Events for May 1 - Jul 7

Before I Die festivals are part of a growing social movement to foster reflection about mortality. These festivals have drawn thousands to events in Cardiff, Wales (UK), York (UK), Indianapolis, IN, and Louisville, KY. Before I Die New Mexico was the first such festival in the United States west of the Mississippi. The fifth annual Before I Die New Mexico Festival will include online and in-person events, depending on pandemic conditions. Events for 2021 will be scheduled from October 30 (Create a Great Funeral Day) to November 2 (All Souls Day). As in years past, the Before I Die New Mexico Festival will include panel discussions and speakers related to end-of-life issues, Death Cafe discussions, and much more. Althea Halchuck will make a presentation on FEN's surrogate consulting service and manage an exhibit booth featuring FEN's mission and services.

The Cathedral City Senior Center offers a variety of free and low cost programs for their members every week. The center emphasizes mental and physical health and wellness through exercise classes, card games, support groups, creative arts, and more. They also offer one-on-one appointments with a variety of social service agencies including Senior Advocates and a free women’s hair salon. This will be a live event. Proof of Covid-19 vaccination and a mask will be required.

Attend the third annual virtual expo where you can have one-on-one conversations with experts in the dying and death community. Get your paperwork in order, plan a death ceremony, and find emotional support all in one event. Access to this three-day event is FREE! Beautiful Dying Expo's mission is to expand awareness and encourage meaningful conversation, demystifying the process of dying and death by bringing industry experts together to share current tools, new ideas and resources with the public. FEN is a sponsor of this event and will have a virtual booth.

The mission of Knowledgeable Aging (KA) is to provide webinars, blogs, podcasts and a newsletter with a unique perspective or unique point of view on a particular topic or set of topics in some direct way associated with the aging process. On November 17, FEN's surrogate consultant will participate in a Knowledgeable Aging webinar. Althea will be discussing strategies for conflict resolution in clinical settings. Be sure to tune in!

The Mountain Vista Unitarian Universalist Congregation believes in the inherent worth and dignity of every person. Their ministries fall within three spheres -- Spiritual Path, Fellowship, and Justice Outreach -- which bring enrichment and balance to their work within their community and beyond their walls. Spiritual Path -- to gather together in spiritual community to be reminded of what matters most in life. Fellowship -- through informal gatherings of shared interests, they encourage one another. Justice Outreach -- they work for justice in a variety of community, state, and national endeavors. This will be a Zoom event.

The Village to Village (VtV) Network is a membership-based organization that brings Villages together to share best practices for enabling older adults to live independent, healthy, purposeful lives with connections to their communities. The Network provides expert guidance, resources and support to help communities establish and maintain thriving Villages, and we champion the Village model at state and national levels as a best practice for healthy, vibrant aging. All Village to Village Network Members are invited to join us for an online interactive presentation on how to have a “Good Death” on your own terms. Learn about the preparation, plans and resources you will need to ensure that you and your loved ones have the best chance of making that happen. We will use this call to unpack this inevitable end-of-life challenge. Please come with your questions and we will try to address as much as we can in the hour we have. Our presenter is Robert Rivas, attorney for Final Exit Network (FEN). He has dedicated his professional life to advocacy for the right to death with dignity. He is the author of the Supplemental Advance Directive for Dementia Care (SADD), a new resource for people facing dementia at [...]

St. Louis Village is a not-for-profit community network that helps people age 50 and older stay in their own homes with 24/7 phone/Internet access to a full range of activities and support services. STL Village has created an extraordinary community of neighbors helping neighbors. Older adults have an opportunity to maintain independence, thrive in homes they love and lead active lives. Members have the security of knowing that if help is needed, an extensive network of trusted resources is just a phone call away.

Fountaingrove Lodge is the nation’s first lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT), and Friends focused independent senior community with the option of continuing care services. A preeminent LGBT retirement community in beautiful Sonoma County, set adjacent the acclaimed Fountain Grove Country Club and golf course. Wonderfully appointed, tiered services from independent through assisted living and memory care put this above many traditional options for specialized senior living at its finest.

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Rock Tavern (UUCRT), New York, is a liberal religious community where members and friends gather to support each other in our spiritual journeys and to give service to the wider world of which they are a part. Unitarian Universalism is a liberal, non-creedal religion with seven Principles that guide the lives of Unitarian Universalists. As a UUA-certified Welcoming Congregation, the UUCRT publicly welcomes lesbian, gay, and transgender people and honors their contributions to their community and to society.

Listen to our expert panel on important considerations for you, your family and your money as we progress in age. You will hear from a CPA, Financial Advisor, End-of-Life Advocate, Estate Attorney and more who will provide great tips and advice for all.

This is a private Zoom event.

SLO Village is a vibrant community working together to create a better experience of aging. We are a membership organization focused on empowering older adults to continue living successfully in their own homes and communities as they age. Our members are encouraged to participate in social events and activities. We also provide access to vetted volunteers who help with transportation, technology, and handyman services to make living in place easier and more enjoyable. FEN’s surrogate consultant, Althea Halchuck, will be presenting information on effective surrogacy and advance directives.