Gratitude has the power to heal, bring hope, and help us feel better about ourselves and others, even when times are difficult.

Today, November 2nd — the day before election day, many people may feel anxious and overwhelmed by things out of their control.

The simple act of recognizing that you have much to be grateful for can help your mood, attitude, and outlook.

Gary Ow will guide us to help you take control of feelings that may  be overwhelming you as we wait for the results of a divisive election after a challenging year. We’ll take a moment to pause, reflect, and consider the things we have to be thankful for.

Simply taking a step back and opening our eyes to the things we are grateful for is a simple and free way to feel more at ease. We’ll also discuss ideas for things you can do to help or bring a smile to others – which is a wonderful way to improve your own mood and happiness!

As a bonus, Gary and Eileen Chan will be doing their Stress Busters Discussion Group on Thursday, November 5. If you haven’t joined us for Stress Busters before, this twice monthly group provides lessons and discussion around a simple 5 step method to help you better respond to situations that make you feel stressed.

Register:

Women’s Conversation Group (D2U)
Featuring Ace Volunteers Alex & Leslie Pellegrini
Weekly on Wednesdays, 1 – 2 pm:  November 4, 11, 18, & 25

Alex and Leslie continue their popular facilitated weekly women’s conversation group.

This has become a highlight of the week for women wanting to have a weekly anchor event to keep them laughing and connected (via a safe, socially distanced Zoom gathering!).

This is a special community for women who want to join a close knit and welcoming weekly group. You never know what questions will be asked as you learn more about each other’s interests, values, and lives.

• Group meets weekly every Thursday at 11 AM (November 5, 12, 19 & 26) 
• Come to as many sessions as you can, but it’s OK to miss some! Join when you can.
• This is a conversation group rather than a beginners’ class, so basic conversational abilities are requested.

DRINK AND DRAW with Lucia Gonnella

Friday, November 6th, 1-3pm

No experience with watercolor required. You may also use pencils.

Register for this event at: https://nextsf.helpfulvillage.com/events/1533

NEXT Village’s Monthly Writing Group – TWICE Monthly!

Featuring JACKIE HEWITT

Mondays at 1:00 – 2:45pm: November 9th and November 23rd

Online and Open to everyone!
We are an informal, facilitated writing group.

Register here: https://nextsf.helpfulvillage.com/events/1541

The more chaotic our world, the more important it is to live in a home where we feel in control of what we have.

Due to COVID and smoky air, we are spending more time than ever in our homes. Many people are realizing they want to clean up and clear out unneeded and unwanted stuff so their home is a more comfortable haven. Yet there are now additional challenges to downsize or “rightsize” your possessions during a time when you may not want anyone to come into your home to help you and it can be difficult to find places to donate items like books, clothes and other items.

Claudia Kraehe will discuss these challenges and give tips on how to work around them. She will then suggest projects to undertake that will allow you to start or resume rightsizing, and share strategies that will help make your effort a success.

Taking the first step to declutter or organize some of the “stuff” that you have accumulated over the years is the toughest part. Now is a perfect opportunity to take control and do it.

You CAN accomplish amazing things and enjoy the space you live in — even during this period. There will be time for questions.

Presenter Bio: For over half a decade, Claudia Kraehe has been assisting seniors with decluttering, organizing, move management, and estate clear-outs. She has a deep appreciation for collections of all kinds and for collectors themselves. Ms. Kraehe is a certified member of The National Association of Senior Move Managers and the founder of Step By Step Downsizing in San Francisco.

Register here:

cHeeRS! hAPPY hOUR, with Ms. Kim
Come mix and mingle with other NEXT members

4-5pm
Everyone is welcome! By Zoom or by Phone!

RSVP:

November 10th

1-2pm

Open Enrollment is going on now. Learn about Eligibility and Enrollment. Supplementing Original Medicare – Medigap and Part D Rx coverage, and Medicare Advantage Plans.

RSVP here: https://nextsf.helpfulvillage.com/events/1568

Wednesday, November 11th 11:30-12:30 or so.

Get some take out and meet us at Zoom!
(Phone or computer)

RSVP@nextvillagesf.org

Women’s Conversation Group (D2U)
Featuring Ace Volunteers Alex & Leslie Pellegrini
Weekly on Wednesdays, 1 – 2 pm:  November 4, 11, 18, & 25

Alex and Leslie continue their popular facilitated weekly women’s conversation group.

This has become a highlight of the week for women wanting to have a weekly anchor event to keep them laughing and connected (via a safe, socially distanced Zoom gathering!).

This is a special community for women who want to join a close knit and welcoming weekly group. You never know what questions will be asked as you learn more about each other’s interests, values, and lives.

• Group meets weekly every Thursday at 11 AM (November 5, 12, 19 & 26) 
• Come to as many sessions as you can, but it’s OK to miss some! Join when you can.
• This is a conversation group rather than a beginners’ class, so basic conversational abilities are requested.

Have you been curious about life along the Silk Road?  In 2017, Joanne Chow Winship explored and photographed the people and architecture of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

At the time, both predominantly Sunni Muslim countries had restrictive entry and travel policies.  In 1991, they declared their independence from the Soviet Union, evolving today into presidential one party republics.  Both countries have a rich cultural history (ancient Uzbekistan was formed in the first millennium BC), which is evident in their architecture and archeological sites.

One of the trip’s most memorable rewards was discovering the warmth and friendliness of the people along the Silk Road. While your Bucket List travel adventures may be on hold for now, NEXT Village SF invites you to join us for our monthly “trips” to discover new places or relive memories of your adventures!

About our “Tourguide”: Joanne Chow Winship first stepped foot out of the U.S. in 1972 when she spent a year traveling around the world.  She is an architect, project manager and arts administrator who came to San Francisco from Vermont to serve as Director of Cultural Affairs for the City.  She is now retired and focuses her time on documentary photography to further understanding and respect of other cultures.

Register here:

 

Frida Kahlo, Frieda and Diego Rivera, 1931, Oil on canvas, 39 3/8 x 31 in. (100 x 78.7 cm), Collection of SFMOMA, Albert M. Bender Collection, gift of Albert M. Bender © Banco de Mexico Diego Rivera & Frida Kahlo Museums Trust, Mexico, D.F. / Artist Rights Society (ARS), New York, photo: Ben Blackwell Monday, November 16, 2020 VIRTUAL Access Day At the time of Frida Kahlo’s death in 1954, a treasure trove of the artist’s highly personal items—including jewelry, clothing, and prosthetics—were locked away. 50 years later, these belongings were unsealed and now they’re on view for the first time on the West Coast at the de Young Museum. Discover what these objects reveal about their now iconic owner in Frida Kahlo: Appearances Can Be Deceiving by joining one or both highlights tours hosted by Access Programs via Zoom. FREE Admission by Registration. To register click the appropriate link below.  10:00 am:  Docent Alfred Escoffier will discuss highlights from the exhibition for a general audience. This virtual “tour” will be captioned. 10:00 am Frida Kahlo Highlights Tour with Alfred Escoffier 11:15 am: Docent Karen Libby will discuss highlights from the exhibition with a presentation designed for people who have low vision or are blind. All are welcome whether or not they have low vision. This virtual “tour” will be captioned. 11:15 am Frida Kahlo Highly Descriptive Highlights Tour with Karen Libby After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Click this link to download flyer and information.

 

Join us for an Improv class made up of games, exercises and techniques to create monologues and scenes.

BEGINNERS and everyone else is welcome. No prior experience is necessary. Have fun with others and draw on your own background and imagination!

If you’ve been wanting to try Improv, this is a great opportunity for you to exercise your creative muscles! Instructor Louise Vogel and her group create a very positive, non-judgmental atmosphere.

If you haven’t done it before, give Improvisation Theatre a try. You might be surprised at what you can do and how much fun you can have!

Presenter:  Louise Vogel has been the Company Manager/Assistant Director and member of the Aquatic Park Players at the Aquatic Park Sr. Center in San Francisco since April 2016. Louise graduated with a BA in Speech and Theatre and has had experience in Children’s Theatre, Mime, Acting and Improvization. She studied Improvisation with Sue Walden and Joya Cory in San Francisco for several years and has taught Improv Theatre at the Aquatic Park Sr. Center and is looking forward to continuing doing Zoom sessions with new and seasoned players.

Register:

Women’s Conversation Group (D2U)
Featuring Ace Volunteers Alex & Leslie Pellegrini
Weekly on Wednesdays, 1 – 2 pm:  November 4, 11, 18, & 25

Alex and Leslie continue their popular facilitated weekly women’s conversation group.

This has become a highlight of the week for women wanting to have a weekly anchor event to keep them laughing and connected (via a safe, socially distanced Zoom gathering!).

This is a special community for women who want to join a close knit and welcoming weekly group. You never know what questions will be asked as you learn more about each other’s interests, values, and lives.

Death Café – Circle of Sharing 

NEXT is pleased to announce that the wonderful Ms. Jackie Hewitt will be facilitating Death Cafe through the end of the year! We thank Meg O’Shaughnessy for her thoughtful leadership this past year.

NEXT will offer Death Café on the third Wednesday of the month from 2-3pm

Cafe people, often strangers, gather to eat cake, drink tea and discuss death. A Death Cafe is a group directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes. Even though you will all be in your homes, please enjoy some tea and cake during the call!

Register: https://nextsf.helpfulvillage.com/events/1498

Reading Circle with Ms. Kim

Wednesday, November 18th 4-5 pm   

Register at: https://nextsf.helpfulvillage.com/events/1536

Reading Circle welcomes author Bronwyn Harris as she reads from and discusses her latest book, Letters From the Inside: Hope in the Journey Beyond Classroom and Cell www.bronwynharris.com. There are two cc’s of the book at the office. Please let us know if you are intersted. Letters From the Inside: Hope in the Journey Beyond Classroom and Cell In a captivating series of letters between a teacher and student, Jorge shares incredible vulnerability while providing details of his life while growing up in East Oakland and a raw glimpse of life behind bars in California.

• Group meets weekly every Thursday at 11 AM (November 5, 12, 19 & 26) 
• Come to as many sessions as you can, but it’s OK to miss some! Join when you can.
• This is a conversation group rather than a beginners’ class, so basic conversational abilities are requested.

NEXT Village’s Monthly Writing Group – TWICE Monthly!

Featuring JACKIE HEWITT

Mondays at 1:00 – 2:45pm: November 9th and November 23rd

Online and Open to everyone!
We are an informal, facilitated writing group.

Register here: https://nextsf.helpfulvillage.com/events/1541

This Thanksgiving will look a little different for most of us. Luckily, your NEXT Village community is here and looking forward to celebrating (virtually) with you for Friendsgiving!

Tuesday 11/24 6:30-7:30pm

RSVP: https://nextsf.helpfulvillage.com/events/1566

Women’s Conversation Group (D2U)
Featuring Ace Volunteers Alex & Leslie Pellegrini
Weekly on Wednesdays, 1 – 2 pm:  November 4, 11, 18, & 25

Alex and Leslie continue their popular facilitated weekly women’s conversation group.

This has become a highlight of the week for women wanting to have a weekly anchor event to keep them laughing and connected (via a safe, socially distanced Zoom gathering!).

This is a special community for women who want to join a close knit and welcoming weekly group. You never know what questions will be asked as you learn more about each other’s interests, values, and lives.

• Group meets weekly every Thursday at 11 AM (November 5, 12, 19 & 26) 
• Come to as many sessions as you can, but it’s OK to miss some! Join when you can.
• This is a conversation group rather than a beginners’ class, so basic conversational abilities are requested.

Wondering what to do the day after Thanksgiving? Join friends for a virtual Sing Along. Don’t worry if you aren’t musically inclined at all. Everyone except our pianist/singer Larry Ebert will be muted.

November 27th 1pm-2:30pm

RSVP: