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 […]
Voice of the Village: What I didn’t know about Islam
By Judie Donaldson What can you tell me about Islam? I thought that I had a little understanding through reading, but I just learned that most of what I “knew” was wrong! Fortunately, thanks to Carquinez Village, I’m better informed today. Every month, Carquinez Village hosts an educational field trip, and last month it consisted […]
Voice of the Village: Planning on a rocking chair in retirement? Think again
By Lois Requist Just when you thought it was your turn to sit down and rest, the studies pour in saying it isn’t good to sit! Someone said, “Sitting is the new smoking!” (Something we shouldn’t do—at least not too much.) A study by the University of California San Diego School of Medicine and published […]