Blog archive
November 2023
Connecting with Priyanka Kumar
11/27/2023
Cultural Explorations Plus a Potluck
11/27/2023
From the President
11/27/2023
Loneliness Kills, Social Connections Heal
11/27/2023
Sages and Seekers: Create Intergenerational Connections
11/27/2023
Welcoming the Holidays with Wisdom
11/27/2023
What To Do When the Lights Go Out
11/27/2023
Current Events and Exciting Presentations ahead
11/20/2023
Current Race Issues
11/11/2023
Discussion of Wokeism and CRT
11/06/2023
Humiliation and Degradation
11/05/2023
October 2023
Vintage Celebration Thanksgiving Poem
10/31/2023
Vintage Celebration: Aging in Place Like a Fine Wine
10/31/2023
New to the Village
10/27/2023
Real Life Event with Racism
10/26/2023
30 Years of Changes in Education
10/25/2023
Connecting with the Creative Hannah Rough-Shock
10/24/2023
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging – Pasadena Village's Journey
10/24/2023
Aging Gracefully in Pasadena
10/23/2023
Don't Be a Scam Victim This Holiday Season
10/23/2023
Interns at The Village
10/23/2023
Pasadena Village Visitors – Another Benefit of Community
10/23/2023
Ping Pong Pals
10/23/2023
Two Local Stories
10/16/2023
Conversations with African-American Art
10/09/2023
Racism 1966 in Pasadena
10/05/2023
September 2023
A reminiscence for baseball fans
09/30/2023
Dealing With Loss
09/30/2023
Schmoozendoodle Is "Serious" Fun!
09/28/2023
Vintage Celebration: Aging in Place Like a Fine Wine
09/28/2023
Covid-19 Season Is Here
09/27/2023
What Is Ergonomics?
09/27/2023
Rumor of Humor # 24
09/22/2023
Various Perspectives on Racism
09/16/2023
Rumor of Humor # 23
09/14/2023
A DIfferent Perspective
09/10/2023
Racism I Have Experienced
09/05/2023
1619 " Rump" Session
09/04/2023
August 2023
1619 Project Discussion Group explores the Arroyo Seco
08/28/2023
Beyond the Village - Judith Harris
08/28/2023
Board of Directors: Strategic Planning Updates
08/28/2023
Men's Time Brunch
08/28/2023
One Village, One Book
08/28/2023
Pasadena Racism, Past and Present
08/28/2023
Profile of a Leader: Ron Stoffers
08/28/2023
Remember John and Thelma Orr
08/28/2023
Volunteer & Leadership Training
08/28/2023
Gardenias
08/21/2023
Current Events Including the RICO Indictment of Mr. Trump
08/19/2023
Shining a Light on Current Racial Inequities
08/07/2023
Shining a Light on Current Racial Inequities
08/07/2023
RofH#22
08/06/2023
July 2023
Arroyo Seco Development, Past and Present
07/24/2023
From the President
07/24/2023
Rumor of Humor #20
07/23/2023
VMC Conference 2023
07/21/2023
Strategic Plan Progress: Program Teams
07/17/2023
From the Executive Director
07/14/2023
Reflections from Villager Monica Hubbard
07/14/2023
SCOTUS: Rulings on Cases with No Standing
07/10/2023
History and Future Development of Arroyo Seco
07/09/2023
What I Like About Being a Villager
07/09/2023
June 2023
Dick and Sharon, Mixed Race Marriage
06/19/2023
Conversations with West African Art
06/09/2023
Bridget Brewster Discovers Village Benefits
06/04/2023
Communications Project with Cal State LA
06/02/2023
Creative Aging
06/01/2023
May 2023
One Villager's Story
05/31/2023
Pasadena Area Liberal Arts Center
05/31/2023
Pasadena Village Responds to Rainbow Flag Burning at Pasadena Buddhist Temple
05/31/2023
Plan Ahead - And Be Prepared
05/31/2023
Tuesday, May 23 Pasadena Celebrated Older Americans
05/31/2023
Reparations, Social Justice Activity
05/24/2023
Rumor of Humor #14
05/19/2023
Rumor of Humor #13
05/12/2023
Issue #12
05/09/2023
Science Monday - Review of Meeting on April 10, 2023
05/09/2023
Conversations Re African American Artists Before 1920
05/08/2023
Beyond the Village – Suzi and Phil Hoge
05/01/2023
Congratulations Wayne April! Honored at UNH
05/01/2023
Table Topics
05/01/2023
Volunteer Appreciation at the Village
05/01/2023
“ACCIDENTAL HOST—The Story of Rat Lungworm Disease”
05/01/2023
April 2023
Jumbo Joy
04/24/2023
Pasadenans Recent Experience With Racism
04/23/2023
Recent Events Reflecting Racism
04/23/2023
Photography for Social Justice
04/11/2023
Issue #8
04/07/2023
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - Catherine Deely
04/06/2023
Creative Writing in Older Adults
04/06/2023
Gifts of Love
04/06/2023
March 2023
February 2023
2023 DEI Progress
02/27/2023
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - Doug Colliflower
02/26/2023
CONVERSATIONS WITH ART
02/26/2023
GREAT DECISIONS
02/26/2023
OLDER ADULTS RESOURCE FAIR
02/26/2023
The Important, Influential Books in our Lives - Revisited
02/26/2023
History, Resolution of the 710 Freeway
02/19/2023
Eminent Domain, 710 Highway
02/13/2023
Bernard Garrett, 710 Freeway
02/06/2023
Men's Times Gatherings
02/03/2023
January 2023
Pasadena's Senior Commission
01/30/2023
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - JIM HENDRICK
01/27/2023
GRATITUDE - IT'S GOOD FOR YOU!
01/27/2023
JEFF GUTSTADT - FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST
01/27/2023
Bernard Garrett, Incredible Black Entrepreneur
01/17/2023
What is the "Spirit Talk" Group About?
01/16/2023
Same Ol’ New Year, Brand New Me
01/12/2023
Review of 2022, Consideration of 2023
01/06/2023
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - PATTI LA MARR
01/03/2023
FROM THE CHAIR
01/03/2023
WALK WITH EASE
01/03/2023
BOARD TRANSITIONS
By Blog MasterPosted: 07/01/2021
BOARD TRANSITIONS
INTRODUCING THE OFFICERS FOR 2021-22
Pat Dawe, President - Village Member since 2018
Pat Dawe is a retired city planner, architect, and environmental software developer and has recently launched a website featuring his graphic designs. Pat likes to create and organize things. As President of the Board, Pat wants to focus on organizational growth which includes a more diverse membership, a successful and invigorating reopening, and securing funding from a variety of sources. As Pat explains, “we can tangibly see advancements that have been made in many areas of the Village over the last few months, particularly in development, membership, and communications. I think the Village has moved from an era of scarcity to one of opportunity, and we can use this positive outlook to build back better.”
Sue Kujawa, Vice President - Village Member since 2015
Sue Kujawa was the founding Executive Director of the Pasadena Village. As a member she enjoys the book group, the educational programs, and the neighborhood walks. “I learn so much from the educational programs, and that knowledge is reinforced by the daily lessons I learn from my fellow Village members. Because of the Village I am much better prepared for whatever the future may bring.” Sue is the editor of the monthly e-newsletter and is the retiring Treasurer.
Claire Gorfinkel, Treasurer - Village Member since 2012
Claire Gorfinkel is the Chaplain of the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center. She has been executive director of a social justice organization, and was a fundraiser for most of her professional career. She is familiar with budgets and fundraising. “I value the deep friendships I have made through the Village, the many activities, and the opportunity to get to know new people.” She is looking forward to serving on the Executive Committee. As Treasurer, she will work to provide regular comprehensive and understandable documents to the Board that accurately show the organization’s financial position.
Esther Gillies, Secretary -Village Member since 2013
Esther Gillies, MSW, LCSW, is currently the president of the California Social Welfare Archives (CSWA) at USC and is a retired Clinical Associate Professor from the USC School of Social Work. For over 21 years she worked in a variety of positions within the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services – finishing her career as Bureau Chief responsible for all direct social services provided to families within Los Angeles County. Since 2014 Esther has supervised two MSW students assigned to Pasadena Village who work with our high needs members as part of their field placement requirements. She also serves as the liaison between the Village and the two universities (University of Southern California and Azusa Pacific University
NEW BOARD MEMBERS
Betty Ann Jansson - Village Member since 2012
Betty Ann Jansson founded the nonprofit organization, Women at Work. She has a strong background in nonprofit management, and dedication to strengthen Pasadena Village’s finances and development activities. Betty explains that she “values how Pasadena Village offers a way to age in a more healthy way and allows us to stay in our homes as long as we wish.” She looks forward to working with the Board to increase membership, with an emphasis on making the Village more diverse.
Barbara Madden - Village Member since 2012
Barbara Madden is a retired social worker who worked at a family service agency, in mental health clinics, and in private practice. She served on Pasadena Village’s board several years ago and currently is involved in the Support Assessment Team and organizes the Neighborhood Group leaders. She is very interested in Village sustainability and wants to find ways to involve younger people. “For me, the most valuable part of being involved in the Village are the social connections I’ve made with people I wouldn't have met otherwise. These new friends have broadened and enriched my life.” She expressed that the biggest challenge of the Village is the age of our members. Most people joined in their 70s and are now older. She is interested in the long term, in building an organization that is solid enough and flexible enough to survive and flourish.
Paula Rao - Village Member since 2012
Paula Rao is the President of the Board of The Music Circle, a non-profit arts organization founded in 1973 by her late husband which presents the classical music and dance of India to Southern California audiences. She studied art with Corita Kent and currently uses her creative talents in the redesign of the Village website. She wants to get more members involved in the many aspects of the Village and wants to work toward making the Village sustainable.
Ron Stoffers
Ron Stoffers is a fiduciary, court-appointed conservator, and former banker. He is certified in both Trust Management for Trustees and Trust Management for Conservators from CSU Fullerton and a member of both the local Fiduciary Roundtable and Monrovia Providers. He has been the membership chair of the board of directors of a national organization with 17,000 members. He grew up in Pasadena and returned to raise his family here. He brings a strong financial background and knowledge of membership-based nonprofits.
RETIRING BOARD MEMBERS
We are grateful for the service of the following board members.
Shizuko Akasaki has not only been a board member for six years, she served as President for three terms! She remains an active member of the Village.
Leni Fleming remains active of the SAT (Support Assessment Team) where her background as a visiting nurse makes her a key resource in supporting our most frail members.
Bob Snodgrass brought his passion for social justice to the Inclusivity Committee where he served as chair for two years. Bob has recently moved to Seattle to be closer to family but he remains an active Zoom participant in meetings and programs.