Senior Center Membership
Individual and Family Membership
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. Consider the facts: Most ACBL players come two times a week and play - that's nearly 100 games a year. Your membership would cost you just $25 a year and you would save $75. Most Scrabble and Mahjong players play 50 times a year, and with a Senior Center membership, you will save $75 a year!
Arts & Humanities
A2 Community Sing with Matt Watroba
First Tuesday from April-June, 7-8:30 p.m., drop-in fee: $5
Just like singing around a campfire, you'll find yourself remembering that old ballad, an Irish tune, or childhood family song in no time. Our Community Sings are sure to stir up some fond memories and build a new family friendly tradition to be treasured for years to come. If you love to sing, haven't sung in years or just yearning for some fun intergenerational community time; Our Community Sing is sure to please. We use both the Rise Up Singing Song Book and the Rise Again Song Books. Song leaders typically start out each sing and all participants get an opportunity to pick a song in the circle. All voices welcomed. We occasionally will have a special sing during summer months, in Burns Park or Holiday Celebration. Special events will be on the website and group participants are notified when they sign up for notification. Community Sings are held in Burns Park in the Gallery Room at the Ann Arbor Senior Center. See you in April, May and June and then we will break for summer and pick up again in September. Click here to view a video feature Watroba.
Artist Receptions and live music
In an effort to bring art and the community together, the Ann Arbor Senior Center provides a venue for Ann Arbor artists and art students to show their work in our gallery space. Each artist hosts a special evening reception to share his or her artwork. These artist receptions are open to the public and often include live music and light refreshments. Suggested donation for attendees is $5. To view upcoming reception dates and a sampling of these beautiful and creative compositions by local artists, please visit our Cultural Arts page.
Blue Grass Jam
Second and fourth Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m., Fee: $5.
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.
Rise-Up Singing with Dawn
Third Tuesday from February-June, 7-8:30 p.m., drop-in fee: $5.
Dawn will lead you in a community sing program and accompany singers on piano and violin. We use the "Rise Up Singing" songbooks.
Keep Singing as you Age
Wednesday, April 25-May 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m. fee; $45 member; $50 nonmember.
This class focuses on group singing and harmony, but also on vocal techniques that can strengthen voices that are naturally changing with age. Improve both your speaking and singing voice with fun exercises and group singing.
Watercolor Skills Course
Thursday, May 10-July 12, 9:30-11:30 a.m.; free.
Join this mindful community of painters for artistic inspiration, painting demos, a bit of art history, lively discussion and fun. All skill levels welcome. This class is offered in partnership with Washtenaw Community College for individuals 65 and older.
Bridge Games & Instruction
ACBL Bridge Games
Noon-3:30 p.m., drop-in fee: $8 member; $9 nonmember.
ACBL open sanctioned games are played in the Gallery Room. Pre-dealt hands from "dealer 4" offer players immediate hand records and player analysis printouts. Wednesday Director Debra Eaves and Thursday Director Stacey Tessler.
Bridge Defense Part III
Monday, April 30-July 23, 9:30-11:30 a.m., fee: $130 member; $156 nonmember.
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. We will be study chapters 7-9 in the
text which may be purchased online or ordered from your local bookstore if you
didn't take Part I or II. Students may register in advance and pre-pay 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. Classes are held in the
Ann Arbor Senior Center and open to adults of all ages. For more details, contact the instructor or
the Ann Arbor Senior Center office. Text: Defense in the 21st Century by Audrey
Grant. Pre-requisites: Bridge I or equivalent or prior experience.
Bridge Conventions with Supervised Play
Tuesday, April 24-July 17, 1-3 p.m., fee: $130 member; $156 nonmember.
This class is for advanced beginner through middle
intermediate players who wish to learn new bidding and defense conventions as
well as to review former ones such as Stayman, Jacoby Transfers, Blackwood,
opening leads and more. No text needed! Handouts provided.
Each class will start with 20-45 minutes of presentation on the topic at hand
followed by the play portion where students will bid and play hands from the
previous days’ duplicate game with analysis done at the end. Students may
pre-pay for the entire class or pay a drop in fee of $15 for members or $17 for
non-members. For more information please contact the Senior Center or the
instructor, Ray Gentz.
Bridge II Play of the Hand Part III
Tuesday, April 24-July 17, 10-12 p.m., fee: $130 member; $156 nonmember.
This 13 week class is designed for advanced beginner and low intermediate players who wish to improve declarer skills. Audrey Grant has a worldwide reputation in the field of bridge education and in this class you use her methods covering chapters 7-9 in the required Text: "Play of the Hand in the 21st Century". The main part of the course deals with play of the hand as declarer. Other parts include bidding reviews, defense, and more. The class will run with lecture and discussion from the text for the first 75 minutes. Students will then play hands for the last 45 minutes. The text may be purchased online or ordered from your local bookstore. Students may register in advance and prepay for all 13 weeks or pay as you go (drop-in). Classes are held in the Ann Arbor Senior Center and open to adults of all ages. For more details, contact the Instructor Ray Gentz at ray62856@gmail.com or the Senior Center office at 734.794.6250. Pre-requisites: Bridge I or instructor permission.. Required text "Play of the hand in the 21st Century" by Audrey Grant.
Duplicate Non-sanctioned Bridge
Monday, 12:30-3:30 p.m., drop-in fee: $2 member; $3 nonmember.
Non-sanctioned Duplicate Bridge, directed by Ray Gentz, attracts players of all ages with varied levels of expertise including life masters to beginners.
Supervised Bridge Play
Monday, July 30-Sept. 10, 9:30- 11:30 a.m. (no class Aug. 6).
Tuesday, July 24-Sept. 11, 1-3 p.m.
Fee: $10 member; $12 nonmember.
This summer, enjoy the flexibility of attending
Supervised Bridge Play in the morning, the afternoon, or mix it up and come
when your schedule permits. There will be a Monday a.m. option and a Tuesday
p.m. option. 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 734.769.3994 or the Senior Center
office at 734.794.6250.
Social Games
Mahjongg
Monday, noon-3 p.m., drop-in fee: free member; $2 nonmember.
Test your skills and strategy tactics with an ancient tile-based game of Chinese origin, while engaging in bit of friendly competition. Similar to rummy and poker, this four-player game can be played by all ages and skill levels.
Scrabble
Tuesday, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Drop-in: free member; $2 nonmember.
Easy to learn and fun to play, this game is for people who like friendly competition and riveting conversation. All experience levels are welcome.
Fitness
Chair Yoga through Ann Arbor Rec & Ed
Chair yoga provides a gentle stretch for your body and brings a sense of clarity to the mind. This class is offered by Rec & Ed at the Ann Arbor Senior Center on Fridays. Visit Rec & ED to register for the class.
Senior Fitness, Fun and You
Tuesday, May 8-July 10, 1-2 p.m., free.
Join Mark Harris in this 10-week, free class for adults 65 and older offered in partnership with Washtenaw Community College. Improve fitness, strength, conditioning, flexibility, balance and cognitive skills while having fun. Call to register, 734.794.6250.
Tai Chi
Wednesday, May 9-July 18, 9-10:30 a.m., free. (no class July 4)
Join this free class in partnership with Washtenaw Community College for seniors 65 and older. Instruction combines martial arts movements with Qi (energy) circulation, breathing and stretching techniques to improve balance and overall health. Instructed by Karla Groesbeck. Call to preregister, 734.794.6250.
Senior Health & Safety
Powerful Tools for Caregivers
Tuesday, May 8-June 12, 6-7:30 p.m., free, registration with AAA1B required
Powerful Tools for Caregivers is an educational program designed to help family caregivers take care of themselves while caring for a relative or friend. It doesn’t matter what your situation is—whether you are caring for someone who lives with you, lives in an assisted living facility or a nursing home, or you’re a long-distance caregiver.
This small group class meets once a week for 6 weeks. Each class is an hour and one half long. Members get to know each other and learn from each other and your instructor. Participants learn tools to reduce stress and how to take of yourself; and ways to communicate feelings, needs and concerns; there are tips to help you get through challenging situations and prepare you to make tough decisions. Topics this 6 week class will cover includes hiring in-home help, helping memory-impaired loved ones, legal and financial decision management, understanding depression and tools to help make decisions about care facilities.
This class is free but you need to register with Area Agency on Aging 1-B at (833) 262-2200 or email here wellnessprograms@aaa1b.com
AARP HomeFit Program
Friday, May 11, noon-2p.m., free, Registration with AARP required
The AARP
HomeFit program was developed to educate older adults
how to navigate all living spaces independently to allow them to remain in
their own homes as they age.
A HomeFit facilitator will help you understand how homes can be designed and modified to help you get around independently in all of your living areas and how to make your home as safe as possible. You will also receive a personal copy of the AARP Home Fit Guide. To be part of this event, please call and register 1-877-926-8300. Space is limited.
Personal Action Toward Health (PATH)/Chronic Disease Self-Management
Friday, July 20-Aug. 24, 9-11:30 a.m., free, free, registration with AAA1B required
Do you have a chronic disease like arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, emphysema, asthma, bronchitis, COPD, or depression? Or, are you trying to find a way to cope with chronic pain? Do you want to be healthier and feel more in control? Personal Action Toward Health (PATH) is a community small group workshop that meets once a week for six weeks to help you learn to manage.
With PATH, you'll learn how you can:
- Make an action plan
- Solve problems
- Deal with difficult emotions
- Relax
- Manage pain and fatigue
- Making informed treatment decisions
- Work better with your health care professional
Just call (833) 262-2200 or email wellnessprograms@aaa1b.com for information or to register.
Ask a Nurse and Blood Pressure Checks
First Monday of each month, 3-4 p.m., free.
Natalie Adewunmi is a Registered Nurse and certified Care Manager with 12 years of experience. She will be on hand with resources to help answer your questions. Free blood pressure checks available.
AARP "Smart Driver" Classroom Workshop
Aug. 3-4, 8 a.m.-noon, fee $15 AARP members; $20 non-AARP members.
The AARP Driver Safety Program is a
classroom-based refresher designed for drivers age 50- plus. Tuition includes
the Driver Safety workbook and a recorded certificate. Note: successful
completion of this class may result in an insurance rate reduction. If you are
an AARP member, the cost is $15; if you are not a member, the cost is $20.
Please bring your AARP card and driver’s license to class. Even
the most experienced drivers can benefit from brushing up on their driving
skills. Checks made payable to AARP will be directly given to the AARP
instructor on the first day of your class. Plan to attend both days, Friday
& Saturday, Aug 3 & 4, 8 a.m. to noon. Classes are held in
the Ann Arbor Senior Center,1320 Baldwin Ave.
Call the Ann Arbor senior center to register, 734 794 6250.
Red Cross Disaster Preparedness
Saturday, Aug. 4, 10-11 a.m., free.
This course educates you on how to build a disaster preparedness kit, learn how and when to use a fire extinguisher and information on how to receive a free home visit for smoke alarm installation.
