The Ann Arbor Senior Center Membership Advantage: Please consider joining the center to start receiving discounts on classes and senior center rentals! A year long membership is only $25, and a family annual membership is $35. In order to provide the most exceptional program experience, starting January 1, 2022, we will ask participants to register for an annual membership to participate in no-cost activites such as Drive-Through Events, Workshops, Trivia, Mind Matters, Weekly Park Walks, and other new additions in our programming.
No-cost memberships are available to income eligible families that apply for the Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Scholarship program. Non-members may try each program, once, at no cost, prior to making their determination to join. Participation in a program following the free trial will cost $2 per person for non-members. Thank you for your understading as we identify and move forward with strategies to keep our programming and events possible. Please contact our office with any questions.
Senior and Community Resources
A helpful resource guide that we utlize often is the 2022 Catholic Social Services Senior Resource Guide which lists many go-to places around the community that are extremely helpful. Outside of this guide, we are available via phone to help find local resources for seniors on a variety of topics including home health care, food assistance, home repairs and maintenance, transportation, assistance for veterans, medicare/medicaid help, housing information and much more. Give Marianne or Brittany a call at 734.794.6250 Monday-Friday 9-4 p.m. and we will do our best to provide resources and contact information for needed services.
Events
Monthly Drive-Thru Events
Wednesdays, Dec. 14, Jan. 18, Feb. 15, March 15, and April 19, noon-1 p.m. Senior geared goodie bags will be given out to patrons that sign up; limited spots available. Snacks and beverages will be given out to enjoy in person or to take home. Come enjoy snacks, pickup information, and chat outdoors! RSVP required, limited spots available. Free of charge.
Winter Wonderland Drive-Through
Wednesday, Dec. 14, noon-1p.m.
Join the Ann Arbor Senior Center for winter wonderland drive-through event. Senior geared goodie bags will be given out to patrons that sign up, limited spots available. Come enjoy snacks, pickup information, and chatoutdoors!
As we are into the season of giving, we will be collecting non-perishable food donations for Bryant Community Center'sEmergency Food Pantry. If you would like to contribute but transporting food is not an option, visit
canwashtenaw.org/turkey-drive to donate online.
To RSVP contact 734.794.6250 or
[email protected] to reserve your spot today. Free of charge.
Versiti: Season of Giving Blood Drive
Wednesday, Dec. 21, 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Join Versiti (versiti.org) at the Ann Arbor Senior Center for a holiday season blood drive. Versiti is a national leader in innovative blood health solutions. From research and diagnostic testing to the sharing of lifesaving gifts, Versiti works to advance the field of personalized medicine while providing care, comfort and support to our communities. Donating blood is a great way to give back to your community, and remember: You're always somebody's type! To sign up online click
here. Questions about Versiti or donations? Call 866.642.5663.
And We're Excited About...
Winter Market: Mary Berry's Gardening
Through Friday, Dec. 16. Monday-Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Precut Christmas tree, wreaths, garland, ready-made potted arrangements, and more. A portion of profits will be donated to the Huron Valley Humane Society. Come take holiday photos with the whole family. Pets are welcome, on leash please. Coffee and donuts on the weekends. 8400 Ford Rd., Ypsilanti. Visit
https://maryberrysgardening.com/ email
[email protected] or call 734.544.1969 for more information. Free admission.
Upcoming Workshops
Join us for our Wednesday Workshop Series! Every Wednesday morning we host a different organization to come and provide a hands-on learning experience. Workshops are an opportunity for local groups, businesses, and organizations to provide an educational presentation to our members about their services, activities, and different ways that you can be involved in the community. RSVP to 734.794.6250 or
[email protected]. Free of charge.
Ann Arbor Senior Center Weekly Newsletter
Each week we offer a newsletter that highlights programs and events taking place over the next week, both at our center, and around the community. If you would like to receive our weekly emails, please contact [email protected]
Click here to read this weeks newsletter.
Weekly Activities
Blue Grass Jam
The second and fourth Tuesday of every month, 7-9 p.m. Meeting the second and fifth Tuesday in November: Nov. 8 and 29.
The A2 Blue Grass 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. All ages are welcome. Visit the
Bluegrass website for more information. Cost is $5.
Mind Matters
Every Wednesday, 10-11 a.m.
Also additional Mondays: Dec. 19, 26, and Jan. 2.
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! Free of charge. Join Zoom Meeting URL by clicking
here. Meeting ID: 947 2633 1603
Passcode: 739714.
Trivia! Live Via Zoom
First and Third Wednesdays, 1-2 p.m.
Bonus Trivia date on Dec. 28!
We are back with live trivia via Zoom! Join us on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month. Each game will have questions based on weekly themes. 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. Free of charge. Join Zoom Meeting URL by clicking
here. Zoom Meeting ID: 979 1239 9740 Passcode: 194912.
Bridge
Games
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. Cost is $2 members; $3 nonmembers.
ACBL Sanctioned Bridge Games
Seeking Experienced Bridge Director
The Ann Arbor Senior Center is seeking an experienced Bridge Director to direct our Thursday ACBL Sanctioned Bridge Game. Please contact Brittany Patton at
[email protected] or 734.794.6250 if interested.
Bridge Supervised Play
Nov. 15, 22, 29, Dec. 6, 13 from 10 a.m.-noon
Supervised Bridge Play is designed for beginners and low intermediate players who wish to improve their bidding, declarer, and defensive play. The program will run with students playing 7-9 hands per session. Hands will be analyzed after completion to review the bidding, play, and defense. No book or partner needed. It is highly recommended that students have some type of previous bidding class or experience. Please note that this is not a duplicate game; just practice. For more details, contact the instructor Ray Gentz at [email protected]. Cost is $10, members; $12, nonmembers.
Instructional bridge classes are directed by Ray Gentz and are open to all ages. Each class requires its own registration. Call to register. Cost of each course series is: $130, member; $156 nonmembers (drop-in option of $15 per class session, members; $17 per class session, nonmembers).
Bridge II Play of the Hand, Part 1
Mondays, through Dec. 12, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Prerequisites: Bridge I or equivalent or prior experience. This class requires participants to bring their own copy of “Play of Hand in the 21st Century" by Audrey Grant (ISBN-10: 0939460947). This course focuses on declarer play using methods described in the required textbook. Also covered will be smaller sections on bidding review, 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 hands which will be analyzed with an emphasis on declarer techniques.
Bridge III Defense, Part 1
No sessions currently scheduled.
Prerequisites: Bridge I & II or equivalent or prior experience. This class requires participants to bring their own copy of “Defense in the 21st Century" by Audrey
Grant.This class is designed for beginners and low intermediate players who wish to improve their defensive play and do play practice with analysis. The class will run with lecture and discussion from the text for the first 60-75 minutes. Students will then play hands from a previous duplicate game during the remaining time. Hands are analyzed after completion to review the bidding, play and defense. Students may register in advance and prepay for all 13 weeks or pay as you go (drop-in). It is highly recommended that students have some type of previous bidding class or experience.
Bridge I Bridge for Beginners, Part 1
Tuesdays, through Dec.20, 1 -3 p.m. No prerequisites required. This class requires participants to bring their own copy of “Bidding in the 21st Century" by Audrey Grant. A beginning course focusing on basic aspects of bridge featuring bidding using the Standard American system taught using the required textbook. 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!
Wellness and Enrichment
Sign Up for Winter 2023 Classes!
All Winter 2023 Classes are held at the Ann Arbor Senior Center and require pre-registration by calling 734.794.6250 or emailing
[email protected].
If after registering, you find you are unable to attend, please let us know so that we may open spots for other participants. Thank you!
Tai Chi (All Levels)
Tuesdays, Jan. 10 - March 28, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Offered in partnership with Washtenaw Community College for seniors 65 and older, this free Tai Chi class combines martial arts movements with Qi (energy) circulation, breathing and stretching techniques to improve balance and overall health. Instructed by Karla Groesbeck, class is open to all ages and abilities. Preregistration is required. Free of charge.
Intermediate Tai Chi
Wednesdays, Jan.11 - April 5, 10:30-11:30 a.m. (No class February 1)
Offered in partnership with Washtenaw Community College for seniors 65 and older, this free Tai Chi class combines martial arts movements with Qi (energy) circulation, breathing and stretching techniques to improve balance and overall health and is suitable for intermediate level Tai Chi students. Instructed by Karla Groesbeck, class is open to all ages and those with some experience in Tai Chi. Preregistration is required. Free of charge.
Line Dancing for Seniors
Tuesdays, Jan. 17 - March 21, noon-1 p.m.
Offered in partnership with Washtenaw Community College for seniors 65 and older. A line dance is a choreographed dance in which a group of people dance along to a repeating sequence of steps while arranged in one or more lines or rows. It is a great time to socialize along with low impact exercise. Dance a party full of familiar oldies. Instructed by Deliena Grantham.
Adventures in Watercolor
TBD
Join this mindful community of painters, in partnership with Washtenaw Community College for individuals 65 and older, for artistic inspiration, painting demos, a bit of art history, lively discussion and fun. All skill levels welcome. Instructed by Debra Golden. Call to preregister. Free of charge.
Strength and Conditioning for Seniors
Wednesdays, Jan. 18 - March 29, 1-2 p.m. and Fridays, Jan. 13 - March 17, 1 - 2 p.m. (No class February 1)
Due to the high demand for this class, participants may only sign up for the Wednesday or Friday class at this time. Offered in partnership with Washtenaw Community College for seniors 65 and older this fun and energetic class will improve your quality of life by providing training that will increase your strength, help with 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! Free of charge.
Life Writing Class
Wednesdays, February 8-March 1, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Offered in partnership with Washtenaw Community College and taught by writing expert Simon Mermelstein. Everyone's got a story to tell. The events of our own lives can be funny, poignant, inspirational, interesting, important pieces of history, and all of the above. This class will help you take the most important moments of your life and turn them into powerful pieces of writing. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Free of charge.
Senior Park Walks
Will begin again in May 2023
Every Friday, 10-11 a.m. Please join Ann Arbor Senior Center staff for a weekly, guided, one-mile, beginner level walk at a different park in the City of Ann Arbor! New location information will be announced in April. Water and a light snack will be provided. Each walk will be weather permitting, and a weather determination will be made by 9 a.m. each Friday. Registration is required for this free event. For more information or to RSVP contact
[email protected]. Free of charge. Click
here for the list of the 2022 Park Walks and directions.
Care Management by Natalie – Senior Support
The second Wednesday of each month, in-person appointments are available starting at 9:30 or 10:30 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. To learn more about Care Management by Natalie, visit the link:
Who is Care Management by Natalie. Sign up for a free 1 hour initial consultation, a $150 value, free of charge. RSVP to 734.794.6250.
December appointments are full.
Cognitive Exercises with Mark
Wednesdays, Nov. 9-Dec. 1
4, from 2:30-3:30 p.m.
(No class on Nov. 23). You do not need to attend all classes; feel from to come to one or come to all!
Join Mark Harris for cognitive exercises that will allow you to work your brain and have fun! Mark holds his education from the National Academy of Sports Medicine and has been a certified personal trainer for over 15 years with expertise in senior health and fitness. His motto is “Life’s a journey – travel well.” Harris applies the analogy of moving a mountain one stone at a time to reach the goal. “It’s okay to start small,” he says. Lots of laughs are promised, so call the Ann Arbor Senior Center today and register for this fun class. Free of charge!
Workshop for Families in Need of Caregiving Services
Tuesdays, Nov. 15, Dec. 13, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Join Miriam Vincent, care specialist of Ann Arbor Care Consulting, to learn about different caregiving resources and options in Washtenaw County. Topics will include in-home care, respite, assisted living, long term, memory care, palliative, and hospice care. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin. For questions and to RSVP contact [email protected] or 734.972.1074. Free of charge.
Dances in 2-D, a solo art show by Joan K. O'Connell
Challenges began to limit Joan's expressive-creative dancing.
Gradually, she stopped teaching and performing. Then, dabbling with paint and paper, she discovered new avenues for exploring perceptions and a wide range of emotions, old and new.
Joan's exhibit will be on display until Jan. 2023; feel free to stop by and enjoy her work during open hours at the Senior Center, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. weekdays. Located at 1320 Baldwin. Free of charge.
A preview of her exhibit is also available online at https://dancesin2d.wordpress.com/.
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