Travels With George: Iberia and Viking SagaThursday, Dec. 5, 1:30-4 p.m. Join us on a travelogue with host George Jabol as we embark on a cruise along the Atlantic shores of Europe. The trip begins with three nights of sightseeing in and near London, including stops at The National Gallery and Windsor Castle. We then board the Ryndam, a Holland America cruise ship, which takes us to Normandy and the quaint French city of Bayeux, where we'll see the Bayeux Tapestry and the Bayeux Cathedral. At Santiago de Compostela in Spain we view the medieval buildings and the city's cathedral. Then it's off to see tiny Gibraltar and its resident monkeys. At Cadiz in Spain we visit the city and the nearby winery in Jerez. A highlight of the cruise is time spent in Lisbon, Portugal, including visits to Jeronimos Monastery and the Maritime Museum, the Belem Tower, and the Discoveries Monument. The city of Ghent in Belgium turns out to be an unexpected and beautiful surprise. Back in southeastern England, we'll go on an excursion to Constable Country, to visit locations where John Constable painted landscapes. The cruise then continues to Oslo, Norway, and to scenic ports in the Norwegian fjords. Come be with us on this unforgettable tour of scenic and historic places in Europe. Open to all ages 18+. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Contact 734.794.6250 or [email protected]. Free of charge.
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December Drive-Through: Cocoa ComfortWednesday, Dec. 11, noon-1 p.m. Join Visiting Angels for this fun, and cozy event! Enjoy snacks, socialize indoors, and pick up information. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Contact 734.794.6250. Free for members; $5 nonmembers.
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Lunch & Learn
Join us every Wednesday for a new hands-on learning experience! Workshops provide an opportunity for members to learn from specialists in our community. Each week we invite a different local organization to come and share a presentation about their expertise and new ways to become involved in the community. A light lunch will be provided. Preregistration required by calling 734.794.625. Free of charge.
Lunch and Learn: Lively Living
Wednesday, December 4, noon-1 p.m. “Lively Living," is a fun interactive event that is focused on the realities and myths of aging. Join Interim Health for the opportunity to discuss the factors of aging, the changes that come with it and the best way to approach aging and live an active, healthy life. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Space is limited. Preregistration required. Free of charge.
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Lunch and Learn: Home Safety Bingo
Wednesday, December 18, noon-1 p.m. Atlas Home Safety, a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS), is pleased to offer a free educational seminar titled Aging in Place: Preparing Your Home for Senior Living. This informative session will cover: Common causes of slips, accidents, and injuries, particularly in bathrooms; Modifications that can significantly reduce these risks and the associated healthcare costs; An engaging interactive game with small prizes to reinforce key takeaways. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Space is limited. Preregistration required. Free of charge.
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Monthly Senior Support Programs
Senior Support Consultations
Wednesday, Dec. 11, 9:30-10:30 a.m. or 10:30-11:30 a.m. A Care Manager is a senior resources expert that can assist clients with: Discharging from the hospital, starting, or stabilizing caregiving structure in the home, remaining independent at home, choosing, and preparing to move to a senior community, creating medical stability or a new diagnosis roadmap, and support, education, and future planning. Together with Care Management by Natalie we can help find your right path through the aging process. Click
here to learn more. Sign up for a free 1-hour initial consultation, free of charge. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin. Preregistration required. Call 734.794.6250.
Weekly Activities
Bluegrass Jam
Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m. (every second and fourth Wednesday). The A2 Bluegrass participants, from expert to novice, come from all over southeast Michigan to have fun with bluegrass jamming and singing. We draw a wide variety of musical Instruments including banjos, fiddles, standup and electronic bass, percussion, washboard, dobro, mandolin and the occasional harmonica. Open to all ages. Visit the Bluegrass website for more information. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center. Cost is $5.
Move and Groove
Wednesdays, 9:30-10:15 a.m. In partnership with
Ballet Chelsea's Adaptive Dance Program (ADP), and with support from the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, this Move and Groove class for Seniors, taught by Kari Becker, is tailor made to the needs and abilities of the participants and aims to improve coordination and balance, endurance, flexibility, self-confidence and, for students, teamwork. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center. Contact 734.794.6250. Free of charge.
Scrabble
Wednesdays, 1:30-3 p.m. What has 100 tiles, 225 squares, a multi-colored board and millions of fans of all ages, backgrounds, and locales? Calling all Scrabble lovers! Easy to teach, easy to learn and fun to play: this group is for people who like a little friendly competition and riotous conversation. All experience levels are welcome, so if you like the occasional game of Scrabble, then join us! Friends encouraged. Open to all ages 18+. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center. Call 734.794.6250. Free for members; $2 for nonmembers.
Trivia Over Zoom!
Wednesday, Nov. 20, Dec. 4 and 18, Jan. 8 and 22, 1-2 p.m. Join us on the first and third Wednesday of each month. Invite your friends, grandchildren and neighbors to login and play with you, or be placed on a team with others. We will keep a tally of winners and at the end, will have prizes that you can pick up. Join Zoom Meeting URL by clicking here. Zoom Meeting ID: 979 1239 9740 Passcode: 194912. Questions? Contact 734.794.6250 or
[email protected]. Free for members; $2 nonmembers.
Mind Matters
Wednesdays, 10-11 a.m. (Except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1); Mondays, Dec. 16, 23 and 30, 10-11 a.m.; and Thursdays, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2, 10-11 a.m.). Join us for fun brain exercises that are designed to keep your brain young, strong, agile and adaptable. No experience necessary – just bring a pen, paper and an open mind! Join Zoom Meeting URL by clicking here. Meeting ID: 947 2633 1603 Passcode: 739714. Questions? Contact 734.794.6250 or [email protected]. Free for members; $2 nonmembers.
Artist's Open Studio
Thursdays, 9:30-11 a.m. (Closed on Nov. 28) Calling all artists and craft enthusiasts! Join us for a weekly open studio where we invite you to bring your own projects and art equipment to work on in a creative, and supportive environment. Don't have your hands on a project or equipment? Not to worry – we have a collection of materials and craft projects that you can choose from (please call ahead to see what supplies are available). Friends encouraged. Open to all ages 18+. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center. Free for members, $2 for nonmembers.
Little Tiny Art Gallery Exhibit: Featuring Michael Nagara
The Little Tiny Art Gallery, in front of the Ann Arbor Senior Center, is now exhibiting a show by Michael Nagara November-December. It can be viewed anytime as it is an outdoor exhibit space. Michael Nagara's artist statement reads: “I am an Okinawan-Japanese-American visual artist, recently diagnosed with a photosensitive, autoimmune inflammatory disease (thence the extensive covering clothes). I currently work out of a studio community in Detroit. I have work in the permanent collection of the University of Michigan Ross School of Business and various private collections. Originally an illustrator, painter, and calligrapher, I have recently grown an interest in sculpture from reclaimed or recycled materials.
While having exhibited bodies of work in cartoon illustration, photography, landscape imagery, 3D printing, and Japanese calligraphy, my recent conceptual sculpture work focuses on visually ambiguous or illusory interactions of scale in space. I visually symbolize many scales of problematic interrelations between multigenerational planetary time, and the roiling activity of individual human bodies that tire and hunger daily, amidst relentless, 24-hour-a-day, planetary-scale supply lines and their economic and political administration. Thus, visual problematics in my work are intended to metaphorically map to the problematics of technologically-driven life and culture: dreamed of for a century or more as a utopian panacea, but inescapably tied to the human flaws that go into its creation through its human creators.
My most recent work seeks to re-visualize issues created by the fact that technology, even if benevolently conceived, is at best merely a catalyst. Technology merely speeds and catalyzes isolation, injustice and cruelty, the same as it can sometimes speed and catalyze the spread of justice, interconnectedness, and benevolence. My continued ethical problematizing of the very technologies that have catalyzed and fed my work has led me to an interest in sculpture using recycled and cast-off materials. My new body of work uses materials like empty food containers and delivery boxes, recycled foam and fiber stuffing, and leftover part sprues from my personal collection of plastic models to build structures that question and implicate even the work's creator in the physical, phenomenological problematics embodied in the symbolism of technology = control = power."
New Artist Exhibit! Featuring Joan Cohen Jones
Art on display October-December. Artist opening reception on Friday, Nov. 22, 5-7 p.m. Joan is a traditional watercolorist who merges exquisite detail with panoramic scenes that employ both soft and vivid colors. Her art is known for the peaceful aura it invokes. Joan has always been interested in art and jokingly says that her creativity “peaked" in kindergarten when she fingerpainted with her elbows. Joan's interest was encouraged by her mother, a gifted amateur artist. She stopped creating art sometime in high school, when academics took precedence.
Throughout her academic career Joan found a way to incorporate her two loves, mathematics and art, through the courses she created and the textbooks she wrote. As Joan neared retirement she decided to take a watercolor course, encouraged by her childhood friend. That was over 10 years ago. Since then, Joan has worked to master the art of watercolor through classes and workshops with nationally and internationally recognized artists. Her work has been exhibited in numerous venues and is collected by watercolor enthusiasts from Maine to California. Joan travels to Maine each Summer for inspiration because “there are more artists there per square mile than anywhere else".
Visit the show at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave., (9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday). Call 734.794.6250. Free admission.
Bridge
ACBL Sanctioned Games
Thursdays, 12-3:30 p.m. (No game on Nov. 28) Join us for sanctioned bridge at the Ann Arbor Senior Center with director, Matt Evett! No partner? No problem! Arrive by 11:30 a.m. and tell the director. Open to all ages 18+. More information can be found at
annarborbridge.com. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center. Cost is members, $8; nonmembers, $9.
Non-sanctioned Duplicate Bridge Games
Mondays, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Directed by Ray Gentz, attracts players of all ages with varied levels of expertise including life masters to beginners. Open to all ages 18+. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center. Members, $3; nonmembers, $5.
Instructional Bridge
Instructional bridge classes are directed by Ray Gentz and are open to all ages. Each class requires its own registration. Call to register. For more information, contact the instructor Ray Gentz at [email protected]. Open to all ages 18+. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center. Cost of each course is: $130, member; $156 nonmembers (drop-in option members, $15; nonmembers, $17).
Bridge II Play of the Hand, Part I: Mondays through Dec. 9, 9:30-11:30 a.m. The course focuses on declarer play methods from the required text “Play of the Hand in the 21st Century" by Audrey Grant. Each class consists of 90 minutes of presentation including a brief break. The last 30 minutes will be for students to play hands which will be analyzed with an emphasis on declarer techniques. The first half of the text will be covered during the course. Open to all ages. Pre-requisite: Bridge I or equivalent class. Instructor: Ray Gentz. Call 734.794.6250. Cost is $130, members; $156, nonmembers (Drop-in: $15, members; $17, nonmembers).
Bridge Defense, Part I: Tuesdays through Dec. 17 (No class Nov. 5), 10 a.m.-noon. Defensive concepts studied in depth using the required text "
Defense in the 21st Century" by Audrey Grant. Each class will have 1 hour of lecture, a brief break and then the remaining time will be used for playing of hands with analysis especially geared toward defense. Open to all ages. Pre-requisites: Bridge I and II. Instructor: Ray Gentz. Call 734.794.6250. Cost is $130, members; $156, nonmembers (Drop-in: $15, members; $17, nonmembers).
Bridge for Beginners, Part I: Tuesdays through Dec. 17 (No class Nov. 5), 1-3 p.m. A beginning course focusing on basic aspects of bridge featuring bidding using the Standard American system taught in the required text “
Bidding in the 21st Century" by Audrey Grant. Also included are sections on scoring, defense and more. Each class consists of 90 minutes of presentation including a brief break. The last 30 minutes will be for students to play pre-dealt hands that deal with the material from the lecture. Come and learn this fun yet challenging game! Instructor: Ray Gentz. Call 734.794.6250. Cost is $130, members; $156, nonmembers (Drop-in: $15, members; $17, nonmembers).
Senior Focused Classes: Wellness and Enrichment
Senior Focus classes are offered in partnership with Washtenaw Community College for adults 65+. Classes are held at the Ann Arbor Senior Center. Preregistration required. If after registering, you find you are unable to attend, please let us know so that we may open spots for other participants. Please note that all WCC senior-focused classes are free of charge regardless of membership status.
Tai Chi (All Levels)
Tuesdays, Jan. 14-March 25, 10:30-11:30 a.m. (No class Feb. 18) This free Tai Chi class combines martial arts movements with Qi (energy) circulation, breathing and stretching techniques. This class helps improve balance and overall health. Instructed by Karla Groesbeck. Class is open to all abilities.
Line Dancing for Seniors
Tuesdays, Jan. 14-March 18, noon-1 p.m. A line dance is a choreographed dance where everyone dances a repeating sequence of steps while arranged in one or more lines. This class provides low impact exercise and socializing. Instructed by Deliena Grantham.
Adventures in Watercolor
Tuesdays, Jan. 21-March 25, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Join this mindful community of painters for artistic inspiration, painting demos, art history, lively discussion and fun. All skill levels welcome. Participants will be required to provide their own materials. Instructed by Debra Golden.
Intermediate Tai Chi
Wednesdays, Jan. 15-March 26, 10:30-11:30 a.m. (No class Feb. 19) This free Tai Chi class combines martial arts movements with Qi (energy) circulation, breathing and stretching techniques. This class helps improve balance and overall health and is suitable for intermediate level Tai Chi students. Instructed by Karla Groesbeck. Class is open to all ages.
Senior Focus Yoga
Wednesdays, Jan. 8-March 12, 2-3 p.m. This gentle, fun Yoga practice welcomes folks of all mobility levels and experience. Senior Focus Yoga is led by Tammy Wingfoote and includes modifications for individual needs and safe transitions in and out of yoga postures. Motor planning and fall prevention awareness is woven throughout the class to help improve mobility. Explore yoga postures in seated, mid plane, and standing positions, finishing the class in reclined peaceful relaxation. Enjoy the benefits of improved alignment, balance, strength, flexibility, and breath awareness through the ancient practice of Yoga. The use of props; chair, straps, or yoga blocks to support your practice is welcome. Students may use one of the limited number of mats at the Senior Center; it is suggested to bring your own mat.
Italian Language Class - Intermediate
Thursdays, Jan. 16-March 20, 10-11 a.m. Planning a trip to Italy? Or are you passionate about the riches of this beautiful country known for its scenic landscape, excellent cuisine, operas, art, history and most important, its warm, fun, loving people? Come join native speaker, Nicola Parravano in learning to speak the language of love – Italian! The class will also explore the many wonderful characteristics of Italian culture. Class will be held in a supportive, friendly and fun place to learn this beautiful language. Prerequisite of previous Intermediate Italian course.
Strength and Conditioning for Seniors
Fridays, Jan. 17-March 28, 1-2 p.m. (No class Feb. 7) This fun and energetic class will improve your quality of life by providing training that will improve your strength, balance and mobility. We will keep it moving with easy-to-follow cardio moves. Classes are taught by fitness expert Michele Williams. Join us and let's get this fitness party started!
Rent the Ann Arbor Senior Center
Planning an event? Rent the Ann Arbor Senior Center in the charming neighborhood of Burns Park! The facility is the perfect venue to host your next baby shower; birthday, graduation, or retirement party; reception; work retreat; public meeting or class; and much more! The center is equipped with multiple rooms, ample onsite parking, a kitchen with space for food storage and preparation, air conditioning, balloon frames and inflating tools, LCD projector, tables, chairs, sound system with Bluetooth connectivity, access to the park and playground, and two 50" flat screen televisions (stream a football game or movie for the kids!). Click
here for information about pricing. To make a reservation or check availability, call 734.794.6250.
Catholic Social Services
- A “go to” place for a comprehensive Senior Resource Connect Program including a
list of phone numbers of the services seniors need. No religious affiliation necessary.
Jewish Family Services
- Providing expertise, compassion and personalized support through the aging experience. No religious affiliation necessary.
Call
AgeWays to Get Connected with Resources and Programs
- The Area Agency on Aging 1-B is celebrating its 50th birthday in 2024 with a name change! The nonprofit is now known as AgeWays Nonprofit Senior Services, a name that reflects its mission: helping people to age in the ways they choose. Call 800-852-7795 to learn about services, resources and classes for older adults and family caregivers.
- Medicare/Medicaide Questions: AgeWays can help: Explain Medicare health plan options and eligibility requirements; Understand what is/isn’t covered by
Medicare; Understand doctor bills, hospital bills and Medicare Summary Notices; Understand Medicare/Medicaid enrollment timelines; Review your Medicare supplemental (“Medigap”) insurance needs, compare policies and pursue claims and refunds; Identify resources for prescription drug assistance & identify and report Medicare/Medicaid fraud and abuse.
Solo Learning: Aging In Place and Healthy Aging Highlights
As people age, they tend to want the same things: to stay in their homes, maintain independence, and turn to family and friends when they need help. If living at home is important to you, you may worry about getting around, staying safe, and keeping connected. Information on healthy aging and more tips from the
National Institute on Aging at
NIH is available here.
Trualta: New Skills-Building Platform Offered for Family Caregivers
Ageways is now offering
Trualta, a free online platform designed to help family caregivers navigate challenges, find local resources, and connect with other caregivers. Trualta’s learning modules, on subjects ranging from handling a loved one’s resistance to taking medications to managing pressure wounds, to taking care of oneself, can be read, listened to, or watched. There are resources, articles, checklists, videos, quizzes, and webinars to choose from.
NEW! LGBTQ+ Pride In Aging
- The Turner Senior Wellness Program at Michigan Medicine and MiGen are teaming up to create a welcoming and inclusive space for older and maturing LGBTQ+ individuals and allies in Washtenaw County and the surrounding areas to connect, share resources, and support each other. Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with other older adults in the community who share similar experiences. To sign up and receive communications about upcoming offerings click here. Contact [email protected] or call 734-998-9353.
Donations & Equipment Lending
- Looking to donate medical equipment? Looking to borrow equipment? The Ann Arbor Senior Center will take
and lend gently used ADL equipment such as shower chairs, walkers, canes, and more. Call us at 734.794.6250. If you have other types of medical equipment to donate, please click
here for a list of places that accept varying types of medical supplies.
Transportation Services
- Feonix/Washtenaw Rides for Older Adults: is a program that provides no-cost transportation to Washtenaw County residents ages 60+ who need transportation to medical care, healthcare, and food access. To find out if you qualify, please call Feonix at 734.259.4125.
Senior Moments
CTN's monthly series, Senior Moments, provides valuable information for senior citizens on such issues as health, wealth, finance and entertainment by covering events and activities at senior centers in the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area. Click below to watch the series and catch it on Comcast CTN Channel 16, on the last Sunday of the month at 5 p.m. Reruns Sundays at 5 p.m., Mondays at 8 a.m., Tuesdays at 7:30 a.m., Wednesdays at 11 a.m. and Fridays at 5 p.m. To access the series online, visit Senior Moments - YouTube. The newest segment features Andrea Lang of Silver Club Memory Programs and Sarah Weiss of Washtenaw Support Network for Caregivers, both of which are departments of University of Michigan Medicine for Alzheimer patients and the family discuss their programs and how they interact and help people with Alzheimer's Disease and their caregivers.
