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President's Message
I am happy to report that, after several revisions, the Board of Directors has approved our Village Strategic Plan. The plan articulates our mission and vision and acts as a roadmap by defining our goals and objectives. It provides a framework for the Board and staff, ensuring everyone is making informed, proactive decisions, as we work towards reaching our goals.
A major goal is the design and implementation of our Volunteer Services Plan. Implementing this plan will require some changes. After much research, the Board has decided it is in our best interest to switch our website search engine from Club Express to Helpful Village. Helpful Village is specifically developed and geared towards Village needs and will be critical to maintaining volunteer database for services. Training will take place when the time comes but we’ve been assured it is intuitive and easy to learn. Comfort and change do not always co-exist. Please stay positive as we navigate this upcoming process.
The tagline under our new logo is “Neighbors Helping Neighbors.” This is what our Village has been all about since the beginning. I want to give a special shout-out to the Time Bank which has been instrumental in fostering our focus on neighbors helping neighbors. With the current format, the members have not utilized the Time Bank to its fullest potential but the leaders in the Time Bank should be commended because they have set the stage for the necessity and benefits of helping one another. The member-to-member services functionality will be a vital part of Helpful Village, and we look forward to input from our current Time Bank leaders, Carmela Cavero, Delise Konigsbach, and Leslie Fitzpatrick. Thank you, ladies, for your volunteer efforts with the Time Bank and your willingness to help with our next steps with neighbors helping neighbors.
March is said to be a motivational month as Spring awakens and the days get longer. Increased sunshine can boost our spirit and our energy levels. That sounds nice to me. Maybe I’ll pursue a goal and do a little decluttering! We’ll see! Don’t forget to set your clocks forward next weekend. Happy March!
Ginny VanBenthuysen
TVSD Board President
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Living Well 65+ Resource Fair
Tierrasanta Village Movement is hosting its free Living Well 65+ Resource Fair on April 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Seventh-day Adventist Church (11260 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego).
Designed for adults 65+, this informative and engaging event will feature community health and lifestyle resources, the Live Well on Wheels (WoW) bus, opportunity drawings, and expert presentations. |  | |
THE RHINESTONE GRANNIES ARE COMING TO T-TOWN!
Friday, March 13th 2:00-3:00PM
Seventh-day Adventist Church - Fellowship Hall
Plan to spend a great hour of song, dance, and comedy on Friday, March 13th with the Rhinestone Grannies. This troupe of lovely ladies in their 80’s will present a musical salute to stage and screen. Also, with them will be John James, an original member of The Platters. This show will be at 2:00pm at the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
All this entertainment for only $10 CASH, payable at the door. Registration appreciated but not required. Invite your friends and relatives!
| | New Name & Logo
Thank you to members Anne Kellett and Marilyn Millikan as well as the TVSD Board of Directors for guiding the process and design of our new logo and tagline!
| | | | Retain Your Brain
Thank you to Edward Jones Financial Advisor, Robert Farwell, for organizing the How to Retain Your Brain presentation. Special thanks to Bill McManus and Clinton Mains with Hartford Funds for sharing such valuable insights into the new research on factors affecting cognitive decline. If you weren't able to attend this helpful presentation, you can find the link to the recording on the Village YouTube Channel. | | | Don't Fear Fat!
What if everything you thought you knew about healthy eating is outdated? Join us Thursday, March 5th, 1:30 - 2:30 for an eye-opening event on the new Food Pyramid. For decades, Americans were told to fear fat — guidance that led many people to replace healthy fats with refined carbohydrates and added sugars. We now understand that this shift contributed to rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and metabolic disease. At this event, we'll discuss why vilifying fat was such a devastating misstep in national dietary guidance, what the updated recommendations emphasize instead, and how to build balanced meals that truly support long-term health.
We'll also discuss how chronic inflammation — often fueled by excess sugar, refined carbohydrates, and ultra-processed foods — plays a powerful role in the development of chronic disease. Ongoing inflammation has been linked not only to heart disease and type 2 diabetes, but also to cognitive decline and conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. Understanding how food choices either trigger or calm inflammation can be a game-changer for protecting both your body and your brain as you age.
You may also be surprised to learn how ultra-processed ingredients hide in foods many people consider “healthy.” Even whole-grain breads, flavored yogurts, granola bars, plant-based milks, and packaged soups can contain added sugars, stabilizers, and flavor enhancers. At this event, you’ll learn to distinguish potentially harmful ingredients from harmless ones, read labels with confidence, and make informed choices that truly support your long-term health.
Please register and note the location change from the VMC to the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
| Member Forum: GLP-1 Drugs
The weight loss journey has always been complicated, but now with the introduction of GLP-1 drugs (glucagon like peptides-1, also known as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound), the decision is even more complicated. Generally speaking, doctors will prescribe these drugs only if certain conditions are present (such as diabetes or sleep apnea), but these drugs can also be bought on the internet. If you’ve had experience with these drugs, come to this peer-to-peer group meeting and share your knowledge. If you have not had experience but are considering using GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, come to get information that might help in your discussion with you doctor.
Friday, March 20, 2026
1:00 PM until 2:30 PM
Seventh-day Adventist Church
| Photography Volunteer
Thank you to member H.T. Linke for putting his photography skills to work for Tierrasanta Village! H.T. has shared great photos from this year's recent Puzzlemania event, which can be viewed on our Recent Events page.
Thanks also to Jay & Diana Keyes, and their volunteer helpers, for hosting that fun event! | Social Committee Update
Don't miss this!
St. Patrick's Day Potluck
Tuesday, March 17th 11:30 - 1:30 PM
Tierrasanta Lutheran Church
Join your Village friends for the St Patrick's Day Potluck. Please view the register to register and sign up for a food item to share. Deadline for registration is March 12.
| Local Leaders
Representatives from Tierrasanta Village attended Councilmember Raul Campillo's Town Hall Meeting on February 25th at the Tierrasanta Recreation Center. The councilmember shared updates on several important issues and heard residents' concerns.
Village representatives thanked the councilmember and his team for highlighting our organization in their recent newsletter and for once again helping to make the Village's Living Well 65+ Resource Fair possible. Councilmember Campillo's office facilitates the City's Community Projects, Programs, and Services Funding Program, which supports initiatives like ours. He received a personal invitation to attend the event, schedule permitting.
Tierrasanta Village is also fortunate to have Supervisor Joel Anderson as another longtime supporter. The Community Enhancement Program, organized through his office, annually provides funding for exercise classes, educational events and ADA accessible meeting space for older adults in Tierrasanta. An additional grant request, through the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program, is currently under review at the Supervisor's office. If granted, these funds would help Tierrasanta Village design and implement a formal volunteer-provided services program. Vetted volunteers would be matched with older adults needing transportation, grocery or prescription deliveries, in-home tech support, and friendly visits/well checks.
Supervisor Anderson will be hosting a Community Coffee this month to discuss important issues.
Thursday, March 26th, 2026
Mission Trails Regional Park (1 Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego, CA 92119)
Time: 5:30pm-7:00pm
RSVP at supervisorjoelanderson.com/coffee or call 619-531-5522
|  | Welcome New Village Members!
| | Steve Ulmer (photo pending) | | | Care Committee Corner
The Dental Health - Heart Connection
By the time you read this, it will be March already! This year is flying by. February, not March, is officially American Heart Month, a time to focus on heart health. Although this may be a month late, I think it’s important to focus on heart health all year long.
Did you know that your oral health has a direct connection to your heart health? It’s true! A.I. confirmed what I’ve read in the past. Here is what A.I. said when I did an inquiry on the dental health-heart connection:
Key Connections Between Oral and Heart Health:
—Inflammation Mechanism: Bacteria from infected gums (gingivitis/periodontitis) enter the bloodstream, triggering inflammation throughout the body that can lead to atherosclerosis and arterial damage.
—Heart Disease Risk: Chronic gum disease is linked to higher risk for heart disease and cardiovascular issues.
—Infective Endocarditis: Oral bacteria can cause a serious infection of the heart’s inner lining or valves.
—Systemic Diseases: Poor dental health is associated with high blood pressure and other cardiovascular risks.
—Detection: Dentists can detect early signs of systemic disease, such as high blood pressure, during routine exams.
Preventive measures for heart health include daily hygiene, regular checkups, and diets high in fruits and vegetables.
All of the above is from an A.I. inquiry, so as always, please check with your dentist and physician if you have concerns about your dental and heart health. It is also good to check sources other than artificial intelligence! The American Heart Association recently published an article titled, “Gum Disease May Be Linked to Plaque Buildup in Arteries, Higher Risk of Major CVD Events”*. Check it out, and make every month a heart healthy month!
*Web address for article: newsroom.heart.org/search news releases/Gum disease may be linked to plaque buildup in arteries, higher risk of major CVD events; published December 16, 2025. (Note: CVD = Cardiovascular Disease).
Joan McGeachy
TVSD Care Committee
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Volunteer Appreciation
Save the Date for a surprise Volunteer Appreciation event on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 28th.
More details coming soon! | | | FINANCIAL FOCUS®
Ease the squeeze on your retirement income plan
Rising prices may not dominate headlines the way they did a year or two ago, but if you’re retired, you’re probably still feeling them. Even when overall inflation cools, the costliest expenses — like health care, utilities, insurance and property taxes — tend to rise faster than broad inflation numbers suggest. That creates a squeeze that can make you question whether your income plan is built to last.
Fortunately, you often can adjust without drastic cuts that affect your lifestyle. Start by understanding where the pressure comes from and how to build more flexibility into your plan.
Inflation hits retirees differently. You’ve likely noticed your grocery bill, prescription drug costs and heating expenses haven’t returned to “normal.” Even small increases compound over time and can chip away at your buying power.
If your income plan was created years ago, it may assume lower inflation or relatively stable price increases over time. Recent years have shown that’s not always the case.
Why some income plans feel strained. Any plan relying on fixed withdrawals or rigid budgets can feel tight when living costs rise. If you’re drawing from investments, you may hesitate to increase your withdrawals because of market volatility. And if you depend on fixed income sources like Social Security or a pension, yearly cost of living increases may not keep pace with your expenses. You might live 25 to 35 years in retirement, giving small annual cost increases decades to add up.
What you can do without sacrificing stability....read the full article. | Grief Support Group
Tuesday, March 3rd 1:00-2:30 PM
Have you experienced a loss in your life? The Care Committee is offering a grief support group led by Ken Licht which provides a safe place for you to share your feelings, stories, and struggles with others who have gone through the same experience. It is a safe place to feel understood, gain new coping skills, and find support during the grieving process. Online registration is not required. Registration is available at this link or contact member Marilyn Bente to RSVP (cinqavenues5@gmail.com).
| | Tuesday Lunch Bunch
(Note date change to 4th Tuesday)
Boujiemana Mediterranean Restaurant
March 24th, 11:30 a.m. | | ROMEO
Tierrasanta Mexican
March 10th, 11:30 a.m. | | |
(SNAP) Singles Network
Troy's Greek
March 21st, 11:30 a.m.
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March 2026 Village Events
Check out the full Event Calendar for all of the upcoming events, classes, and activities!
| | | Slam the Scam Day – Safeguard Your Community from Government Imposters
The Inspector General for the Social Security Administration (SSA) has designated March 5, 2026, National “Slam the Scam” Day, an outreach campaign to raise public awareness of Social Security scams and other government imposter scams. This effort is part of National Consumer Protection Week, which runs from March 1 to 7, 2026.
In 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received over 330,000 complaints of government imposter scams, an increase of 25% from 2024. SSA remains one of the most frequently impersonated agencies, with scammers often targeting older adults, individuals with limited English proficiency, and veterans. To help prevent losses, we urge everyone to use caution when receiving calls, texts, emails, or messages from someone claiming to be from a government agency.
Recognizing the basic signs of a scam gives you the power to ignore criminals and report the scam. Remind your clients, friends, and family that scammers often:
- Pretend to be from an agency or organization you know to gain trust.
- Say there is a problem or that you’ve won a prize.
- Pressure you to act immediately.
- Tell you to pay in a specific way, such as with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
What to do:
- Hang up on suspicious calls from “government officials” claiming there is a problem with your Social Security number or account.
- Never make payments with gift cards, wire transfers, or by mailing cash.
- Report Social Security-related scams to OIG.SSA.GOV.
- Report other scams to reportfraud.ftc.gov. | Tierrasanta Library Upcoming Events
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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 | |