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Date: 12/31/2025
Subject: Village Vibes Newsletter - January 2026
From: Tierrasanta Village of San Diego (TVSD)




JANUARY 2026 NEWSLETTER

President's Message
 
I start with a WOW!!! I must express my appreciation to all the members who supported our 2025 Annual Donor Drive. We exceeded our $15,000 goal by raising $25,945. Thanks to generous giving, we go into 2026 with anticipation, excitement and on sound financial footing. Your donations will make a positive impact on our mission to support the health and well-being of our members as we age in our homes. This helps us minimize how much we draw from our savings to fund our annual expenses. Our goal of increasing our paid staff (Welcome Leslie) has come to fruition. We can now move ahead with our Member Services Plan, the Healthy Living Resource Fair, investigate updating our website search engine and continue to offer programs, speakers, exercise classes and other activities based on the needs and interests of our members. All this takes time and resources. I promise the Board of Directors to be responsible stewards of both your donations and your trust. Thank you for believing in and supporting the work we are doing!

This is a busy time for our Village Board of Directors. At our next meeting we will be discussing and adjusting the 2026 budget as proposed by the finance team. We will also continue our discussion and work on the Village Strategic Plan. We will continue to keep you informed of our accomplishments.

January signals new beginnings, setting intentions, reflecting on past goals and creating new ones. As you reflect on your Village experience, please think about how you would like to get involved this year. Perhaps you’d want to volunteer more, attend more programs or events, join an exercise class, a committee, a casual conversation or try a new activity. I encourage to stay informed by reading your emails, coming to our general meetings the first Monday of each month, looking at our monthly calendar, signing up to attend what interests you and asking questions if you are unsure about anything. Say, “Yes,” and to “Go for it!”

Wishing you a happy, healthy new year filled with many meaningful Village connections and experiences!
 
Ginny VanBenthuysen
TVSD Board President 

2025 Holiday Party
 
Members enjoyed another wonderful holiday party together at Bali Hai. The planning committee did a fabulous job. Volunteers did so much to create this fantastic event. They secured the venue, planned the meal, decorated the tables and kept everything, and everyone, organized. Thank you all for your contributions!
 
Thank you to our event sponsor as well, Carol Mundell of Century 21 Real Estate. TVSD is dedicated to helping members remain in their homes safely and independently for as long as possible. But, when it is time for a member to consider a move, Carol can be a great resource and support. The TVSD Board of Directors was happy to recently learn that Carol will continue her Supporting Partner status into the new year.

The Power of Laughter
 
Friday, January 16th 2:00-3:00 p.m.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church
 
In this uplifting and engaging talk, Jonathan Schwartz, Gerontologist and Founder of Partner in Aging, explores the science and spirit behind one of life’s simplest joys—laughter. Drawing on research and real-life stories, Jonathan highlights how laughter reduces stress, strengthens relationships, and even improves our physical health. With warmth and humor, he shows how laughter can be a powerful tool for aging well, building resilience, and staying connected to the people we love. Audiences will walk away not only smiling, but also inspired to bring more laughter into their daily lives. Please register and be sure to invite your friends and neighbors.

2025 Donor Drive
 
A sincere thank you to all donors for supporting the end of year Donor Drive. A total of $25,945 was raised to help fund village operations in the new year!
 
Jim & Jinny Batterson
Marilyn Bente
Laurie Brown
Jo Carle
Chris & Sue Christian
Ruth Cleveland
Anne-Marie Jewel
Linda Juhasz
Barb Kanneman
Rhoda Keegan
Anne Kellett
Jay & Diana Keyes
Rita Koett
Ann Lasdon
Barbara Lester
Becky Lunneberg
Sally McArdle
Melinda McGlinn
Mika & Mira Milovancev
Patricia Mudd
Bradlyn Mulvey
Trish Newbill
Cindy Palenske
Tom & Kathy Passios
Joann Reichenbacher
Mike Rigdon
Carol Rinehart
Mike & Jane Rohman
Ken & Sue Ross
Gunnar Schalin
Barbara Solomon
Don & Gayle Stewart
Thom & Ginny VanBenthuysen
PK & Candy Walsh
Sheila Weiner
Art & Gail Wilson

Social Committee Update
 
- Cassandra Hanrahan is hosting one of our first events of the new year at Pinot's Palette on Saturday, January 17th. This is a "sip and paint" class and Cassandra promises you need ZERO artistic skill to have fun at this event. Here's a video of a paint and sip class as an example. Class starts at 11AM and cost is $39. Attendees can also join for lunch at Solare Restaurant nearby after the class. Find the registration information at this link.

- January’s final Village activity will be held the morning of Friday, January 30, a slightly early celebration of this year’s Groundhog Day. We’ll meet at the Clubhouse 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Come gather around our inflatable groundhog, maybe play a round or two of southern California weather trivia, enjoy some light snacks and fellowship. Whether you’ve been to a previous groundhog celebration or just want an excuse for a new-to-you coolish weather celebration, feel free to join us. Please register 
by the end of Tuesday, January 27th so we can plan food and drink quantities. Happy Groundhog Day!
 
- If you haven't had a chance, please take this quick survey from the TVSD Social Committee.
 
SAVE THE DATE FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS
BIRCH AQUARIUM – Thursday, February 12th
PUZZLEMANIA – Friday, February 20th

Intergenerational Tech Help
 
The Intergenerational Club (IGC) at UCSD is again offering our Village opportunities to interact with university students. During the past three years, they have provided tech help on Saturday mornings for our members who have had problems or who simply have questions about smart phones and watches, laptops, tablets, and computers. If you have participated in any of these tech sessions, you know how competent and generous these students are. They are again offering to help troubleshoot our tech problems with one-on-one advice. We will be meeting on Saturday morning, January 17, at 10:00 until 12:00 noon at the home of Fran and Greg Zweibel. Space is limited, so please register

 
 
Welcome New Member!
 
Maureen Le Danseur

Care Committee Corner
 
Something New: Vibration Plates

What is a vibration plate?  It is an exercise platform that rapidly vibrates, causing your muscles to contract and relax multiple times per second.  I say that it’s something new, because it’s new to me.  A friend purchased one, and was excitedly explaining how good she felt after using it.  I had never heard of a vibration plate before.  I went home and did some research using my usual sources:  Google and AI.  Here is what I found out about vibration plates and their potential benefits for seniors:

Balance and Stability:  Standing on a vibration plate requires balance and stability, which can improve with repeated use.  

Muscle Strength and Tone:  Muscle contractions increase in power and endurance.

Bone Density: Vibration plates stimulate bone-building cells, potentially reducing osteoporosis risk.

Circulation: Vibration plates increase blood flow.

Flexibility: Vibration plates help relax muscles, and can alleviate chronic pain by reducing swelling and promoting blood flow to joints.

How to get safely started using one?  Start with short sessions, say 5 minutes, at a low vibration setting, to get used to the feeling.  Hang on to a chair, or use handles that come with some machines.  Some gyms have vibration plates, and can let you try one with supervision.  

Remember, all of the above information is from reading I did on the internet.  Some articles cautioned against using vibration plates if one has severe back problems, migraines, seizure disorders, blood clotting disorders, or artificial joints. If you don’t have these issues and want to try a vibration plate, please do your homework, and please consult with your doctor before incorporating a vibration plate into your health and wellness routine. Here are two interesting articles I read about vibration plates:

“Vibration Plates: Benefits and Exercises”, WebMD, Written by Hallie Levine, Medically Reviewed by Christine Mikstas, RD. LD on August 12, 2024; (Website: www.webmd.com) and

“Vibration Plates: Are there health benefits?”, MDAnderson Cancer Center, Written by Gina Van Thomme, November 19, 2025, Medically Reviewed by Gabriel Pagnotti, Ph.D., November 19, 2025. (Website: mdanderson.org)

Joan McGeachy 
TVSD Care Committee 

Technology Classes
 
Supporting Partner John Atkinson, owner of Atkinson Tech Help, will be teaching us how to be more tech savvy in 2026! Keep an eye out for a survey in the coming weeks asking which potential education topics are of the most interest to you.

Casual Conversations 

This is an informal gathering aimed at building connections, gaining insights and exploring opportunities.  It’s a relaxed discussion without a strict agenda that allows members to connect on a more personal level and build rapport.    
WHY: to get to know each other, strengthen existing relationships, foster new friendships, share interests and ideas, ask questions and get updated on lives and events.

The next Casual Conversation is on 
Tuesday, January 13th 2:00-3:30 p.m. at the Clubhouse. One of the topics we will chat about, requested by one of our members, relates to time management. What tools do you use to manage your time? It could be apps, hints, sticky pads, shortcuts, phone calendars, paper calendars, alarms, etc.  Maybe we’ll also talk about our hopes, wishes or goals for the new year! We’ll see, remember there is no strict agenda! Register here.

FINANCIAL FOCUS®
New Year’s financial resolutions: Making them stick

 

As the calendar flips to a new year, millions of Americans pledge to improve their financial lives. But without a concrete plan, those well-intentioned resolutions often fade quickly.

Financial goals consistently top the list of New Year's resolutions. A 2025 CFP Board study shows that financial resolutions are prominent, with saving more money (45%) and reducing debt (32%) ranking among the top three goals.
Unfortunately, most resolutions don't last. A 2023 Forbes Health poll found that over half of people give up on resolutions by the four-month mark and only 1% make it the full year.

The challenge isn't a lack of desire for change. People may set the same resolution year after year, revealing a disconnect between intentions and action. Or it may be that they try to tackle too many goals at once, or aim higher than is realistic, setting themselves up for disappointment.

 

Access the full article



Eating Well Interest Group 
 
You may have heard about the TVSD Eating Well interest group. This group of members gets together to sort through all the diet misinformation out there and discover how to use food to shape their health. Together they have learned how every bite they eat can lead them closer to longevity or disease. 
 
In the new year, the group will also investigate what to eat to maintain brain health. First, they need to understand normal cognitive changes as we age. This video defines cognitive aging and the changes that are considered "normal".  
Richard S. Isaacson, MD, presenting this video, is a Harvard-trained neurologist and world-renowned researcher in the field of Alzheimer's prevention and treatment. He founded and directed the first Alzheimer's Prevention Clinic in the U.S. in 2013.
 
Another video from Dr. Isaacson provides a good foundation for eating to support brain health and is the type of resources the Eating Well group is happy to share with other members. The Eating Well group meets on the first Tuesday of the month 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Contact Cassandra at the TVSD Front Desk (tierrasantavlg@gmail.com) to be added to the group's distribution list.

 
 
 
TVSD Walking Group
 
The next meet up for the Walking Group is Friday, January 16th at 8 a.m.
Register here!

January Member Meeting

The first Member Meeting of the new year is on Monday, January 5th at 3pm at the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The presenter at the meeting will be a representative from Elder Law & Advocacy (ELA). Elder Law & Advocacy is a non-profit organization that provides free or low-cost legal services and health insurance counseling to seniors. They offer assistance with issues like elder abuse, landlord/tenant problems, public benefits, Medicare, and estate planning, and can prepare documents such as simple wills, advance healthcare directives, and power of attorney. The presentation at the January meeting will focus on Medicare.

Please bring your name badges and non-perishable food items for the Seventh-day Adventist ongoing Food Drive. Thank you for registering
.

Tuesday Lunch Bunch
Mom's Pho & Grill
January 20th, 11:30 a.m.
ROMEO
Kahn's Cave
January 13th, 11:30 a.m.
Solo Network (SNAP)
Bully's Restaurant
January 24th, 11:30 a.m.


 
January 2026 Village Events
 
Please note the Village Front Desk is closed January 1st, 2nd and 19th. 
 
Check out the full Event Calendar for all of the upcoming events, classes, and activities!
 

 
Thinking about joining Tierrasanta Village? 
 
Attend the next Informational Happy Hour! This event is an excellent way to meet our members and learn about the Village Movement.

Every 3rd Wednesday 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Let us know you'll be there with a Call/Text to 858-569-9119 or email tierrasantavlg@gmail.com. 

Tierrasanta Village
Clubhouse Address:
5275 Rimpark Lane
 San Diego, CA 92124
858-569-9119
www.tierrasantavillage.org
Mailing Address:
10601 Tierrasanta Boulevard, G-405
San Diego, CA 92124