Below is a recording of the OWL-SF Zoom meeting on June 28, 2025, featuring Dr. William Grossman, educating on the topic of Atrial Fibrillation.
SITUATION: In San Francisco Mayor Lurie’s proposed 2025/26 budget, programs that are crucial to our most vulnerable residents face having funds either eliminated or drastically reduced. In addition to reducing the The Dignity Fund’s budget, cuts will affect programs serving such issues as food security, legal services, healthcare, homeless outreach, and immigrants and worker’s rights.
The Board of Supervisors is now considering the Mayor’s proposed budget.
ACTION: Monday, June 23 is Public Comment Day regarding the budget. Beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the Legislative Chamber Room 250 of City Hall, the Board of Supervisors Budget and Appropriations Committee will hear public comments regarding the proposed budget.
SHOW UP and SPEAK OUT for our most vulnerable residents. If you cannot attend in person, immediately email your Supervisor and Budget and Appropriations Committee Chair, Connie Chan and tell them to fund the Dignity Fund and stop cuts to other essential programs serving vulnerable San Franciscans.
ALSO: Share this message with friends, family and colleagues.
See below for links to The People’s Budget outline of proposed cuts, information about Public Comment Day, and contact information for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
Click HERE to contact Budget and Appropriations Committee Chair, Connie Chan.
Click HERE to contact all members of the SF Board of Supervisors.
Click HERE to read The People’s Budget outline of proposed cuts.
Click HERE for instructions on participating in Public Comment Day.
HEART HEALTH:
FOCUS ON ATRIAL FIBRILLATION
WHEN & WHERE:
Saturday, June 28, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
via Zoom
Advanced age is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AFib), a cardiac condition that causes rapid and chaotic heartbeats. In some cases, this can lead to blood clots that put patients at greater risk of stroke, but when detected early enough, AFib can be managed with treatment.
After twenty years as Chief of Cardiology at UCSF, Dr. William Grossman is now Professor Emeritus, with an active practice at UCSF’s Center for Prevention of Heart and Vascular Disease. Dr. Grossman will address the causes, symptoms and treatments for AFib. The meeting will conclude with a Q & A period.
ZOOM INFO TO FOLLOW
For more information: (415) 712-1695; info@owlsf.org
SITUATION: Since the beginning of the current President’s second term, America’s Democracy and Constitution have been under attack by an attempted executive seizure of power. It’s time to let those in power know that this cannot stand!
There are three separate and coequal branches of government—the executive, the legislative, and the judicial.
THERE ARE NO KINGS IN AMERICA!!!
ACTION: Be one of the millions of Americans, including older women, who demand that our Democracy be restored and our Constitution upheld!
Let our voices be heard!!!
Join OWL-SF, hundreds of other organizations and thousands of people as we take to the streets this Saturday, June 14, 2025 to protest the corruption, cruelty and incompetence of the current administration and advocate for Medicare, Social Security, immigrants’ rights and other issues.
In SF, there will be a march from Dolores Park to the Civic Center. Meet at Dolores Park at 11:30 am. For more information, or to locate an event in your area, https://www.nokings.org/
ALSO: Share this message with friends, family and colleagues in and near San Francisco.
ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY!
ACT NOW TO PRESERVE OUR DEMOCRACY!
SITUATION: The Federal Budget Bill which just passed the House by a single vote contains a sneaky provision which would exempt the President from the authority of the Courts, thereby shattering our historic checks and balances and giving the Administration virtually unlimited and unchecked powers.
ACTION: Contact your Senators immediately telling them to exert every effort to defeat this terrifying section of the Budget Bill.
ALSO: It is critical that you contact friends, family and colleagues across the country about this blatant power grab.
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In California:
ALEX PADILLA
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-3553
Click HERE to email
ADAM SCHIFF
112 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-3841
Click HERE to email
Click HERE to find contact info for U.S. Sentators in other states.
SITUATION: As U.S. lawmakers look to enact a new legislative tax package, two crucial programs affecting our most vulnerable citizens—the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, and Medicaid—are poised to see big cuts that experts say could put benefits at risk.
With the proposed changes:
- More federal food assistance beneficiaries would be subject to work requirements.
- States will be on the hook to pay more toward the program.
- Health coverage for millions will potentially be reduced.
- Access to care will be reduced.
All of which will drastically impact older adults, people with disabilities and low-income families, and are being made to offset tax cuts for the wealthy.
ACTION: These cuts are in the budget bill which is now in the Senate. Contact your Senator and tell them to STAND UP for increases to SNAP and Medicaid!
NO CUTS!
ALSO: Share this message with friends, family and colleagues
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Click here for contact information for your U.S. Senator.
The May 24, 2025 OWL-SF Meeting was recorded, audio only.
Fundamental Civil Rights and Individual Liberties
Presenting a Panel on our Rights and Actions
When: Saturday, May 24, 11 AM to 12:30 PM
Where: IN PERSON, Rhoda Goldman Plaza, Olive Room
2180 Post Street at Scott (directions below)
please RSVP by Thursday, May 22
Tanisha Humphrey is the Organizing Manager at the ACLU of Northern California, where she manages local policy campaigns in San Francisco and Vallejo, focusing primarily on criminal justice reform, police accountability, and open government.
Tanisha will be joined by a representative of the League of Women Voters (to be determined), and members of the OWL-SF Political Advocacy Committee. Together they will inform guests of the ways current U.S. Government policies and actions have eroded our rights—especially those affecting Older Women—and discuss ways we can fight to get them back, while protecting the ones we still have.
What’s at Stake for Older Women and other seniors?
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The Olive Room is on the ground floor of Rhoda Goldman Plaza, look for signs directing you how to get there when you enter.
Refreshments will be served. Please RSVP by Thursday, May 22 to:
info@owlsf.org or (415) 712-1695.
DIRECTIONS:
- Post Street is one block north of Geary Boulevard; Scott is one block east of Divisadero.
- Accessible within two blocks by Muni Lines 2, 22, 24 and 38.
- Street parking within two blocks is reasonably easy.
SITUATION: Current law stipulates that California residential care facilities (RCFs) have a plan in place to deal with emergencies for at least 72 hours, but does not specify mandatory power supplies for that time.
State Senate bill SB 435 would require RCFs for the elderly licensed for 16 or more residents to have an alternative source of power, to protect residents’ health and safety for no fewer than 72 hours during any type of power outage.
ACTION: Contact your State Senator today and tell them SB 435 is a no brainer: support this legislation to bolster the safety of residents in RCFs.
ALSO: Share this message with friends, family and colleagues in California.
Click HERE to find addresses, phone numbers and email opportunities for your California State Legislators.
The OWL Book Group will be meeting at 10:00 am on Tuesday, May 13 to discuss The Story of An Hour by Kate Chopin.
Click HERE to read The Story of An Hour by Kate Chopin.
Contact Louise DiMattio at ladimat@aol.com for Zoom info.
SITUATION: Since the beginning of the current President’s second term, America’s Democracy and Constitution have been under siege by a barrage of executive orders and unlawful cuts by unelected Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
It’s time to let those in power know that this cannot stand!
Be one of the millions of Americans, including older women, who demand that our Democracy be restored and our Constitution upheld! Make older women’s voices be heard!
ACTION: Join the May Day protest at San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza featuring an approximately 1 hour long program, followed by a march up Market St.
The event, Thursday, May 1st, starts at 4 PM and ends at 7 PM. If you are unable to come for the whole time, come for a short while if you can! Meet at 4 PM at the steps of City Hall on the Polk Street side of the building where we will gather and walk over to the event. For late comers, look for the hot pink OWL sign, which we will be holding so you can find find us
Let our voices be heard!
ALSO: Share this message with friends, family and colleagues in and near San Francisco.
OWL-SF is very proud of our collaboration with Community Living Campaign (CLC). Please mark your calendars for this years CLC event, NEVER BETTER ELDERS on May 15, an opportunity to meet, mingle and learn from our elder peers. Please drop by the OWL-SF table and say hello!
Hope to see you there!
SF OWLS GATHER TO SPEAK OUT AT TESLA
Where: Meet at Mel’s Kitchen 1050 Van Ness at Geary
When: Noon, Saturday, April 19th and Saturday, May 3rd
What: We will walk the short distance to the Tesla showroom 999 Van Ness at O’Farrell together, with OWL signs encouraging others to join our organization and our cause.
Protest against the shredding of our democracy as the President defies the courts and makes a mockery of Congress.
Let’s gather to make our OWL voices heard LOUD AND CLEAR:
NO ONE VOTED FOR THIS!
SITUATION: The tumultuous and chaotic stream of news coming from the White House on a daily basis makes it difficult to understand and meaningfully respond to the policies, executive orders and mandates that affect our lives daily.
Where are our leaders who should be fighting for our priorities and concerns?
ACTION: Contact Senator Chuck Schumer and tell him that as Minority Leader we need him to take a more forceful role in leading the Democratic Party to respond strongly to President Trump’s policies, especially as they affect older people, their health and their financial security. Write to him and briefly describe your own personal concerns in regard to recent actions coming out of Washington.
ALSO: Share this message with friends, family and colleagus.
Senator Chuck Schumer
322 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-6542
Click HERE to email.
TRUMP PROMISES HANDS OFF SOCIAL SECURITY,
BUT WILL HE KEEP HIS WORD?
WHEN: Saturday, April 26, 2025, 11 AM to 12:30 PM *
WHERE: IN PERSON, Rhoda Goldman Plaza Community Room
2180 Post Street at Scott (directions below)
* please RSVP by Thursday, April 24
Trinh Phan, Director of State Income Security for Justice in Aging, works to ensure low-income older adults have sufficient finances to meet their basic needs. Ms. Phan graduated from Columbia University and UC Law in San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings).
She will Speak to OWL about:
- What is the current status of Social Security?
- How would staff cuts, office closures, more rigorous registration process and other changes affect older people?
- What would privatization mean for Social Security?
- How can we ensure Social Security if there for us and others?
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Refreshments will be served. Please RSVP by Thursday, April 24 to:
info@owlsf.org or (415) 712-1695.
DIRECTIONS:
- Post Street is one block north of Geary Boulevard; Scott is one block east of Divisadero.
- Accessible within two blocks by Muni Lines 2, 22, 24 and 38
- Street parking within two blocks is reasonably easy.
OWL-SF urges OWLs to join INDIVISIBLE SF and 50501 at their HANDS OFF! rally to protest the current U.S. Presidential Administration’s egregious takeover and takedown of government agencies crucial to the American public, for the financial gain of people who are already obscenely wealthy.
WHEN: Saturday, April 5, 2025, 1 PM to 3 PM
WHERE: SF Civic Center Plaza
directly across from SF City Hall
WHERE: SF Civic Center Plaza
directly across from SF City Hall
(see below for public transit info)
The current U.S. Presidential Administration thinks this country belongs to them. San Francisco is fighting BACK!
They’re taking everything they can get their hands on—our health care, our data, our jobs, our services—and daring the world to stop them. This is a crisis, and the time to act is now.
This mass mobilization day is a message to the world that we do not consent to the destruction of our government and our economy for the benefit of billionaires. Alongside Americans across the country, we are marching, rallying, and protesting to demand a halt to the chaos, and to build an opposition movement against the looting of our country.
JOIN OWL-SF TO SPEAK UP AND OUT! HANDS OFF!
OWL-SF is proud to spread the word about this week’s Fabulous Friday Forum by the California Alliance for Retired Americans, (CARA), via Zoom, March 28 at noon.
How a Bill Becomes a Law and People Power Lobbying
Join the CARA Legislative team to learn about the process of creating legislative change. Angie Wei, one of the California Labor Federation’s top lobbyists, will answer questions about being an effective lobbyist with our representatives while being challenged by larger corporate interests.
Click HERE to register.
SITUATION: Nearly all of us are covered by Social Security because nearly all of us contributed. But we don’t all contribute equally. High earners and wealthy individuals–like CEOs and corporate shareholders–effectively pay a lower Social Security tax rate on their income. Social Security taxes are collected only on the first $168,200 of earnings this year. That tax ceiling–known as the “cap”–is inequitable and unfair.
If we simply “Scrap the Cap”–getting rid of the ceiling altogether–millionaires would pay the same tax rate as middle-class families, which would make our economy more equitable, and dramatically improve Social Security’s long-term finances.
The Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 4583) would not entirely scrap the cap, but is a strong step in the right direction. This legislation proposes increases in benefits across the board, plus enhanced cost-of-living adjustments, and a host of other improvements.
ACTION: Write or phone your Congress Member. Urge them to support the H.R. 4583! This would increase benefits across the board and improve cost-of-living adjustments, boosting benefits for low-income seniors and widows/widowers.
ALSO: Please share this message with friends, family and colleagues in the U. S.
Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi
90 7th Street Suite 2-800
San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: (415) 556-4862
Click HERE to email.
Congresswoman Lateefah Simon
1023 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2661
Click HERE to email.
Congressman Kevin Mullin
528 S El Camino Real UNIT 307
San Mateo, CA 94402
(650) 342-0300
Click HERE to email.
Click HERE to identify and contact other members of the House of Representatives.
Scroll below the video for the transcript of the chat from the meeting, and further for links to the websites of organizations mentioned.
Click the link below for the written chat from the meeting.
CHAT from OWL meeting on March 22 2025
Click the next link for slides included in the presentation.
SLIDES from OWL Meeting on March 22, 2025
Legal Assistance for Seniors Oakland: https://www.lashicap.org/
Legal Assistance to the Elderly San Francisco: https://laesf.org/
Self Help for the Elderly: https://www.selfhelpelderly.org/
State Health Insurance Assistance Program: https://www.shiphelp.org/
MARCH 2025 Affordable and Low-Income Housing Opportunities for Seniors and Adults with Disabilities SAN FRANCISCO This document is updated regularly online and may be viewed at: https://bit.ly/3o3Uka9
SAHA does not discriminate on the basis of disability status in the admission or access to, or housing, or employment in, its federally assisted programs and activities.
For anyone looking for assistance in managing these things they should look into a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA Locator – Society of Certified Senior Advisors) or a fiduciary (Fiduciaries: Definition, Benefits, Fees, & How to Find One)
A 2022 Northwestern Mutual study found that U.S. adults who work with a financial advisor “feel like they’re on more solid ground across the board” compared to those who don’t. 1 Working with an advisor who abides by fiduciary duty gives you the assurance of knowing they’re legally obligated to put your interests first.
Quick Links. Meeting & Event Calendar; Membership Application; Access Your PFAC Fiduciary Academy Classes
In the February 22 OWL meeting we learned about action items to assist at-risk immigrants.
In addition to using it yourself, please pass all of this information along to friends, family and colleagues.
Call the hotline 415-200-1548 to report suspected ICE activity in San Francisco.
San Francisco Immigrant Legal & Education Network and the San Franciso Immigrant Legal Defense Collaborative have organized and implemented the San Francisco Rapid Response Network to respond to heightened enforcement actions by Immigration and Cu.stems Enforcement (ICE).
The system includes a 24-hour hotline: 415·200·1548. Call this number if you’re a first-hand witness to suspected ICE activity in SF; text a picture of the activity to the same number: and report the behavior and description of their clothing.
The organizations do raid verification for all calls of alleged ICE enforcement activity within San Francisco. Raid verification is an important component to dispel myths and lessen fear. (To date there has been no ICE activity in San Francisco.) And if an indivldual is detained after an ICE raid or ICE activity, they will activate attorneys to file for representation of the Individual.
Print out this information sheet (in Spanish) for your friends and neighbors
Pass out these instruction “red cards” to at-risk immigrants (one side English, one in Spanish) in the event they are approached by ICE. Let OWL know if you want some and we will order them.