With a great climate, outstanding medical facilities, a variety of housing options, and a wide range of recreational, cultural, fitness, and volunteer opportunities, it's no wonder that Escondido is a great place for retirees.

But don't take just our word for it. In the July 2001 issue of MONEY Magazine, a national publication, Escondido was chosen as the best place to retire in the West! After reviewing hundreds of cities, Escondido was selected because of its low property taxes, good home values, first-class cultural attractions, and access to good medical care, nearby universities, and airports.

Helpful Resources for Seniors

• Joslyn Senior Center
  210 Park Avenue
  Escondido, CA 92025
  Phone: (760) 839-4688
  Fax: (760) 745-5837

Office Hours

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Center Hours

Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. for Saturday Night Dance
Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for BINGO.

BINGO

Doors are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Public may start purchasing BINGO packs at 9 a.m.
Ticket and dauber sales begin at 10:30 a.m.
Sales of all BINGO packs, tickets and daubers end at 12 p.m.
BINGO starts promptly at 12:15 p.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m.

Nutrition Program Hours

Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in our dining room.

About the Senior Center

The Joslyn Senior Center began in 1958 as a small frame house. During the 1980's, many expansions were made, resulting in the current facility made up of four buildings and 25,000 square feet of usable space. Currently, approximately 70 organizations meet here. The older adults themselves run most of the programs at the center.

The Escondido Joslyn Senior Center is one of the largest and most well-equipped centers in the country. It houses pool tables, shuffleboard courts, craft and gift shops, card and chess rooms, a library, a large auditorium with a stage, a dining room and a TV lounge. Vegetable garden plots are also available. Exercise classes are held at the Center every Tuesday and Thursday morning. There are dances every Tuesday afternoon and Saturday evening. A large lobby and comfortable sofas facilitate friendly gatherings, and coffee is always available. Participants find these programs meet their social and recreational needs.

The Senior Service Council, Escondido (SSCE), organized in June 1972, serves the needs of seniors, low-income, disabled, and minorities. It is a non-profit corporation with no paid employees and charges no fee for its services or membership. SSCE is not "sponsored," subsidized, or financially supported by any organization or governmental agency, except for the Dorothy E. Boeger Building (DEBB) itself which is provided by the City of Escondido. Following are some of the services and programs provided by this group of volunteers:

• Health Insurance & Medicare Information
• Homeowner's & Renters Assistance
• Home Sharing Service
• Income Tax & Renters Credit Assistance
• Legal Aid, Wills, etc. Assistance
• Peer Counseling

• Older Adult Service and Information System (OASIS)
  (760) 432-0635
  
  
• Aging and Independence Services
  (619) 495-5885
  
  
• Medicare Information
  (760) 941-3212
  
  
• Social Security
  1-800-772-1213
  
  
• Special Library Services

For persons with cataracts or other vision limitations, be sure to take advantage of the Escondido Public Library's audio, video, and book collections which allows patrons with vision or hearing limitations to read large print books, view closed-captioned videos, or listen to books on tape. In addition, the Library has public computer work stations that have magnification capabilities. For more information, visit the Library's Web site at www.ci.escondido.ca.us/library. For persons interested in researching their family history, the Library's Pioneer Room has an extensive collection of genealogy materials and offers assistance in getting started.