Heart-warming days of birth and impressive birthdays

AVIVA GOELMAN

Last weekend was a time with family for me -- wonderful moments in

Santa Rosa, celebrating Father’s Day and the birth of my fifth

grandchild. It is a great and unique gift, as a grandparent, when a

new baby arrives in your life. The love between a grandchild and a

grandparent is beyond price. We are able to love and be loved

unconditionally.

Celebrating life is just as wonderful when we recognize the

birthdays of our Costa Mesa Senior Center members. On June 18, the

Senior Center held its first birthday party for those celebrating 80

or more years of living. It was a sold-out event and an exceptionally

good time. For those of you who missed the festivities, we will

surely repeat the event. So take heart.

Recently, I have asked some of our senior members to share their

life stories with me. Helen Trautwein -- one of Costa Mesa’s very own

-- responded with words about how she has remained young through the

years by staying active.

“I am 88 years of age and have enjoyed living in Costa Mesa for 71

years,” Helen said. “I have four children, 19 grandchildren and 28

great grandchildren. I have been to Europe, Australia, New Zealand

and Hawaii and drove my camper to Alaska, across Canada and went to

Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and down the East Coast to Florida.

In fact, Helen said, she’d been to all 50 states in the Union.

“I am a member of the Costa Mesa Senior Center and the Costa Mesa

Methodist Church,” Helen continued, “and participate in their

activities. I am also a member of the women’s club and the historical

society, and in my younger days, [I was] a den mother, Girl Scout

leader and active in the PTA. For many years I taught first-aid

classes. This is the story of my life in a nutshell.”

That is the life story of an active lady -- young in spirit and

heart.

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION

July 4th is the one special day of the year when Americans enjoy

parades, picnics and fireworks to honor the birth of our country and

our experiment in freedom. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., July 2, we invite

the public to join us at the Costa Mesa Senior Center for a grand

celebration. Deck yourself out in red, white and blue and celebrate

our nation’s independence.

We’ll have grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, courtesy of In-N-Out

Burger, and live music by The Ragtimers. The fee is $5 for members

and $12 for non-members. For more information, call (949) 643-2356.

Reservations are a must.

SILENT AUCTION SUCCESS

Let me extend an official note of thanks to everyone who donated

to our “Fine Wine, Fast Cars” silent auction, which was held at the

Automotive Road of Dreams Classic Car Museum this past April. The

Teller family, Ryan Miller and family and their staff deserve special

recognition. Thanks to each of the wonderful people for always

thinking of us and being extremely generous. Our thanks go to all the

vendors, who participated through their unfailing support of our

fundraising events: Adam Premium Car Care Products, Aliso Viejo Golf

Club, A’Marees, Angel’s Auto Spa, Barclay Butera, Comcast, Carl

Warren and Company, Chemers Gallery, Conway Communications, Deckers

Fine Gifts and Collectibles, Enhanced Skin Center, EZ lube, Hanagan’s

76, Health Emporium, In-N-Out Burger, Jill Lloyd and Associates,

Inc., Armen Karamardian, La Galleria, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim,

Newport Vacuum and Sewing Center, Pizza Bakery, Ramada Express Hotel

and Casino Riviera Hotel, Salon Ecco, See’s Candies, Grant Boys, Yuen

Lui Studios, Zov’s Bistro, and the Artisans Crafters’ Corner of the

Orange County Marketplace. We look forward to having all of you and

others participate in next year’s event.

CANDIDATE FORUM

Three seats on the Costa Mesa City Council will be open this

coming November election. As we have done in the past, the Costa Mesa

Senior Center will again be inviting all the candidates running for

City Council to a lunchtime event and candidate forum. Please watch

the newspapers for the announcement of dates and times.

SUMMER SENIOR CLASSES

Even though our summer classes began June 21, it is never too late

to join. If you are interested in computer classes, there are spaces

still available. Classes range from computer skills for beginners to

skills for advanced computer users. Our teaching tools include new

computers with Windows XP.

The class duration is eight weeks. There’s also free lab time in

the afternoon, so our instructors can quickly bring you up to date.

For more information, call the center at (949) 645-2356.

* AVIVA GOELMAN is the executive director of the Costa Mesa Senior

Center and will write occasional columns about the center, its

members and senior issues.