Pocket Life
By Corky Mau
December 2023
Warm Wishes
Groups spread holiday cheer through knitting
Spread joy and warmth to homebound seniors this holiday season. Project Warm Wishes, an annual program by Meals on Wheels, is underway.
Project Warm Wishes improves the quality of life for local seniors, helping them stay in their homes by providing nutritious meals and social interaction. Meals are available to qualified seniors ages 60 and up.
Around Christmas, another goal is to keep those seniors warm. Inspiration comes from a small group of friends who made it their mission to make handmade yarn items for community organizations whose clients need warm accessories.
In the past decade, the group donated hundreds of scarves, hats, lap blankets and other items to the Union Gospel Mission, the ACC Senior Services annual craft and bake sale, military veterans and Meals on Wheels.
Nancy Wai-Watanabe, a former teacher with Sacramento City Unified, is part of this tight-knit (I couldn’t resist) group.
Spread joy and warmth to homebound seniors this holiday season. Project Warm Wishes, an annual program by Meals on Wheels, is underway.
Project Warm Wishes improves the quality of life for local seniors, helping them stay in their homes by providing nutritious meals and social interaction. Meals are available to qualified seniors ages 60 and up.
Around Christmas, another goal is to keep those seniors warm. Inspiration comes from a small group of friends who made it their mission to make handmade yarn items for community organizations whose clients need warm accessories.
In the past decade, the group donated hundreds of scarves, hats, lap blankets and other items to the Union Gospel Mission, the ACC Senior Services annual craft and bake sale, military veterans and Meals on Wheels.
Nancy Wai-Watanabe, a former teacher with Sacramento City Unified, is part of this tight-knit (I couldn’t resist) group.
CANAL LIGHTS
It’s time to make the Pocket canal sparkle. Volunteers are needed to hang holiday lights along the canal Saturday, Dec. 2, at 9:30 a.m. in Portuguese Park. Recruit a few neighbors and friends. If your club wants to help, sign up with Will Cannedy at pocketlightsvolunteers@gmail.com.
A canal lighting ceremony takes place 4–5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3. I’ve heard Santa may drop by.
The lights program can always use donations. Tax-deductible gifts can be made through the city’s gifts to share at giftstoshareinc.ejoinme.org/donate (select District 7 Canal Holiday Lights). For information, contact Devin Lavelle at devinlavelle@gmail.com or (916) 995-0927
COFFEE TALK
Join local food historian Maryellen Burns on Wednesday, Dec. 6, as she leads a group discussion called “Jews and Chinese Food: A Christmas Love Story.” Did you know that since the Gold Rush, the Sacramento Valley Jewish community has supported numerous local Chinese restaurants? Learn more about this partnership over coffee and pastries.
Conversation starts at 10 a.m. and is part of a “coffee klatch” series at ACC Senior Services. Contact ACC at (916) 503-5807 to register.
NEW YEAR’S DANCE
New Year’s Eve plans still undecided? Check out the dinner dance at Elks Lodge No. 6 on Sunday, Dec. 31. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. For $75 per person, guests enjoy a prime rib dinner and a night of dancing. Music is provided by the Midnight Players with a balloon drop and champagne toast at midnight. For tickets, call the lodge at (916) 422-6666.
Corky Mau can be reached at corky.sue50@gmail.com. Submissions are due six weeks prior to the publication month. Follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram: @insidesacramento.
