I've been looking forward to having our semi-monthly chat, and counting my blessings that I live in senior-friendly, beautiful Napa Valley.

Remember, we only have one more opportunity to attend the final Napa Valley Fall Prevention Coalition's event to learn more about preventing falls. It's free and will be held tomorrow, May 22, 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Napa Farmers Market, in the south parking lot at Copia. I'll meet you there.

Let's all bring our throw rugs -- as they are one of the major causes of falls in the home -- to enter the grand prize raffle. It's all free and we'll get a fall risk assessment, home modification information, physical activity demonstrations, raffle prizes and giveaways. For more information, or to join the coalition, contact Terri Restelli-Deits, project director of the Napa-Solano Area Agency on Aging, at 644-6612.

Restelli-Deits is also a very active and involved member of the Healthy Aging Population Initiative. HAPI is planning a June 1 Community Action Summit from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hospice of Napa Valley, 414 South Jefferson St., Napa. This is a wonderful opportunity for us seniors to work together to help build services and to advocate for seniors in Napa Valley.

We certainly want our wishes and concerns to be heard so let's take advantage of this opportunity and help be part of the change.

We're very fortunate to have keynote speaker, Andrew Scharlach, PH.D., who will speak on new models for comprehensive community-based services for seniors. Dr. Scharlach is a professor of social welfare at the University of California at Berkeley, where he holds the Eugene and Rose Kleiner Chair in Aging and directs the gerontology specialization in the School of Social Welfare.

Following Dr. Scharlach's talk, we'll learn about the programs under way and work in small breakout groups to offer advice and to assist the HAPI subcommittees to develop and fine-tune action plans.

A few of the plans we'll be covering are transportation volunteer voucher programs, health access-screening education, pharmacy assistance program for low-income, uninsured seniors and adults; the senior services outreach, information and assistance program; comprehensive home and community-based services planning; mental health and emotional support services; and workforce development and caregiver education.

This is a great opportunity for us to participate in making services, etc., better for us and for all seniors in Napa Valley.

Dr. Hitchcock, director of medical services at Queen of the Valley Medical Center, says, "We hope community members will come to the summit. It's vital that we have input and advice from those who may use the services to make sure we are developing programs that will work for them."

"We have had wonderful support from our local foundations and community funds," said Tina Zoppel, committee co-chair of Family Service of Napa Valley.

Among the donors are the Gasser Foundation, Queen of the Valley Community Benefit, Auction Napa Valley, Archstone Foundation and St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation.

"There is much work to be done", according to Linda Schulz, Director of St. Helena Hospital Women's Center.

We need to RSVP by May 22, as the organizers need a count for lunches. There is no charge for the summit. RSVP to www.aaans.org or phone 258-9087 and ask for Ruby or Celine. For more information call 258-9087 or re-mail uran@hospiceofnapa.org.

HAPI Community Action Summit is sponsored by the Senior Committee of the Napa Valley Coalition of Nonprofit Agencies/Healthy Aging Population Initiative Committee.

Yeah! Another great example of Napa Valley being "senior friendly." Next time we're going to talk about ways that we can continue to "hang in there", health-wise, and keep enjoying the good life.

This and that

If you live Upvalley, and even if you don't, you won't want to miss the Napa County Master Gardeners self-guided tour of six unique gardens in St. Helena and Calistoga. "Down the Garden Path" takes place Sunday, June 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets, $20 prior to the event, $25 on the day of the event. Call 253-4147 for further details.

Students from the Calistoga Elementary School GATE program have declared June 2 Senior Citizen's Day! How wonderful is that? They will feature games, music, food and lots of fun. Calistoga seniors are invited to party like "you're 10 again!" The event will be held at Pioneer Park, starting at 3 p.m.

I repeat: It's great to be a senior in Napa Valley.

Reach Betty Rhodes at bettyrrhodes@sbcglobal.net.