By Judie Donaldson Are you among the many who suffer from the “I-can–do –it–myself” disease? I am, and I am so ridiculously tenacious about it that I make a fool out of myself. Just ask my friends and family members. Carquinez Village has learned all about this behavior pattern during our first year of service. […]
Human Services Board aims to raise $5K in online fundraising campaign
Spring is the season of giving, and the Benicia Human Services Board (HSB) is providing a chance for people to give. For the next 21 days, the HSB is hosting an online fundraiser for its Human Services Fund in the hopes of raising $5,000 before the deadline. The HSB oversees the Human Services Fund, a […]
Voice of the Village: A connection the for homebound and other seniors
By Lois Requist Humans need connection. Isolation and loneliness, especially in older people, can lead to a decline in health and a lack of desire to get up in the morning. Faith in Action, who is the fiscal sponsor of Carquinez Village, and has been active with services for seniors for many years, is offering […]
Voice of the Village: Engage at every age
By Judie Donaldson I know that this will seem un-American, but I’m a Mother’s Day scrooge. It isn’t that I oppose mothers being lauded and honored. Quite the contrary. I’d just like it to happen in an authentic manner, rather than through a commercialized “Hallmark card day” or as an excuse for another mattress sale. […]
Voice of the Village: Five women, two dogs and a houseboat
By Judie Donaldson Before it closed, Studio 41, the classy Benicia gift shop that was an institution on First Street for years, sold an item that I often purchased as a gift. It was a cocktail napkin, yes, a cocktail napkin. Its appeal was in the message that was printed on it, which read, […]
Voice of the Village: Why we are celebrating
By Lois Requist Maybe you’ve seen the announcement about our first birthday celebration this month, on the 25th at Benicia Yacht Club from 3 to 4:30. I hope you come! Since the creation of Carquinez Village took a significant chunk of my time since January, 2015, indulge me in remembrance. A friend of mine said, […]
Voice of the Village: She’s 96 years young!
Who are your heroes? Do you have any? If you were asked to name them, what would you say? I have been in a couple of situations where I was asked to list my heroes. The people who popped into my mind were Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, Bobby Kennedy, Gloria Steinem, Harriet Tubman, […]
Voice of the Village: Memories are Made of What?
By Lois Requist As I look at a photo I have in my hand, I turn it over and on the back is written Christmas, December 25, 1900, followed by a list of some the nine people standing outside in front of a building with two pillars forming a porch. In black and white, of […]
Voice of the Village: The Generosity Economy
By Judie Donaldson Have you ever heard of “the generosity economy”? I hadn’t until I became familiar with Buddhism. It’s pretty darn impressive. Let me explain. In the Buddhist community, learning about the Buddhist philosophy and principles is a central activity. Needless to say, then, Buddhist teachers are valued. And can you imagine this? They […]
Voice of the Village: Human Services Commission: Take One
By Lois Requist Script, still pictures, and video—we were ready when the team of students from Benicia High School met us. We talked about what we had prepared and how the process would work. A member of the Human Services Commission was there to make sure everything went well. The product, a video about Carquinez […]