New social group forming for ‘40-somethings’

New social group forming
for ‘40-somethings’
Singles in their 40s shouldn’t
be left out in the cold
By Lori E. Porter
porter@theacorn.com

It’s not a support group for recovering divorcees and it’s certainly not a dating service. But a new social group in Agoura Hills called the "Fabulous Forties" is forming—and it could lead to a date and lend support for those going through a divorce.

It’s meant to be a place to meet other singles in their 40s. Diversity is the key. Members can be just friends or moviegoers or tennis opponents or partners.

The creator of the group is a woman who prefers anonymity. Although men and women might find a match in the group, she’s hoping to arrange events (such as a girls’ night out or a men’s poker night) in addition to social events that include both sexes.

During the process of getting divorced, she realized that her married friends preferred to socialize with other married couples. Singles were left out in the cold. Although she considered a wider age range, she concluded that 30-year-olds don’t want to hang out with 50-year-olds. She settled on 40-somethings. According to online dating services, 40-year-olds are the hardest to match.

Calabasas resident Robin Hornreich, 45, said she’s "been there and done that" regarding the singles scene.

"It’s not as fun as when I was in my 20s. I don’t have the energy for Boogie Nights at The Canyon and I don’t want to see the valet guy at Padri’s one more time," she said (while laughing).

Three years ago, Hornreich joined an online dating service for Jewish singles called Jdate. She was searching for her Mr. Right. "Jdate is great because it allows for the opportunity to meet people you would have otherwise never met," Hornreich said. "But the anonymity is its downside."

Unlike the bar scene, there’s no initial mutual connection when searching for a date on the Internet. With responsibilities like full-time jobs and children, sometimes making a connection (or what Jdaters call "the first date") can take weeks––and sometimes it never materializes.

But if you’re one of those singles in your 40s just looking to meet others about the same age, the "Fabulous Forties" might be a place to start.

The first meeting will be 7 p.m. Tues., April 27 at the Virtual World Café. It’s in the Vons shopping center on Kanan Road in Agoura Hills. For more information, call (818) 597-2624.