- Author: Saoimanu Sope
Max Fairbee spent his high school years moving around Southern California to cities like Covina, La Verne, Pomona and Apple Valley, hoping that his mother would find stability in the next place they'd call “home.” After attending five different high schools, Fairbee decided to take the California High School Proficiency Exam and earned his diploma that way.
Eventually, he accepted a job at Tower Records in West Covina, working there for six years. “Until my current job, Tower Records was the longest position at a single company I ever held,” said Fairbee. “That's where I began to discover myself and understand diversity and acceptance.”
Fairbee loved the arts and wanted to find a career where he could utilize creativity and share his appreciation of the arts. Attending Orange Coast College and Platt College, he spent time learning typography, photography, fine art and graphic art.
Unsure of what he wanted to do next and struggling to secure employment as a graphic artist, Fairbee took a job at the North Coast Co-Op, a natural foods grocery store in Eureka, after moving to Humboldt County in 2009. Fairbee worked at the co-op for over three years and while he worked in various positions, his most valuable role was conducting food demonstrations.
“My inclination for community service started in that food co-op,” said Fairbee. “I learned about where food comes from, what goes into your food, food sustainability, and all of the lights in my head went off.”
Fairbee began working as a mental health technician, teaching life skills to adults with different levels of learning abilities. “I was teaching them how to do things, like, managing medication and doing laundry,” Fairbee said. “At the same time, I was developing their appreciation for art and music by hosting workshops.”
Teaching becomes a path forward
Channeling his appreciation for healthy living and love for teaching, Fairbee now works in Alameda County, developing and delivering nutrition education classes for older adults, almost half from the Chinese and Vietnamese communities in Oakland and the surrounding area. He teaches them ways to achieve and sustain healthy lifestyles through the Eat Healthy Be Active Community Workshops.
The lessons are centered on understanding what is healthy and why. One of the skills Fairbee teaches his students is how to read a nutrition facts label. At some sites, he also incorporates gardening education using edible plants.
“I told myself that I would never take a job where I didn't go home and like to talk about my work,” Fairbee said.
Naturally, Fairbee went on to describe how proud he feels about his work with older adults in the Bay Area. In mid-April, Fairbee celebrated his recent class of graduates who are all over the age of 60. Students were highly engaged in the lessons about healthy living and Fairbee had 23 students complete the course.
“There's a lot of language barriers, so, I rely on interpreters a lot,” Fairbee explained. “You would think that after six weeks, and with a language barrier you'd have fewer students complete a course like this. But no, not my students.”
Remaining physically active is a recurring topic and activity throughout the six-week course, according to Fairbee, who noticed an association between physical activity and happiness.
“I had a 98-year-old student who invited me to her birthday party at the Oakland Zoo one time,” Fairbee recalled. “Apparently she did that every year and she invited all her friends.”
Community service is ‘paying it forward'
Fairbee said that the friendships he has cultivated over the years have played a significant role in his desire to give back. Born in Indiana, Fairbee said that growing up, he always knew he needed to come to California.
“I watched a lot of Brady Brunch growing up. For some reason, they had this perfect life and I wanted that,” he said. Eventually, Fairbee's parents divorced, and his mother moved to Southern California and took him with her when he was 13.
“When my mom brought me to California, she saved my life,” said Fairbee.
He didn't know why, but he knew that he couldn't stay in that Indiana community. Perhaps it was the blatant racism or xenophobia that he observed within his own family or others. Either way, Fairbee was adamant about moving westward.
“I'm very different from my family,” said Fairbee. “For one, I'm gay. But also, we just have different beliefs in how to treat people,” he explained.
Fairbee said that the people who made his life in California full of “magical moments” were friends and their families. He remembered celebrating Thanksgiving with a friend, and how much more fun and special it was compared to the holiday spent with his own family.
“Over the years, I noticed that since I moved to California in the '80s, important holidays and celebrations were made special because of my friends,” he said.
The opportunity to spread love and kindness is what keeps Fairbee motivated. “Community service comes from the kindness of others. That's what my friends did for me and the work I do now is my way of paying it forward,” he said.
Fairbee says that he cannot describe the feeling of community service, but that when you have done it once or twice, there's no greater reward.
“There's like a million thank you's and at the end of the day, you feel full. And not from food, but of love,” he said. “Honestly, I'll be doing this work until I retire. I can't see myself going anywhere else now.”
- Author: Patti C. Wooten Swanson
Are you age 65 or older?
If so, you may be targeted by a new Medicare scam.
Medicare is issuing new benefit cards with new benefit ID numbers.
Why?
Look at your Medicare card. Your social security number, which is also your benefits number, is printed on your card. This has led to growing rates of identity theft among those 65 years and older.
Its easy for a thief to get your number. Anyone who stands close to you when you check out at the pharmacy can see the number and use it to steal your identity and may even fraudulently claim benefits in your name. The same thing can happen if someone sees your card when you open your wallet at the cash register, or finds your missing wallet (with your Medicare card inside).
What's changing?
The government redesigned the Medicare card so that it does not reveal your social security number. You will be assigned a new personal benefits number. Here's what the new card will look like:
What do you need to do?
Nothing.
That's important because scammers may try to take advantage of someone who is not aware of the process for receiving their new card.
The new card will be sent to you. You do not need to fill out a form, pay a fee, or give someone your social security number. Here's what the Federal Trade Commission advises to protect yourself:
- If you get a phone call, email, text or letter claiming to be from Medicare and asking for your social security or bank account number...
IGNORE it! That's a scam. Medicare will never call (or send an email, text message, or letter) and ask for this information. - If someone asks you to pay for a new Medicare card...
IGNORE them. That's a scam. Your new Medicare card is free. - If someone threatens to cancel you benefits unless you give them information or send money...
IGNORE them.That's also a scam. There will not be any changes to your benefits.
When will this change happen?
Delivery begins in April 2018 and will be completed by April 2019.
Questions?
Learn more at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. https://www.cms.gov/medicare/new-medicare-card/nmc-home.html
- Author: J. M.
Read more news at California 4-H News or National 4-H News
Check out our County Calendar here! July
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Attention Camp 2 Campers and Staffers Did your child attend camp 2 this year? If so, please check to see if they accidentally picked up a black cinch bag with a "Rage" soccer logo on the front and may have her name on it. There is an important medical device in bag. Please check and give the office a call if you find it. (707) 565-2681 Thank you! 4-H Shooting Sports Workshops If you have an interest in sharing your Shooting Sports skills with youth, how about becoming a 4-H Shooting Sports adult volunteer or teen leader? There will be a variety of 4-H Shooting Sports leader certification trainings offered this fall. The classes will be held over a Saturday and Sunday weekend format at the Safety First Shooting Association, River Oaks Range, 11584 Shaffer Rd, Winton, in Merced County (center state). This class is being hosted by Merced County 4-H. You must become a 4-H leader or member and attend both days to receive certification to lead the shooting sports discipline of your choice at the project, club and camp levels. The course will include a PowerPoint lecture, review of equipment, practice shooting and teaching, and a written test. The cost is $35 per person to include a resource binder, with Saturday and Sunday lite breakfast refreshments. Please bring your own lunch to the class. Junior and teen leaders are invited but must attend with an adult or have a certified shooting sports adult leader they will be assisting back home. Driving directions to the facility. Tent or Dry RV camping is an option. Numerous hotels are available in the area, contact Dave below for more info if needed. To register, please complete and mail the “CA 4-H Shooting Sports Training Request and Registration Form” with an adult or youth 4-H medical release form and a $35 check payable to “Merced County 4-H Council” and mail to UCCE, 2145 Wardrobe Ave, Merced, 95341. Registration is due Friday the week before your class (7 days prior), and Space is limited to 20 attendees. For more information call Dave at 209-614-1718 or Darlene McIntyre at 209-385-7418 or email her at dlmcintyre@ucanr.edu. Rifle – August 12 & 13th Free Youth Horsemanship Workshops- Sonoma County Fairgrounds Sonoma County Horse Council presents: Free Youth Horsmanship workshops Topics to be covered: Show Ring Etiquette If you would like to volunteer to help at these events or for more information please contact: Bev Palm at bbpalm88@att.net or call (707) 782-1183 Bay Coast Area Updates Here is our July Bay Coast Area Update. I am really looking to get a big group of Citizenship Weekenddelegates outside of the typical sectional lines- this is a great opportunity for those with youth that are interested in CalFocus/CWF in the future but are too young/not ready, or those that can't attend one of those Citizenship conferences due to cost, timing, etc. If there are those that are interested from the far south or far north, I will try to organize carpool or a bus system so we can get kids to this amazing event. Thank you! Let me know if you have any questions! - Trent Casting "Kids Baking Championship" Greetings all! Blair Franklin, Casting Producer for a Food Network show called “Kids Baking Championship” is currently casting ages 8-13 for Season 4 of the show. |
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From the 4-H Youth Development Advisor, Steven Worker President's Letter - Naomi Edwards
Hoping this letter finds you comfortable as you are getting ready for fair or camp, record books, and a new 4H year. Many youth have already show their fabulous, woodworking, art, photography, crafts, foods, plants, and animals at the Sonoma-Marin Fair, Congrats! Many of the youth are preparing for the end of some of their year long project planning at the Sonoma County Fair Aug 3-Aug 12. It is my hope that you have entered something so you can show the county your hard work, either in the form of an item or animal.If you have not entered go to the fair and be inspired! Many youth are at camp or finishing up the week as you read this. Thanks you to all those that graciously gave up their time to volunteer as youth staff or adult staff. Can't wait to hear how it was! Record Books are due August 19 and many youth are working diligently to finish up their recordbook. It is a valuable piece to see how far a youth has come in one year and what they have accomplished. I know, as a leader, I am already getting excited for new projects and youth that will be joining clubs in the fall. July 1 is the start of a new 4H year, so let's make it the best! See you at the fair, Naomi Edwards |
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Enrollment training and process: |
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4-H Safety Clover Notes Club Leader Resources
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4-H does not endorse any person in the community who make requests. As always, please use caution when contacting someone. 4-H members who accept listed jobs are doing so as an individual, outside of the scope of the 4-H program. Roosters looking for a home Our poultry leader Ani Hansen (707) 477-8187, received baby chicks in the hopes they would be hens. Of course off the bat she has 6 roosters. She is looking to re-home them. Currently Western Farms is not taking any roosters in until they make room. She has (4) Sebrights and (2) blue Cochins. All have been hand raised and are friendly, but she lives in city limits and is not allowed to have any roosters. Graze Land for senior in Petaluma Looking for volunteers Hello, Jane Engdahl from the Sonoma County Fair Special Events department is looking for 4-H or FFA members that would be interested in sharing their animals (small or large) with the public during Sonoma County Fair traveling fair events. This would be a great way for members to share their projects and teach the public about agriculture. An informational flyer is attached. Please share with anyone you think might be interested! Jane's contact information can be found in the flyer. If you're out at Sonoma-Marin Fair stay cool! The dates are: Wednesday Night Market, July 19, 5-8:30 p.m. Location: Downtown Santa Rosa Rohnert Park Certified Farmers' Market, July 21, 5-8 p.m. Location: City Center Plaza Parks Make Life Better Bash!, July 28, 5-8 p.m. Location: Howarth Park, 630 Summerfield Road, SR Thank you, Heather Connecting Local Seniors with 4-H Clubs Catholic Charities of Santa Rosa has an adult day program called the Shaw Center for Memory Care. They are a non-profit program serving seniors who have dementia. Their goal is to provide enriching activities for seniors, including, but not limited to music, physical activity, socialization, gardening, memory games, animal therapy, and art. In the past they have had a 4H group bring their animals to their outdoor site in Santa Rosa to share with their senior clients. They are currently looking for a 4H club who is interested in bringing their animals to the program during the Summer to create a fun day of learning about animals for their seniors. Please contact Lindsey Hazlewood, Program Coordinator at lhazlewood@srcharities.org or 528-8712 x 184 if your group is interested. |
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Copyright © 2017 The Regents of the University of California University of California Cooperative Extension, Sonoma County It is the policy of the University of California (UC) and the UC Division of Agriculture & Natural Resources not to engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person in any of its programs or activities (Complete non discrimination policy statement can be found at http://ucanr.edu/sites/ anrstaff/files/169224.pdf). Inquiries regarding ANR's non discrimination policies may be directed to John I. Sims, Affirmative Action compliance Officer/Title IX Officer, University of California, Davis, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2801 Second Street, Davis, CA 95618, (530) 750-1397. |
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