2021Spring Semester JANUARY THROUGH APRIL - Watermark at San Ramon

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2021
  Spring Semester
    JANUARY THROUGH APRIL
Hello and thank you for your interest in Watermark University!

The foundation of Watermark University (WU) is to provide meaningful opportunities to
learn, teach and grow, resulting in a life of overall well-being. Research shows that
learning and keeping our mind active and sharp supports healthy aging.

At Watermark Retirement Communities® we are committed to encouraging our

residents and associates to lead balanced lives, full of meaning and purpose, grounded

in self-awareness and infused with curiosity. Our Watermark University courses help
achieve this goal.

By focusing on the Seven Dimensions of Well-being: Physical, Social, Intellectual,
Spiritual, Emotional, Environmental, and Vocational we offer the opportunity to achieve

a balanced life and we see the benefits across the country in every class, every day.

Sincerely,

Jamie Lee Sangalang
Jamie Lee Sangalang
Community Life Director
January Classes

        COURSES                      FACULTY                   DAY AND TIME                   LOCATION

  Self-Care DIYs: Winter
                                  Jamie Sangalang          January 4th • 10:30AM               Clubroom
  Whipped Body Butter
Treat yourself to some self-care beauty and body products. We can’t always have the luxury of visiting the
day spa but why not create the products ourselves and do it here! In this course we will learn about the
benefits of different products, how to use them, and how to make our very own! We will be making
products such as body scrubs, face masks, lip balms, and shower melts. Join us on January 4th to make
some Winter Whipped Body Butter!

    Birds of a Feather            Community Life            January 5th • 1:30PM               Clubroom

In honor of national bird day, learn all about ornithology- the scientific study of birds. In this course we will
Learn about our feathery friends’ biology, behavior, and habitats. What gives their feathers different
colors? Why can some birds mimic speech? Which bird can fly backwards? Find out in this egg-cellent
course!

  The Roaring Twenties            Community Life           January 7th • 10:30 AM              Clubroom

A lot can change over a period of 100 years. A hundred years ago from now was what we refer to as "The
Roaring 20's," a mark of a new era. The decade saw tremendous economic prosperity, the rise of the Jazz
Age, and the Women's Right to Vote among many cultural changes. Join us as we rediscover what made
the Twenties really Roar!

    Leisure Education             Jamie Sangalang          January 10th • 3:00PM               Clubroom

Community Life Director, Jamie is a certified Recreational Therapist. Leisure Education is part of the
foundation of her field. In this course, we will learn about the impact that recreation and leisure has on
our lives and why we should engage in it regularly. This course will cover different resources, strategies,
and solutions to increase our leisure participation. Come discover new leisure interests and rediscover past
ones! We will be utilizing a variety of modalities in this course such as games, crafts, and music. Life is
what you make it, so let’s make it fun!
January Classes

        COURSES                      FACULTY                  DAY AND TIME                   LOCATION

    Sense the World:
                                 Community Life           January 12th • 1:30PM               Clubroom
      San Francisco
Adventure and learning don't stop just because we live here at The Watermark at San Ramon. Travel
around the world with us in this Watermark University course! We will be exploring a new city or country
each month with a sensory kit including a slideshow, world music, flavors and more! See, smell, touch,
taste, and hear the world through a new lens! On January 12th we will be exploring one of the greatest
cities in the western hemisphere! Although it is close to home here, there will always be something else to
learn about San Francisco!

  Quadruple Threats-
 EGOT Winners: Richard           Community Life           January 14th • 10:30AM              Clubroom
       Rogers
EGOT is the acronym for Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards. The grand slam of show business! This
designation is given to people who have won all 4 of these prestigious awards. There are currently 15
people who have completed EGOTs. Learn about how some of these people became Quadruple Threats in
the midst of award season!

    I Have a Dream...            Community Life           January 18th • 1:30PM               Clubroom

Imagine yourself in Washington DC about the give the most memorable speech in history. What ideas and
hopes would you share in this speech for the future. Remember when Martin Luther King gave his famous
I had a dream speech. Join us on Martin Luther King Jr. Day when we will be writing our own dreams and
wishes for the future generations to come.

    In Good Taste: Say
                                    Jill Petrarca         January 19th • 1:30PM              Restaurant
         Cheese!
This comparative class will be a treat to our tastebuds! Each month, Dining Services Director, Jill will have a
season special tasting class. During the class, we will taste test different versions of similar foods and learn
the differences between them. This semester, look forward to a variety of delicious Cheeses, Chocolates,
and Pies!
January Classes

        COURSES                     FACULTY                  DAY AND TIME                   LOCATION

National Parks Road Trip:
                                 Community Life          January 21st • 10:30AM              Clubroom
  Glacier National Part

Over a hundred years ago, President Woodrow Wilson signed the act that created the National Park
Service. At that time, there were 35 National Parks involved. Now, the National Park Service cares for 391
separate sites encompassing 84 million acres of treasured American landscapes. In this course we will
explore the natural beauties of America from Olympic National Park in Washington, down to the Florida
Everglades! We may also feature guest speakers who have actually visited these amazing places and hear
about their experiences! There will also be opportunities to utilize our Oculus virtual reality technology to
feel like we are trekking through the actual mountains and valleys!

 7 Wonders: Chichen Itza         Community Life          January 26th • 1:30PM               Clubroom

Have you ever wondered about the 7 Wonders of the World? In the year 2000, the New7Wonders of the
World began a campaign to choose the New 7 Wonders of the World. From a selection of 200 existing
monuments, the New7Wonders were chosen and announced on July 7th, 2007. Join us as we take a visual
tour of these amazing sites and learn what makes them so wonderful. First, let's explore Chichen Itza, from
the Mayan civilization of Mexico!

       Edible Art:
                                  Gina De Sousa          January 27th • 10:30AM             Restaurant
   Chocolate Cupcakes
Have you ever seen those baking shows where they make the most artistic looking cakes?! And you think
to yourself, "wow, I could never do that," or maybe, "that looks like a piece of cake!" Well, in this course,
we will try our hand at it! Learn what it takes to be a baker on the Food Network and test your own skills.
The best part is that we can decorate our cakes, and eat it too! In honor of National Chocolate Cake day,
join us on January 27th to create some edible art!

      A Step in the
                                     Wellness            January 28th • 10:30AM              Clubroom
     Right Direction
Let's kick off 2021 with healthy habits! A person walks 65,000 miles in their lifetime – that's equivalent
to walking three times around the earth. Although it sometimes seems like a menial thing in life, we very
much may take it for granted. And for some, walking is already a great feat! In this course we will learn
more about the importance of walking and how it affects our overall health. We will also learn other easy
healthy habits to help us on our path to well-being.
February Classes

        COURSES                      FACULTY                  DAY AND TIME                   LOCATION

 Black History Highlights:
   Jim Crow Laws & The          Community Life &
                                                          February 3rd • 10:30AM              Clubroom
  Civil Rights Movement          Guest Speakers
           50-60s
African Americans are an integral part of the melting pot of America today. They have much influence on
popular culture, sports, cuisine, civil rights, and much more. In honor of February being Black History
Month we will be using this class to review some major black history highlights. In our first session, we will
look back at the Civil Rights Movement of the 50s and 60s.

  The History of Sports:
                                  Community Life          February 4th • 10:30AM              Clubroom
   The NFL Super Bowl
Since ancient times, sporting events have been an integral factor of society. Why do thousands of fans go
each week to watch their favorite sports teams play? Why do millions others spend time watching the
same teams on the television? Sports, sporting events, and fans are everywhere and they play an
interesting role in the development of our society. In this course we will review the history of different
sports and analyze their significance to society. Join us in this session, just in time for the 55th Super Bowl!

 Self-Care DIYs: Lip Scrub       Jamie Sangalang          February 8th • 1:30PM               Clubroom

Treat yourself to some self-care beauty and body products. We can’t always have the luxury of visiting the
day spa but why not create the products ourselves and do it here! In this course we will learn about the
benefits of different products, how to use them, and how to make our very own! We will be making
products such as body scrubs, face masks, lip balms, and shower melts. In this specific class, we will be
creating a luscious lip scrub!

In Good Taste: Life is Like
                                    Jill Petrarca          February 9th • 1:30PM             Restaurant
   a Box of Chocolates
This comparative class will be a treat to our tastebuds! Each month, Dining Services Director, Jill will have a
season special tasting class. During the class, we will taste test different versions of similar foods and learn
the differences between them. This semester, look forward to a variety of delicious Cheeses, Chocolates,
and Pies!
February Classes

        COURSES                    FACULTY                  DAY AND TIME                  LOCATION

Black History Highlights:      Community Life &
                                                       February 10th • 10:30AM            Clubroom
Culture Shock in the 80s        Guest Speakers
African Americans are an integral part of the melting pot of America today. They have much influence on
popular culture, sports, cuisine, civil rights, and much more. In honor of February being Black History
Month we will be using this class to review some major black history highlights. The 80s were a time when
Blacks were shocking popular culture! Let's take a look back!

     Chinese Zodiac             Community Life         February 12th • 10:30AM            Clubroom

In honor of the Lunar New Year, we will be learning about the Chinese Zodiac Signs. The Chinese
zodiac consists of twelve animals that first appeared in the Zhan Guo period [5th century B.C.]. No one
knows the exact date as of when the zodiac was essentially created, but they were officially identified
during the Han Dynasty [206 B.C.–9 A.D.], which was over 2000 years ago. In this class we will learn the
reasoning behind each sign, learn about our own signs, and compare the given characteristics!

  Fashion Through the
                                Community Life         February 15th • 1:30PM             Clubroom
        Decades

Do you have a passion for fashion? Fashion Through the Decades is a course all about the world of fashion
at different points in history. With Fashion Week landing this February, let's take a look at how specific
trends evolve and cycle through! Hopefully you kept your tweed suits, bell bottoms, and shoulder pads;
they've made a come back!

   Sense the World:
                                Community Life         February 16th • 1:30PM             Clubroom
 New Orleans, Louisiana
Adventure and learning don't stop just because we live here at The Watermark at San Ramon. Travel
around the world with us in this Watermark University course! We will be exploring a new city or country
each month with a sensory kit including a slideshow, world music, flavors and more! See, smell, touch,
taste, and hear the world through a new lens! In honor of Mardi Gras, join us as we sense the world of
NOLA!
February Classes

        COURSES                     FACULTY                  DAY AND TIME                  LOCATION

 Black History Highlights:
                                Community Life &
      Barack Obama                                      February 17th • 10:30AM             Clubroom
                                 Guest Speakers
   Defying History 2008

African Americans are an integral part of the melting pot of America today. They have much influence on
popular culture, sports, cuisine, civil rights, and much more. In honor of February being Black History
Month we will be using this class to review some major black history highlights. 2008 was a big year for
Black Americans; come to this class and learn more about our 44th President defying history!

 A Heart to Heart Health
                                    Wellness            February 18th • 10:30AM             Clubroom
          Chat
A healthy heart is central to overall well-being. Embracing a healthy lifestyle at any age can
prevent heart disease and lower your risk for a heart attack or stroke. As we age there may be changes in
our heart and blood vessels. To prevent heart disease it is important to eat a nutritious diet, exercise
frequently, check your blood pressure regularly, and manage your stress. In honor of National Heart
Health Month, we are holding a special health chat on heart health led by our nurse.

      State Symbols              Community Life          February 22nd • 1:30PM             Clubroom

For each of these great United States, there are many state symbols. Most states have a state flower, bird,
and emblem; but did you know some states have a special state shell, toy, gem, snack, locomotive, or even
tartan pattern? Find out more about California's state symbols on California Day, February 22nd. Look
forward to future courses on your home state's symbols!

 Black History Highlights:
                                Community Life &
    Black Lives Matter                                  February 24th • 10:30AM             Clubroom
                                 Guest Speakers
     Movement 2020
African Americans are an integral part of the melting pot of America today. They have much influence on
popular culture, sports, cuisine, civil rights, and much more. In honor of February being Black History
Month we will be using this class to review some major black history highlights. Everyone can agree that
2020 was a whirlwind of a year. In this class, we will check in with what this year meant for the Black Lives
Matter movement.
February Classes

        COURSES                      FACULTY                  DAY AND TIME                   LOCATION

   Quadruple Threats-
   EGOT Winners: Rita            Community Life          February 25th • 10:30AM             Clubroom
        Moreno
EGOT is the acronym for Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards. The grand slam of show business! This
designation is given to people who have won all 4 of these prestigious awards. There are currently 15
people who have completed EGOTs. Learn about how some of these people became Quadruple Threats in
the midst of award season! In 1975 Rita Moreno became the first hispanic EGOT winner and third EGOT
winner overall. In this session we will review her life and background, all of her works, and what she is
doing now!

                                               March Classes

        COURSES                      FACULTY                  DAY AND TIME                   LOCATION

  The History of Home            Roger De Sousa            March 1st • 10:30AM               Clubroom

Welcome to your new home, The Watermark at San Ramon. Whether you are brand new to the area or a
long-time local, there's no better way to get to know your city than an informational bus tour complete
with the city's representatives! The area itself has had a rich history from even before it officially took the
name San Ramon in 1873. Learn about the notable historic families, the important industries, and how
San Ramon became the city it is today. No longer a quiet outskirt of the Bay Area, San Ramon looks to the
future and values its past. This class will be coordinated with Bill Clarkson, Mayor of the City of San Ramon
and complemented with a tour of the town and a visit to the Museum of San Ramon Valley.

    Wonder Women:
                                 Women of SRS!              March 1st • 1:30PM               Clubroom
    Mother Theresa
Celebrate Women’s History Month! During the month of March we will highlight wonder women who
have gone above and beyond! From Mother Theresa, to Amelia Earhart, Coco Chanel to Florence
Nightingale, women around the world have shaped history in all different ways!
March Classes

        COURSES                     FACULTY                  DAY AND TIME                  LOCATION

 Chemistry Camp for the
                                 Community Life           March 2nd • 1:30PM                Clubroom
    Young at Heart
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make, the better.”
Chemistry involves everything in the world around us and even within us! In this course you will feel like
you're back at science camp! We will be studying the periodic table of elements, learning fun facts, and
trying our own hand at some chemical reaction experiments!

  Gardens of the World             Kelly Ording           March 4th • 10:30AM               Clubroom

Who doesn't love a stroll in the garden? Nothing says springtime like beautiful blooms! Historically,
gardens have served as the perfect place for contemplation, relaxation, and celebration! Explore famous
gardens such as Monet's Garden in Giverny and Brooklyn Botanic Garden with a visual tour! Stop and
smell the roses!

    Wonder Women:
                                 Women of SRS!             March 8th • 1:30PM               Clubroom
     Amelia Earhart
Celebrate Women’s History Month! During the month of March we will highlight wonder women who
have gone above and beyond! From Mother Theresa, to Amelia Earhart, Coco Chanel to Florence
Nightingale, women around the world have shaped history in all different ways!

Sense the World: Ireland         Community Life           March 11th • 1:30PM               Clubroom

Adventure and learning don't stop just because we live here at The Watermark at San Ramon. Travel
around the world with us in this Watermark University course! We will be exploring a new city or country
each month with a sensory kit including a slideshow, world music, flavors and more! See, smell, touch,
taste, and hear the world through a new lens! In honor of Saint Patrick's Day, let's take a trip to Ireland!

    Wonder Women:
                                 Women of SRS!            March 15th • 1:30PM               Clubroom
     Coco Chanel
Celebrate Women’s History Month! During the month of March we will highlight wonder women who
have gone above and beyond! From Mother Theresa, to Amelia Earhart, Coco Chanel to Florence
Nightingale, women around the world have shaped history in all different ways!
March Classes

        COURSES                      FACULTY                  DAY AND TIME                   LOCATION

      In Good Taste:
                                    Jill Petrarca          March 16th • 1:30PM               Restaurant
        Easy as Pie!

This comparative class will be a treat to our tastebuds! Each month, Dining Services Director, Jill will have a
season special tasting class. During the class, we will taste test different versions of similar foods and learn
the differences between them. This semester, look forward to a variety of delicious Cheeses, Chocolates,
and Pies!

                                    Wellness &
      Nutrition 101                                       March 18th • 10:30AM                Clubroom
                                  Dining Services
As we age, we must adapt to all of our bodies' changes. One thing to consider is our diet and nutritional
needs. The National Council on Aging recommends staying hydrated, knowing how to read nutrition fact
labels, and understanding the MyPlate tips for a well balanced diet. To learn more about nutrition for
seniors, attend this Nutrition 101 class with our nurse.

    Wonder Women:
                                  Women of SRS!            March 22nd • 1:30PM                Clubroom
  Florence Nightingale
Celebrate Women’s History Month! During the month of March we will highlight wonder women who
have gone above and beyond! From Mother Theresa, to Amelia Earhart, Coco Chanel to Florence
Nightingale, women around the world have shaped history in all different ways!

  7 Wonders: Taj Mahal           Community Life           March 24th • 10:30AM                Clubroom

Have you ever wondered about the 7 Wonders of the World? In the year 2000, the New7Wonders of the
World began a campaign to choose the New 7 Wonders of the World. From a selection of 200 existing
monuments, the New7Wonders were chosen and announced on July 7th, 2007. Join us as we take a visual
tour of these amazing sites and learn what makes them so wonderful.

  Springtime Traditions:
     Japanese Cherry             Community Life           March 25th • 10:30am                Clubroom
    Blossom Festival
Spring is often considered the most beautiful time of the year! The weather is warming up and the flowers
are blooming! All over the world, springtime is welcomed and celebrated with great fun! In this course, we
will learn more about various traditions, such as the White House Easter Egg Roll (USA), Holi (Northern
India), and Spring Equinox in Teotihuacán (Mexico).
March Classes

        COURSES                     FACULTY                  DAY AND TIME                   LOCATION

  Springtime Traditions:
                                 Community Life           March 29th • 10:30AM              Clubroom
           Holi
Spring is often considered the most beautiful time of the year! The weather is warming up and the flowers
are blooming! All over the world, springtime is welcomed and celebrated with great fun! In this course, we
will learn more about various traditions, such as the White House Easter Egg Roll (USA), Holi (Northern
India), and Spring Equinox in Teotihuacán (Mexico).

    Wonder Women:
                                 Women of SRS!            March 29th • 1:30PM               Clubroom
     Oprah Winfrey
Celebrate Women’s History Month! During the month of March we will highlight wonder women who
have gone above and beyond! From Mother Theresa, to Amelia Earhart, Coco Chanel to Florence
Nightingale, women around the world have shaped history in all different ways!

   Quadruple Threats-
    EGOT Winners:                Community Life           March 30th • 10:30AM              Clubroom
      Mel Brooks
EGOT is the acronym for Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards. The grand slam of show business! This
designation is given to people who have won all 4 of these prestigious awards. There are currently 15
people who have completed EGOTs. Learn about how some of these people became Quadruple Threats in
the midst of award season!

                                               April Classes

        COURSES                     FACULTY                  DAY AND TIME                   LOCATION

National Parks Road Trip:
   The Great Smokey              Community Life            April 1st • 10:30AM              Clubroom
      Mountains
Over a hundred years ago, President Woodrow Wilson signed the act that created the National Park
Service. At that time, there were 35 National Parks involved. Now, the National Park Service cares for 391
separate sites encompassing 84 million acres of treasured American landscapes. In this course we will
explore the natural beauties of America from Olympic National Park in Washington, down to the Florida
Everglades! We may also feature guest speakers who have actually visited these amazing places and hear
about their experiences! There will also be opportunities to utilize our Oculus virtual reality technology to
feel like we are trekking through the actual mountains and valleys!
April Classes

        COURSES                     FACULTY                  DAY AND TIME                   LOCATION

  The History of Sports:
                                 Community Life             April 5th • 1:30PM              Clubroom
      Golf Masters
Since ancient times, sporting events have been an integral factor of society. Why do thousands of fans go
each week to watch their favorite sports teams play? Why do millions others spend time watching the
same teams on the television? Sports, sporting events, and fans are everywhere and they play an
interesting role in the development of our society. In this course we will review the history of different
sports and analyze their significance to society.

  Springtime Traditions:
       White House               Community Life            April 8th • 10:30am              Clubroom
      Easter Egg Roll
Spring is often considered the most beautiful time of the year! The weather is warming up and the flowers
are blooming! All over the world, springtime is welcomed and celebrated with great fun! In this course, we
will learn more about various traditions, such as the White House Easter Egg Roll (USA), Holi (Northern
India), and Spring Equinox in Teotihuacán (Mexico).

   Quadruple Threats-
    EGOT Winners:                Community Life           April 13th • 10:30AM              Clubroom
    Audrey Hepburn
EGOT is the acronym for Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards. The grand slam of show business! This
designation is given to people who have won all 4 of these prestigious awards. There are currently 15
people who have completed EGOTs. Learn about how some of these people became Quadruple Threats in
the midst of award season!

       The Art of
                                 Community Life           April 14th • 10:30AM              Clubroom
    Flower Arranging
Flower arrangements are the perfect way to freshen up your space and add a pop of color to the room.
Arranging flowers has been a popular activity, but this course will take the activity to the next level! We
will learn about specific seasonal flowers and plants, along with the different principles of flower arranging
in regards to shape, color, height and balance to create beautiful harmonious arrangements. We will be
displaying our botanical creations around the community for all to appreciate.
April Classes

        COURSES                     FACULTY                  DAY AND TIME                  LOCATION

   Stress Management                Wellness              April 15th • 1:30PM               Clubroom

April is Stress Awareness Month! It is important to recognize and address life's stressors in a healthy way.
In this stress management health chat, learn exercises and approaches to decrease your stress so you can
THRIVE in other aspects of your life.

                                                           April 18th • 3:00PM
   Meet the Neighbors         YOU - The Residents!                                          Clubroom
                                                          April 19th • 10:30AM
Although we now all call the Watermark at San Ramon, we all came from very different backgrounds. Have
the opportunity to share your story with your neighbors during this special Watermark University course.
You may have more in common than you know! If you are interested in presenting about yourself, please
contact Community Life Director, Jamie to assist you.

 World Heritage Day Fair         Community Life            April 19th • 1:30PM              Clubroom

World Heritage Day is celebrated every year on April 18th. The tradition started in 1982 and organized by
ICOMOS in Tunisia. It was originally created for The International Day for Monuments and Sites. A year
later it was also approved as World Heritage Day. This year, The Watermark at San Ramon will be
celebrating by having an international potluck! Come and enjoy dishes from all over the world - Portugal,
Italy, China, Germany, the Philippines, and of course, America!

  Meet the Associates            All Associates           April 21st • 10:30AM              Clubroom

Each and every staff member at Watermark is responsible for creating our extraordinary community
where we can all thrive! In this course, we will highlight what each associate does from Med-Tech to HR,
Maintenance to Naya. Get to know who they are personally and the ins and outs of what they do here at
The Watermark at San Ramon!

 The Science of Weather          Community Life           April 22nd • 10:30AM              Clubroom

Often a topic of small talk, weather is an integral part of everyone's daily life. Think about how it affects
the world around us, from our personal plans to natural disasters! In this course we will take a look at how
weather works, the history of meteorology, and what the future looks like with climate change! Learn
what makes us have Stormy Weather!
April Classes

        COURSES                     FACULTY                  DAY AND TIME                  LOCATION

 From Trash to Treasure          Community Life            April 22nd • 1:30PM              Clubroom

According to the World Watch Institute, in less than 15 years, worldwide waste is expected to double. As
time goes on, we know that we must really take better care of our environment. Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!
Recycling is the process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects. In this course, we
will be taking natural, recycled, materials and giving them new life and new purpose! As they say, one
man's trash is another man's treasure!

     Aromatherapy                Community Life            April 26th • 1:30PM              Clubroom

Aromatherapy is a holistic therapy which utilizes natural plant extracts. During each session, we will learn
about different essential oils and what they can do to promote health and well-being. For example,
lavender is commonly used to to promote relaxation by helping with insomnia, anxiety, and restlessness.
We will also be using essential oils to create different products such as reed diffusers, potpourri, or room
sprays to take home with us.

   Quadruple Threats-
 EGOT Winners: Whoopi            Community Life           April 29th • 10:30AM              Clubroom
       Goldberg
EGOT is the acronym for Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards. The grand slam of show business! This
designation is given to people who have won all 4 of these prestigious awards. There are currently 15
people who have completed EGOTs. Learn about how some of these people became Quadruple Threats in
the midst of award season!
Faculty Biographies
              NAME OF INSTRUCTOR                                          CLASS NAME

                   Brittney Lucas                                     Meet the Associates!

Brittany is our wonderful Business Office and Human Resources Director. She is a Bay Area native, born
and raised in the East Bay. She has a background in accounting, human resources, and office management
in multiple sectors including senior living. Brittany enjoys spending her free time hiking, snowboarding,
reading, and crafting. However, her favorite thing is being a mother and spending time with her family and
friends. Her goal is to help create a thriving, innovative, and fun experience for all the residents and
associates in the community. She is so excited to be a part of the Watermark at San Ramon, and to
welcome all of its new families.

                    Gary Christo                                      Meet the Associates!

Gary Christo has been with the Watermark company for 10 years as the Environmental Service Director.
He is a San Francisco native. Gary has a background in metals, plastics, construction, production material
management and engineering industry. He knows all the ins and outs of our community building in
regards the safety, maintenance, risk management, environment, and housekeeping. Gary is a connoisseur
at many things and holds a wealth of knowledge that he is excited to share with us at the Watermark at
San Ramon. Whether it be Martial Arts or Culinary Arts, Gary can do it all! He also enjoys singing and
putting on a great show with his wife, Joy. Gary also is a proud parent to his daughter and son, a new
grandparent, and a dog parent to his three adorable dogs!

                   Gina De Sousa                                 Edible Art, Meet the Associates!

Gina was born in the Azores on the Island of Faial. She came to the US as a young child. She was raised in
Livermore where she went to school and later married her High School Sweetheart. She is a proud mother
of three grown children who are her pride and joy. Cooking and Baking are some of her favorite pastimes.
Gina has worked in customer service and the hospitably arena all her working life. Gina owned her
own business along with working at Wente Vineyards in restaurant and catering, where she worked
Specials Events, Concerts and Business Conferences. She had the opportunity to be part of opening two
Restaurants and two Café Bakeries. She has a passion for fine dining service and is looking forward to
being part the Watermark Community at San Ramon.
NAME OF INSTRUCTOR                                           CLASS NAME

                  Jamie Sangalang                           Leisure Education, Self-Care DIYs, and more!

Jamie Sangalang is thrilled to be spearheading Watermark University as San Ramon’s Community Life
Director. She is Bay Area born, but was raised in Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia. She graduated
from Temple University with a Bachelors of Science in Therapeutic Recreation and a minor in Clinical and
Health Psychology. After college she worked as the Community Life Associate at the Watermark location
called Blue Bell Place in Pennsylvania and is proud to have been part of the Watermark family since 2018.
She has recently moved to the Bay Area to join our team at San Ramon. In her free time she enjoys
spending time with her family, doing arts and crafts, and traveling. Jamie is excited to lead Watermark
University courses here at the Watermark at San Ramon.

                     Jill Petrarca                              In Good Taste, Meet the Associates!

Jill Petrarca is delighted to join the team within Watermark University serving the educational component
in the area of Culinary Arts. Hailing from New England, then Southern California and Hawaii, and now
happily back in Northern California, Jill’s entire career has been focused on the Hospitality Industry. A
trained chef, she will serve as Dining Services Director for Watermark San Ramon and introduce residents
to cooking classes, as well as comparative food tastings, and the history of food. In her spare time, Jill
enjoys travel and dining as well as spending time with her family, especially her Granddaughter Serafina
and her dog Ozzie.

                    Kelly Ording                                       Gardens of the World

Kelly has worked at Watermark for 9 years and feels lucky to be able to do what she loves every day.
When she is not working, she loves spending time with family, especially her Grandson, gardening and
enjoying all that living in Northern California has to offer!

                   Roger De Sousa                              History of Home, Meet the Associates!

Roger De Sousa was born and raised in Livermore, where he met and married his high school sweetheart
and raised three of the most amazing kids. For twenty five years, Roger worked beside his father in their
family business. Their business was known for its commitment to serving their customers with care. After
selling the family business, Roger enjoyed working as a professional chauffeur and trainer for ten years.
While driving everything from a town car to a motor coach, he had the pleasure of meeting and serving
dignitaries and VIPs from all over the world. He is certified with the CHP and the DMV. As the
Transportation Coordinator for Watermark, he looks forward to helping our residents build community
and enjoy the natural and cultural resources of the Bay Area.
ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE
12720 Alcosta Blvd • San Ramon, CA 94583 • 925-725-1485 • watermarkcommunities.com
                                                                               RCFE LICENSE #079200962
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