Community Response Team by Poko Giacomini, West Marin CRT; Allison Nygaard, Public Health Program Mnager; April Mancilla; Senior Program Coordinator What to Know in 2026: Medi-Cal Changes, Flu Season, and Immunization Guidance As we move into 2026, there are a few important health updates for individuals and families in West Marin to be aware of. Changes to Medi-Cal eligibility, the ongoing flu season, and routine immunizations all play a role in staying healthy and covered. A little preparation now can help prevent gaps in care later. Medi-Cal Changes in 2026: Steps to Stay Covered Medi-Cal changes in 2026 may affect some adult immigrants. If you or a family member has Medi-Cal, taking a few steps now can help you stay covered. Affect- ed members will receive notices by mail, text, or email, so be sure your Medi-Cal contact information is up to date. Watch for renewal packets and respond quick- ly. Know your renewal date and keep your medical appointments. If you have questions, reach out for help. Learn more: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/Medi-Cal/ Pages/changes.aspx Influenza Update: Vaccinate, Test, and Administer Influenza Antivirals Influenza activity is increasing across California, with rising flu-related hospital- izations. Most current cases are influenza A (H3N2) and are linked to a newly circulating strain. Marin County Public Health recommends that everyone who is eligible get a flu vaccine, which remains the best way to prevent severe illness. Flu vaccines are widely available at most local pharmacies or through your healthcare provider. People with flu symptoms should stay home, avoid close contact with others, and seek testing and treatment as recommended by a healthcare provider. Early treat- ment is especially important for older adults, young children, pregnant people, and those with underlying health conditions. Getting vaccinated and staying home when sick helps protect our community— especially those who face barriers to healthcare access. Policy Changes Don’t Change the Science Marin County Public Health remains guided by evidence, transparency, and a commitment to protecting our community. Recent federal changes to the child- hood immunization schedule warrant thoughtful discussion. Vaccines continue to be safe, effective, and one of the most successful public health tools we have. Clear, consistent recommendations help families and clinicians make informed decisions and support high levels of community protection. When guidance becomes less clear, there is a risk of confusion and lower vaccination rates, which can lead to preventable disease outbreaks. Our approach remains steady: follow the data, rely on expert consensus, and communicate clearly to support the health of all residents. Find materials and information to help answer vaccine questions and concerns on Marin County Public Health’s Vaccine Resources page: https://www.marin- hhs.org/vaccine-resources Kathleen returned to Southern California, where she immersed herself in the crafts and folk music scene and embraced Buddhism—beginning a lifelong path of cre- ativity and spiritual exploration that later included time in Hawaii and the cultural vibrancy of the Bay Area in the late 1960s. A pivotal friendship with philosopher Alan Watts deepened her Buddhist practice and introduced her to the Japanese Tea Ceremony, which she practiced and shared for the rest of her life. In 1975, she married David Glaubinger, beginning a lov- ing partnership that spanned fifty years. After communal living in Marin County, the couple settled in Lagunitas in 1979. Kathleen was an exceptional chef, briefly working as a pastry chef at a new California cuisine restaurant where her desserts earned special praise, and she brought beauty, warmth, and hospitality into every home she created. Following the devastating 1982 floods in the San Geronimo Valley, Kathleen and David began volunteering—an experience that led to three decades of service with the American Red Cross. Kathleen became a disaster caseworker, helping individuals and families recover from crises locally and across the country, includ- ing deployments to New Orleans, Guerneville, and the Oakland Hills fire. Later known affectionately as the “Soup Lady” for her food bank contributions, she con- tinued serving others until declining health led to her passing on December 9. She is survived by her husband David, her son Michael, granddaughter Marissa, three great-grandchildren, three brothers, and her lifelong friend Wendy. Also, Wendy Gail Schneider and Cathy Van Peursem passed away in February. Further writings will be included in a future issue.
Food Bank Banter by Nicole Ramirez, Director of Programs
Making the Most of Food Bank Foods
At the San Geronimo Valley Community Center Food Bank, we are stocked with an amazing variety of fresh, nutritious seasonal produce provided by the SF/Marin Food Bank, Extra Food, and local farms/providers. And while we love offering abundance, sometimes seasonal abundance looks like a lot of potatoes, yams, cab- bage, onions, and turnips.
Each week, alongside produce, families also receive shelf-stable items, refrigerated foods, and ready-to-eat meals—things like beans, rice, pasta, lentils, cereal, milk or milk alternatives, yogurt, bread, and bagels. These staples may seem simple, but they’re the building blocks of healthy, satisfying meals. With a little creativity, they can go a long way—reducing food waste and helping households stretch ingredi- ents into something special.
Last week, our Community Resource Coordinator, Poko Giacomini, turned an overabundance of sweet potatoes into a beau- tiful curry sweet potato soup using only spic- es as extras. That delicious moment sparked an idea: sharing monthly recipes inspired by the foods we distribute via our newsletter and social media channels. With help from staff and community mem- bers, we’re excited to start offering simple, tasty recipes using Food Bank ingredients— because making the most of these resources isn’t just about getting by. It’s about eating well, cooking with confidence, and enjoying food with dignity.
Have a great recipe for yams, turnips, or cabbage? Send it to nramirez@sgvcc. org—we’d love to share it! To make sure you don’t miss these awesome recipes, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on instagram and facebook.
With Respect
Elizabeth “Bets” Ayers: December 4, 1950 to January 17, 2026
Bets moved to the valley in October 1973. Wanting to be involved in community, she joined the board of directors of the Community Center. When her son Dayna went to the open classroom, she would volunteer to work with his teachers. After 15 years of running Marty’s Parties Catering and then 11 years of being the man- ager at the Marin Art and Garden Center, she was diagnosed in September 2007 with progressive MS. After leaving Marin Art and Garden, she decided to again volunteer at the Community Center. She was the greeter at the door every week at the senior lunch on her red gogo scooter. She knew everyone’s name and looked forward to seeing her friends. She was a beautiful, smart, and funny woman. For her, the glass was always half full.
Kathleen Glaubinger
Kathleen Glaubinger (born Mary Kathleen Pipkin on October 25, 1944, in Los Angeles, California) spent her early years in Newhall before moving with her fam- ily to Moab, Utah. A graduate of Monticello High School in 1962, she formed a lifelong friendship with Wendy Dalton through Girl Scouts. After a brief time in college and a short-lived marriage in Fresno that brought her son, Michael,
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