotmail.com
rj
2023 Memberships Available Now
One can always join PGOSA using one of three methods – in person, by mail or online. See below! PLEASE NOTE – Memberships must be renewed before you commence any PGOSA activities or attend PGOSA events come January 1st.
In Person. Registration for PGOSA membership is now at Oceanside Place Arena in the front lobby, just beside the entrance door. We are now there every Wednesday morning – 9:30 to 11:00 am. The last date in 2022 for in person membership is Wednesday, December 7th. For the following two Wednesdays in December, Winter Wonderland is in operation and the lobby is not available to us. We will be back at the same place in January – Wednesday, January 3rd and each Wednesday morning in January for renewals and for new members to sign-up. There may be periodic cancellations due to other events at the Arena. Check the PGOSA calendar.
Online membership application now available here and is always open. Your PGOSA membership card will be emailed to you for you to print and keep in your wallet or save and display on your smartphone. Or have it mailed to you. You can order your PGOSA name badge at the same time.
Mail-in. Download the membership form from our website, fill it in, print it off, sign it, and mail it to us with payment and a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Mail to PGOSA, P.O. Box 957, Parksville, V9P 2G9.
Your membership card will be mailed to you in the envelope you provide.
Membership Fee:
Ages 55 - 79, the annual fee is $15
For those reaching the age of 80, the annual fee is $10
And upon reaching the age of 90, membership is complimentary
All memberships expire on December 31 of the membership year. Check your card to see your membership year.
Use your Membership…..Get involved! Hopefully you didn’t join PGOSA to be a bystander!
PGOSA Speaker Series - via ZOOM
Online workshop - Fire Safety
Wednesday, January 18, 2023, 10AM - 11AM
Safety topics to be covered include:
Woodstoves
- Importance of cleaning
- What to do in case of chimney fire
Smoke alarms and Carbon Monoxide detectors
Fire safety plans at home
Kitchen fires
Fire extinguishers
- How and when to use
- Different types of extinguishers
A “winter season” of PGOSA curling will start Thursday, January 4th for eight weeks, continuing to the end of February.
Teams are rejigged and spaces for curlers will become available as some participants head south for the winter.
If you would like to be part of this COED recreational curling league please contact Jim Powell (trijim@shaw.ca) before December 15th.
As a recreational league we strive to make balanced teams so all can enjoy the sport. All levels of curlers welcome as those with tons of experience help others who are just starting this sport! Our format makes for a fun, slightly competitive league, where all can enjoy social contact and the sport of curling with other likeminded seniors.
Contact Jim Powell (trijim@shaw.ca)
Upcoming Technology Training for Senior Adults - via ZOOM
FREE Online Technology Workshops via Zoom Fridays at 9:30AM
Friday, December 2 – View, Edit and Share photos
Most modern computer devices have built-in tools for viewing, editing, and sharing your photos. Whether you are using a Windows desktop or an Apple iPhone, you can learn how to do these basic functions by attending this online workshop.
Friday, December 9 – Online misinformation – What can you trust? Misinformation on the internet seems to be everywhere these days and is always being talked about in the media. Learn more about what kind of bad information is “out there”, some basic tips on how to separate facts from fictions, and the resources available online to help you do exactly that.
Friday, December 16 – Tour of Google Docs and Google Suite If you have a Google account then you have access to the free Google Docs Editors suite, consisting of the Docs word processor, Sheets spreadsheet, and Slides presentation builder. Join us as we look at the main features of these applications, including how to access the apps on PCs, Macs, Android, and iOS, how to open, save and share files, basic editing functions, and how the files you create can work with other (free) Google apps. Time permitting, we will also review (but not investigate) some of the alternatives to these Google apps, both free and paid, that you may want to investigate on your own.
View and register for workshops online at www.oblt.ca/calendar or phone 250-947-8258 and leave your contact information.
Cards and other Games
Join us for Wednesday afternoon Games Day. Popular games are Cribbage and Mexican Train (a dominos type game).
The Bradley Center has purchased two more table tennis tables and sets of equipment so we will be promoting table tennis as part of this activity.
As a noisier activity – ping pong, there is a separate room for this sport so it does not interfere with the quieter games. Location: The Studio at the Bradley Center Days: December 14th.(Only one Wednesday afternoon this month) Time: 1:30 to 3:30 pm Fee: $2.00 drop in fee and membership at Bradley Center - $5.00 per year for an annual membership
No advance registration required.
This month being December, Christmas music will be played, special treats will be available. Come on out and enjoy a couple of hours of stimulating, mental activity – exercise your brain!!
Pat and Wendy Shaw, leaders of the PGOSA Friday "Social Hikers" group, recently spent some time with Matthew Hoffmann for a "Shaw Spotlight" video.
Check it out here
A Cautionary Tale for Anyone with a Rear Mount Bike Rack
submitted by a PGOSA cyclist
Recently returning home from a bike trip in Tofino, we were pulled over by the Alberni RCMP and I was issued a $230.00 Violation Ticket for an “Obstructed/Covered Licence Plate” under the MVA – MR 3.03.
Even as we were three polite, grey-haired ladies, there was no getting off with a “warning”; it was straight to the ticket. The officer stated that the licence plate must be clearly visible and able to be detected by laser.
How this is to be ‘legally’ accomplished is up to the driver/owner of the vehicle. Also, the ticket is issued to the driver not the owner of the vehicle.
I was told I could dispute the infraction for a lesser amount but would have to do so in writing and be prepared to attend court – in Port Alberni. I checked ICBC, BCAA and HUB’s websites to see if there was any information for drivers with bike racks and licence plate issues and found none.
I also found NO online education about this issue, from RCMP, ICBC, or any bike rack manufacturer.
In summary:
• I would advise loading your bike(s) and having a look – directly from the rear. if any part is obstructed, the laser will not ‘read’
• For those with racks that fold up, the plate must also be able to be clearly read. (This could be a challenge to accomplish)
I would research and/or contact the manufacturer of your bike rack to see if they have an after-market solution
• And for those in the market for a rack… “forewarned is fore-armed” – make sure your rack complies and you won’t get an expensive damper to your riding adventures
The list of Friends of PGOSA is growing!
They include restaurants, car maintenance and repair service, computer training, banking, veterinary services, and bicycles (and bike gear).
Remember to show your card. Most offers may not be combined with other coupons or discounts. Check the PGOSA Friends page for terms and conditions.
M&N Mattress - 10 - 20% discount, depending on item
Health, Fitness and Sports
Advanced Health + Sports Clinic Physiotherapy – 10% discount on exercise equipment (bands, pulleys, ankle weights etc), $5.00 discount off all initial assessments for members and "front-of-the-line" access to urgent-care treatment blocks on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Contact the clinic directly to book.
Christmas Social Functions
A Soccer Update from Activity Manager Rob Jonas
PGOSA Speaker Series - via ZOOM
PGOSA Curling Winter Season
Upcoming Technology Training for Senior Adults - via ZOOM
Cards and other Games
