HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-06-01; Senior Commission; ; Department Report on Senior Activities and ProgramsJune 1, 2023 Item #3 Page 1 of 6
Meeting Date: June 1, 2023
To: Senior Commission
From: Mick Calarco, Recreation Services Manager
Staff Contact: Eric Biggin, Recreation Area Manager
Eric.Biggin@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2648
Subject: Department Report on Senior Activities and Programs
Recommended Action
Receive a report on recently completed and upcoming senior activities and programs, and other
topics of interest.
Executive Summary
Recreation Area Manager Eric Biggin will report on recently completed and upcoming senior
activities and programs, and other topics of interest.
Exhibits
1.Department Report on Senior Activities and Programs
SENIOR COMM,ISS I ON
Staff Report
Exhibit #1
June 1, 2023 Item #3 Page 2 of 6
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SENIOR ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS
DEPARTMENT REPORT
June 1, 2023
GENERAL
Promotion of Eric Biggin
The department is pleased to announce Eric Biggin’s promotion to Recreation Area Manager. Eric will be filling
the vacancy created by Margaret Hamer’s recent departure to the City of Encinitas.
Eric joined the City of Carlsbad a few years ago (in November 2000!) as a Recreation Specialist, assigned to the
Stagecoach Community Center, overseeing operations, contract instructors and park and facility reservations. In
2016, Eric was promoted to Recreation Supervisor, coordinating operations, programs, and staff trainings for the
city’s two aquatic facilities – Alga Norte Aquatics Center and Monroe Street Pool. As part of the aquatic team,
Eric obtained a food manager certificate, an aquatic facility operator certificate, a water safety instructor
certificate, and an American Red Cross lifeguarding certificate.
Most recently, in 2018, Eric further diversified his job skills in joining the Carlsbad Senior Center team, where he
has been responsible for coordinating the Senior Nutrition Program’s congregate dining and home meal delivery
(among many other duties). In his new/expanded role, Eric will be responsible for the full oversight of the
Carlsbad Senior Center, the Pine Avenue Community Center, intergenerational programs, teen programs, and
youth camps.
Eric holds a Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Management from Northern Arizona University. In his free time, Eric
enjoys visiting National Parks, hiking, four-wheeling, playing, and watching sports, as well as participating in
anything having to do with the outdoors. Eric has been married (to Penny) for 29 years and has two wonderful
daughters, Brooke and Kylie.
Goal 2: Support the Age-Friendly Carlsbad Action Plan
Chinese New Year Performance, Jan. 30, 2023
•Teen guitarist, Audrey Zhou, played her favorite rock, pop, classical, and Chinese New Year songs at
the Senior Center.
Share A Heart Community Event at Pine, Feb. 9, 2023
•Senior volunteers and Leadership in Training & Education students shared their time and heart by
leading children’s crafts, games, and cookie decorating with children and their families at the Pine
Avenue Community Center.
Readers are Leaders, Spring 2023
•The Carlsbad Senior Center teams up with Jefferson Elementary School to match volunteers with
students who need help improving their reading skills. Opportunities are available Mon.–Fri. for
community members approved and registered through the Carlsbad School District.
Carlsbad Service Leaders
•Nine students enrolled in the Fall/Winter Carlsbad Service Leader program assisted with the Share
a Heart event, ongoing Teens Teach Tech and Leadership in Training & Education tutoring
opportunities, and senior lunch service during school breaks. The Spring session is helping high
school seniors complete school required hours and those who wish to apply for part-time summer
jobs with the City of Carlsbad.
{city of
Carlsbad
Parks & Recreation
June 1, 2023 Item #3 Page 3 of 6
Culinary Lab: Baking Edition
•Staff instructors Keyla and Tawny lead cooking and baking with the seasons in this bi-monthly 18+
program. This spring they have featured recipes including strawberries, mangos, apricots, honeydew
melon, apples, and cherries.
Multigenerational Story Telling
•On April 6, 2023, teen Leadership in Training & Education students interviewed seniors on how their
families arrived in Carlsbad during this special multigenerational community event, which was
featured in the Carlsbad Library’s My Path to Carlsbad: Story Showcase.
DJ Workshop with Avenida Music
•April 20, 2023, seniors had the opportunity to spin their favorite tracks, learn about the history of
DJing and how it has evolved over the years with Avenida Music through the library & cultural arts’
guest artist residency program.
Goals 1, 3 & 4 Highlights: Collaborations beyond the Senior Center, increase social inclusion, enhance
connectivity and minimize isolation.
Whale Watching Tour
•On Jan. 20, 2023, Carlsbad Senior Center traveled to Oceanside Harbor to board a 50’ catamaran for
an awe-inspiring whale and dolphin watching adventure.
Winery Tour & Tasting
•On Feb. 17, 2023, Carlsbad Senior Center staff led an adventure to the Monserate Winery for a
private vineyard tour and tastings in Fallbrook.
Carlsbad Aquafarm
•On Mar. 24, 2023, seniors enjoyed a guided tour of the Carlsbad Aquafarm where they learned
about sustainable shellfish farming practices. Participants had the opportunity to shuck and enjoy
six of their own oysters!
Carlsbad Flower Fields
•On April 28, 2023, the Carlsbad Senior Center travelled to the Carlsbad Flower Fields to take in the
breathtaking views and a fun and interactive wagon ride, followed by a delicious lunch.
Hybrid Qigong
•Welcome back Fay McGrew, a Certified Qigong Master and long-time resident of Carlsbad. Her
class combines gentle movement & mindfulness with the vibrational energies of your body and
emotions. Registered participants can attend in person or over Zoom on Wednesday mornings,
9:45–11 a.m.
June 1, 2023 Item #3 Page 4 of 6
Goal 4: Social Inclusion
Concert in the Courtyard
•The concert on Jan. 9, 2023 featured the band Ancora. They sang and danced to music of the 60's, 70's & 80's.
•The concert on Feb. 13, 2023 featured Swinging with Dean and Valentine’s cookie decorating.
•The concert on March 13, 2023 featured Vintage Cabaret and the sounds of Jazz and Swing from
around the globe.
•The concert on April 10, 2023 featured Doc and Diane. Attendees enjoyed easy listening 60’s, &
70’s rock & roll.
•The concert on May 8, 2023 welcomed back Adrienne Nims and Spirit Wind who performed a
variety of world music and jazz.
Nutrition Program
•Staff hosted a special lunch on Jan. 9, 2023, to celebrate the new year and return to plated service.
•For Feb. 2023, the staff nutrition team celebrated the Super Bowl with a Kansas City BBQ Pork
sandwich and promoted wearing your favorite team jersey.
•Staff put on a “St Paddy’s Day” celebration on March 17, 2023, featuring a themed meal including
Corned Beef & Cabbage and O’Doul’s which was a big hit with our seniors. The dining room was
decorated accordingly as well.
•Staff celebrated monthly birthdays on Friday Jan. 20, Feb. 17, March 17, April 21, and May 19,
2023, in the dining room and cupcakes were a big hit!
Health and Wellness
Health and Wellness Highlights
•Love Your Heart: Free Blood Pressure screenings were offered three times throughout the month of
February 2023 in honor of Love Your Heart Month. The screenings were offered by True Care, San
Diego Volunteer and Carlsbad Fire Department.
•Eight health and wellness instructors have been teaching 17 unique classes. They have experienced
a monthly average of 180 students enrolled, and 14 of the sessions had 90% or higher enrollment
during February-May.
•10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s: This free clinic on Apr. 3 discussed how Alzheimer’s changes
memory, thinking, and behavior that interferes with daily life. Attendees learned the common
warning signs and what to watch out for.
June 1, 2023 Item #3 Page 5 of 6
STATISTICAL REPORTS
•Home meal counts include the county’s expanded senior nutrition program service (ESNP).
79
2
89
4
1,
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7
8
89
0
12
6
7
78
7 97
1
77
5
64
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9
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7
72
0
72
2
79
4
68
7
28
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3
28
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8
34
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30
7
5
28
4
2
28
4
5
21
4
7
20
7
2
18
6
1
17
9
6
16
7
5
14
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3
05001000150020002500300035004000 Congregate Meals
2023 2022 2021
1,
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1,
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8
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02004006008001,0001,2001,4001,600 Home Meals
2023 2022 2021
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June 1, 2023 Item #3 Page 6 of 6
•Transportation Monday – Friday to the Carlsbad Senior Center with shopping options after lunch on
the first and third Wednesday of each month.
•Medical appointment transportation offered three days a week on Monday, Tuesday, and
Thursday.
16
6
22
0
25
2
21
2
10
3
87
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2023 2022 2021
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Senior Commission
Department Report
Eric Biggin, Recreation Area Manager
Parks & Recreation Department
June 1, 2023
{ City of
Carlsbad
TODAY’S PRESENTATION
•Share a Heart
•Excursions & Concerts
•Hybrid Continues
•Health and Wellness
•Senior Lunch Service
ITEM NO. 4 –DEPARTMENT REPORT
{ City of
Carlsbad
SHARE A HEART
Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023
•Senior volunteers and L.I.T.E.
students led crafts, games, & cookie
decorating with kids and their
families at this community event
ITEM NO. 4 –DEPARTMENT REPORT
( City of
Carlsbad
SENIOR EXCURSIONS
Exploring hidden gems around North
County San Diego
•Whale Watching
•Monserate Winery Tour & Tastings
•Carlsbad Aquafarm
•Carlsbad Flower Fields
•USS Midway
ITEM NO. 4 –DEPARTMENT REPORT
( City of
Carlsbad
Monthly concerts provide fun and
socialization for all ages
•Featuring: Acora, Swingin with Dean,
Vintage Caberet, Doc & Diane, and
Adrienne Nims
•Cookie Decorating
•Book Bike & Seed Library
•Featured Artist display
CONCERTS IN THE COURTYARD
ITEM NO. 4 –DEPARTMENT REPORT
( City of
Carlsbad
HYBRID CONTINUES
Hybrid classes are still in demand and
allow participants to join from home
due to weather, distance, or health!
•Sumi-e & Japanese Ink Art
•Digital Photo & Tech
•Qigong
•Seated Zumba
ITEM NO. 4 –DEPARTMENT REPORT
( City of
Carlsbad
HEALTH & WELLNESS FOCUS
•Love Your Heart campaign
•NEW Qigong, Balance & Mobility,
and Pilates
•Sold-out classes in Spring 2023:
•Tai Chi, Zumba Gold, Seated Core
Strengthening, Balance & Mobility,
Restorative & Yin Yoga, Silver Paddles
Pickleball & the Pine Pickleball League
ITEM NO. 4 –DEPARTMENT REPORT
( City of
Carlsbad
SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM
February –April 2023
•Transportation provided 684 rides
for lunch service, shopping, and
medical appointments
•We served 2,962 Congregate meals
•Staff and volunteers delivered
3,506 HMD meals
ITEM NO. 4 –DEPARTMENT REPORT
( City of
Carlsbad