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Branching Out
Sharing Stories and Information through Outstretched Arms
April 2023
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Do you hear BIRDS? Are those daffodils blooming? Is that the ear-wrenching sound of gas-powered leaf blowers? It must be spring! For Arbor West Neighbors it’s time for a hike with the Ramblers and the start of outdoor meet-ups. Join us as we welcome spring and our new members.
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The ASSET MAP is blooming! On March 14, Arbor West Neighbors brought together 36 organizations, social services, government offices and aging resources to identify what services for older adults are plentiful (overlaps) and what are missing (gaps).
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Some of the issues identified included:
- Resource directory for services
- Communication tools between older adults
- Door-to-door transportation help
- Volunteer opportunities (Who needs help? How to help?)
- Affordable housing
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To hear more about the Asset Mapping Project attend
Gaps and Overlaps: Who offers what services?
Celebrating Seniors Week
Friday, May 12, 2023
10:30 - 11:30 am
19th Century Club
178 Forest Ave, Oak Park
For more information, contact Judy Smith judy_a_smith@msn.com or Chris Hauri, chris@white-iguana.com. And check other Celebrating Seniors Events at http://celebratingseniors.net/
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For the third time in the past years, the Arbor West Neighbors Advocacy Working Group hosted a forum to hear what potential Oak Park Trustees had to say about issues of importance to older adults in the community. Moderated by Ed Solan, approximately 60 people attended.
Don't forget to vote in these local elections.
April 4
Your vote does matter!
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Fun Collaborative Challenges
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In February and March Gil Herman facilitated four sessions of Fun Collaborative Challenges. Twenty participants worked together on such tasks as solving a murder mystery, making their way across a magic carpet, designing word pictures, putting together geometric shapes without talking, and surviving a simulated disaster. With each challenge people had fun getting to know each other better, while learning about behaviors that work well in groups.
Watch for more Challenge dates in the future.
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Youth Business Ideas for Seniors
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On March 7, Arbor West Neghbors hosted Oak Park River Forest High School students who presented business ideas for products and services of value to older adults. Their Business Incubator class will award $4,000 for a team to invest in their start-up or to use toward college. The students were thrilled to have the opportunity to practice their presentations and commented on how wonderful and useful the feedback and advice will be as they prepare to launch their businesses in the next few months.
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The presenting groups included:
- Ripple - a digital video service to assist you in celebrations of life.
- Optic Wallet - a new product to ensure you always have reading glasses available.
- Local Links - a service through which high schoolers help with your chores.
- Re-Tech - a service that picks up your old electronics, restores them to original factory specs, and makes them available to non-profits for reuse.
- Breakthrough - a service that helps people deal with their stress
For information about any of these services, contact Gil Herman, gil@managinghorizons.com
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Our February Meetup was held in The Wright Way Bistro on the 7th Floor of American House Senior Living Community. Many thanks to American House for providing the lovely view and refreshments.
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Several new members and guests were among the 32 people who enjoyed community and conversation at the March Meetup at the Oak Park Library.
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Upcoming Meetups
for Members and Guests
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April 25, 2023
4:30 - 6:00 pm
Hosts: Tom and Sunny Hall
304 N Grove, Oak Park
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May 23, 2023
10:00 - 11:30 am
Hosts: Sandra and David Sokol
222 N Marion, Oak Park
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April 27, 2023
3:00 - 4:30 pm
Oak Park Library
Veterans Room, 2nd Floor
834 Lake Street, Oak Park
There are so many ways individuals and organizations help people in our community. Come to learn about what a few organizations are doing and possibilities for your involvement. We'll hear about Sarah's Inn, Exodus World Services, Beyond Hunger and Housing Forward.
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Older Adults' Role in Sustainability
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How do you want to be remembered by your children and grandchildren in terms of what you did to protect and sustain our earth? How is climate change happening and why?
AWN members Hinda Blum and Chris Hauri will lead us through a highly interactive program to consider the above questions.
One action you may wish to take even before this program is to get a FREE home energy audit by calling ComEd at 1-267-223-5075.
May 24, 2023
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Oak Park Public Library
Veterans Room on 2nd Floor
834 Lake Street
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Arbor West Neighbors
Member Interest Groups
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Fiber Arts Group
Do you knit, crochet, embroider, appliqué or work with any other fiber arts? Join us on the first and third Fridays of the month from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, usually in different members’ homes.
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Mix of Minds Discussion Group
The group meets via Zoom on the second Monday of each month, 3:00 - 4:30 pm, to discuss thought-provoking articles chosen by group members on a rotating basis.
April 10, 2023
“What’s the Matter with Men?” by Idrees Kahloon
The New Yorker, January 30, 2023
suggested by Bob Innocenzi. Also of interest on this topic is Ezra Klein’s interview of Richard Reeves, author of the book Of Boys and Men.
May 8, 2023
“How Animals Perceive the World,” by Ed Yong,
The Atlantic July-August, 2022
suggested by Phyllis Rubin.
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Movie Group
Movie Group members independently view a movie (or sometimes at small group watch parties) in advance and gather for Zoom discussion. Volunteer facilitators rotate monthly, choosing the movie (ideally available via free streaming), offering background and leading discussion.
Thursday, April 20, 2023
7:00 - 8:30 pm
on Zoom
"If Beale Street Could Talk"
chosen and facilitated by Meg Herman.
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Arbor Ramblers
The Forest Preserve Hiking Group is resuming its Rambles at 1:00 pm on the last Friday of the month.
Friday, April 28, 2023
Friday, May 26, 2023
Contact Peter Notier, pnotier@gmail.com, for information.
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Member Community Involvement
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Older Adult Equity Issues. A small group including Arbor West Neighbors and Nineteenth Century Charitable Association members, met with Oak Park Public Library's Executive Director, Josylin Dixon, to discuss matters of importance to older adults. Another meeting will be in the second week of April.
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Meet Your Arbor West Neighbors
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Chris Hauri. If you watched Mad Men about advertising in the 70s and 80s, you’ve seen Chris’ life as a creative director at a big Chicago ad agency. From “When you run out, run out to White Hen” to “Bright Kids” for Crayola, to being Chief Marketing Officer for Girl Scouts for their 100th Anniversary, Chris has led with creativity and fun.
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Somewhat retired from owning a 50+ person ad agency, she was on the Townships’ Senior Services Committee when she found like-minded folks fighting against ageism at Arbor West. For Arbor West, you’ll find Chris facilitating the Asset Mapping project, the Sustainability program in May and developing a summer program about appreciating the little people in your family. She’s also a 35+ year Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio volunteer, sells fabulous olive oils and balsamic vinegars at Olive and Well on Oak Park Ave a few days a month and writes marketing plans and social media content for an LA design firm. Best of all, she works with the kids and charities for the annual 9-11 LemonAid stand on the 700 Block of Bonnie Brae in River Forest.
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Meg and Gil Herman. Two people who have taken on a huge role at Arbor West are Meg and Gil Herman, now co-leading the Programs Committee. They’ve been members of Arbor West Neighbors for 5 years and are very active throughout the community. Meg is serving on the board of the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association, helping create an ambassador program with Unity Temple UU Congregation, leading the Arbor West nominating committee for the board, and is an Arbor West ambassador.
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Gil has served as an executive coach and business consultant for over 40 years. He is serving on two for profit boards, mentoring OPRFHS entrepreneurship students, and practicing classical guitar. Currently Gil and Meg support many non-profits with their time, talents and treasures. They also enjoy local performing arts and supporting local restaurants. They’ve lived in Oak Park for over 40 years and have 3 adult children in their 30’s: Meridian, Ariel, and Nate.
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Branching Out will appear bimonthly in your inbox.
Member submissions to arborwestneighbors@gmail.com for the June edition are due by Friday, May 19, 2023. Please add NEWSLETTER in the subject line.
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