Financial stress felt at the senior center

Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008 | midnight

There is a lot in the news to be concerned over: banking, housing, the stock market, politics. It doesn't seem to end, and the news has not been good.

Some pundits seem to suggest that we brought this on ourselves. Our need for instant gratification, wanting more than we can afford, has contributed to this massive financial crisis.

In some ways they may be right. People seem to feel entitled to whatever they want, whether or not they have earned it. They want what they want, when they want it.

Unfortunately, I see this attitude at the Senior Center. Many people who are able to make a contribution don't. It is a "donation only" basis, and they just don't feel like donating. Unlike the federal government, which can print its own money, the Senior Center has a limited budget to spend on food and transportation. When the funds are gone, they are gone and there is no unlimited well in which to dip for more money.

During the past year, our donations for meals have covered only 40 percent of those served. Is that fair to the 40 percent of the people when 60 percent don't contribute but still benefit?

It's not just about the money. Are you always trying to be "the first" instead of having patience and waiting your turn? Does it really matter if you get served first or 21st?

Not often, but occasionally, there are angry voices in the center. I always try to speak to people the way that I would like to be spoken to. Do you do the same?

I don't have all the answers, but I know that in this time of stress and economic hard times, if we don't all support one another we will all fail miserably, and alone. As a center, we are here to provide, as a service, meals and transportation for the senior community.

We can only continue to do this as long as we are doing it along with the community. You can't do it alone, and neither can we.

Country Spirit

It's back! Country Spirit will perform at 7 p.m. Oct. 17. Come enjoy some good music and fun!

Reminder

Registration of the people we serve for federal grants began Oct. 1. Your cooperation is appreciated while we go through this annual process to fulfill our grant requirements.

This Week at the Senior Center

Thursday

8 a.m. — Wood carvers

10:30-11:15 a.m. — Starbucks coffee demonstration

1 p.m. — Canasta and pinochle

1 p.m. — Chatty Hatters

6:30 p.m. — Weight Watchers

Friday

9:15 a.m. — T'ai chi

8 a.m.-Noon — Farmers market

8:30 a.m. — Book cleaners

9 a.m. — SHIP/Medicare

12 p.m. — Duplicate bridge

1 p.m. — 500 cards

1 p.m. — Pinochle

7 p.m. —Country Spirit

Saturday

9 a.m. — Weight Watchers

Sunday

10 a.m .— United Methodist Church of Boulder City

Monday

9 a.m. — Toenail clinic

11:30 a.m. — Mah jongg

1 p.m. — Wood carving

1 p.m. — Party bridge

Tuesday

9 a.m. — Congressman Jon Porter's representative

10 a.m. — Coin collecting

12:45 p.m. — Poker

1 p.m. — Pinochle

6:30 p.M. — Weight Watchers

Wednesday

9 a.m. — Blood pressure

9 a.m. — Weight Watchers

9:15 a.m. — T'ai chi

12:30 p.m. — Open music jam

12:45 p.m. — Bingo

6 p.m. — Duplicate bridge

Lunch Menu

Thursday — Chicken cacciatore over pasta, veggies, salad bar with fruit

Friday — Main salad bar, rolls, crackers and fruit

Monday — Baked ziti, green beans, salad bar and fruit

Tuesday — Pot roast, potatoes, carrots, salad bar, fruit

Wednesday — Swedish meatballs, rice, mixed veggies, salad bar, fruit

Dave Clark can be reached at 990-2677 or dave.clark@hbcpub.com.