Jon Hammond - San Francisco CA ---
Move Day Laguna Honda Hospital Historic Event Day 1 of 2, Volunteers and Staff Perfectly
Coordinated under the direction of William G. Frazier Director of Therapeutic Activities and
Laurie Agrillo Clinical Nurse Specialist Move Day Volunteer Coordinator:
Moran Hall - Briefing by William Frazier *note: Volunteers in Purple Shirts, Staff wearing Green
Safety Briefing by Bill Frazier before transporting Residents along move route in groups of 7,
3 residents, 1 nursing assistant, 1 staff transporter and 2 volunteer transporters. Trained staff
stationed along the transport route to assist:
Special thanks box lunches for staff & volunteers provided by Boudin Bakery
Moving down the connecting corridor connecting the old building to the new
"The move was coordinated like a precision military invasion." said Volunteer and long-time
Laguna Honda Musician Jon Hammond
Random shots first look at the new building
Where the old building meets the new building
The New Laguna Honda
December 7, 2010
We will miss the old building is a big improvement. As William Frazier put it, it has evolved from
Wards to Units and now finally to Neighborhoods.
From Wikipedia:
"The central building is the Pavilion, which will be the site of the Rehabilitation Center and the hospital’s acute care services. Sixty people receiving short term care will live in the Pavilion. Two new residence buildings to the north and south of the Pavilion will house 720 residents in households of 15 people each. Every household will have its own living room and dining room. Each floor in the residence buildings will function as a neighborhood of four households, or 60 people, participating in one of the specialized skilled nursing programs:
Memory Care, for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias; Enhanced Support, for people living with the effects of stroke, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis or other degenerative diseases, and other complex or chronic conditions; Integrated Wellness, for people with behavioral support needs; Positive Care, for people with HIV/AIDS; Chinese and Spanish Language Communities, for monolingual speakers.
Neighborhoods are organized around a central Great Room where daily activities will take place.
Most residents will live in suites of two or three single rooms with a shared bathroom. Some residents will share a room with one or two other people. There are also some single rooms with private baths. Every room will have operable windows overlooking the 62-acre (250,000 m2) campus."
Jon Hammond (has played 13 years at Laguna Honda) is one of the musicians who plays regularly for the
residents from Local 6 Musicians Union, seen here on 6th floor of the original building
The effect of the music is amazingly therapeutic says Jon Hammond,
"I have often seen people get out of their wheelchairs and dance"
Special Thanks Maria Kozak Secretary/Musician Local 6 Musicians Union,
Laguna Honda set to take over new space in first-of-its-kind move
Read more at the San Francisco Examiner: http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/2010/12/laguna-honda-set-take-over-new-space-first-its-kind-move#ixzz17UrteAns
From "The Insider" in-house newspaper
A Musical Performer in the Spotlight: JON HAMMOND by Paul A. Hendrickson F3
A Musical Performer in the Spotlight: JON HAMMOND by Paul A. Hendrickson F3
One of the Musical Performers we get here at Laguna Honda is Jon Hammond. He has been playing here for quite a long time. He would mention in passing, between songs, some celebrities that are household names. It was done in such a way that it sounded as if he had met some of these people. Come to find out, he had.
After I got to talking to Jon, I realized that the polish he brings to his jazz piano and to Laguna Honda is no fluke. Jon resides mostly in New York City. He has a place in Times Square. In his neighborhood alone he met Paul Newman, Joanne woodward, and Al Pacino. He also has a Cable Access show there. On his Show he has interviewed people who he has found interesting. His favorite was Lionel Hampton, the reknowned vibe player. “At 80 years old, he was full of energy.”
Another he enjoyed had been Cab Calloway. This was after his re-emergence from the “Blues Brothers” movie. He mentions as one of his non-musician guests to be none other than Andy Warhol. It seems that Andy was interested in the computer Graphics and Artwork that jon and his crew used on the Show.
Though he plays a “jazz organ” on his CD’s and with his Band, Jon has been banging on the piano from about age six. When the Beatles came on the scene in ‘64, Jon with most others his age, decided to become a “Rock” star. He tried his hand at this. He had some groups ranging in name from “Hades” to “Contraband”. He becomes thoughtful at this moment. “‘Contraband’ was a pretty good band.” At age thirteen he got his first electric-accordion.
Jon has a small collection of accordions - mostly electric. He has inked a deal with Excelsior, and plays their accordions exclusively. He also notes that eBay the computer sales website is a good source if you know what you’re looking for. Jon mentions that he will be playing accordion for Broadway’s own “Fiddler on The Roof.” “Whenver I learn the book.” He says it is about as thick as a telephone book.
His latest group is made up of the “Late Rent Session Men”. As the name implies, whenever Jon is a little short and behind on his Rent, his landlord takes some music in trade.
Jon plays every month at Laguna Honda. Look for the fliers and catch his show. I asked him why someone who trots the globe makes such frequent stops at Laguna Honda Hospital. He says, “Well, my Father was a Physician. My Grandfather was a Physician. I’m a Musician. I like to see the people smile.” Jon does his “therapy” in another way. He hopes to be one of the first performers when they build the “New Hospital.” Happy New Year.
*Note: Special thanks, Paul A. Hendrickson, Jon
