Ann Shaw, Pres of Peninsula Seniors, has been a Member of its Board since 1999. She was a member of the Rancho Palos Verdes incorporation steering committee 1968-1973, and was an RPV Council Member 1977-1983, serving as Mayor 1979-1980. She is affiliated with the League of Women Voters, American Association of University Women, and was a TaxAide coordinator for AARP. She worked on cryptanalysis and computer programming for the National Security Agency 1957-1960, and then worked in private industry until becoming a self-employed Certified Financial Planner in 1994.
 
 
35 years ago there were no services for seniors in Palos Verdes. In 1978, the local League of Women Voters had an ill member who needed help which was not available. After circulating a questionnaire on needs to PV Peninsula residents over age 60, this nonprofit Peninsula Seniors organization was started with a desk at the local American Savings; after multiple moves, it is now in a trailer at the RPV Civic Center, with a new larger facility being planned.
 
Seniors need to stay active mentally, physically and socially. Peninsula Seniors has 1.25 paid employees and a Board of Directors. Single membership starts at $45 per year for activities and newsletter. Funds come from grants, minor fundraisers and modest activity fees. Activities include a monthly Friday night movie with popcorn, classes for yoga, balance and muscle strengthening, Ping-Pong, day trips, a monthly restaurant meal, a writer’s group, and Hesse Park lectures. (Our member Angi Ma Wong presented a well-received talk there on August 20 on “How to Write a Book”.) Any kind of group can be formed if someone volunteers to lead it. Brief consultations are available with a geriatric care specialist, podiatrist, attorney, and financial planner. Originally, most members were women, but now, with 1000 members, there are more men.
 
Needing more facility space, they looked for a permanent location in the Peninsula Center area, and a good fiscal foundation to provide for their growing needs and increasing membership. Richard Lundquist, a local shopping center owner, is helping them to lease and eventually buy ½ of a building in “The Villages” at 627 Silver Spur Rd in Rolling Hills Estates. They have raised $456,000 out of $2 million needed. She presented a floor plan of the 5000 ft² space, which will have offices, lobby, conference room, kitchen, and exercise and game rooms. The senior population on the Peninsula is now about 30% of the population, but none of the cities in Palos Verdes has a senior services department, so these services are greatly needed in our community.