NEW: Ann Arbor Senior Center Newsletter

Word of the Week: Esprit de l’escalier: Used to refer to the fact that a witty remark or retort often comes to mind after the opportunity to make it has passed. “I blanked on a response to the final question in the job interview, but I felt a rush of esprit de l’escalier on the drive home.”

Quote of the Week: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." - Eleanor Roosevelt

NEW! Online Registration Now Available

We are moving away from accepting requests for class registrations by email, as these requests cannot be processed as timely as many members would like. To help us with this transition, please take a moment to check out the exciting new online registration system – click here! Each activity in the newsletter and on our website will have a link that will direct you to the registration page for that specific activity. Alternatively, you can find this page by visiting www.a2gov.org/parks, scroll down to the section titled “I Want To…” and click the icon “Register for a “Program”. In the top left corner is a red link that says “Log In with Email” – if you have registered for programs with us before, use the email that you receive notifications and receipts about classes. If you’re new, you can also create a new account by following the same link. You’re still welcome to give us a call to register for programs, 734.794.6250. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Upcoming Events  

Move and Groove for Seniors – Register for the Spring/Summer Semester

Wednesdays, June 4-Aug. 27, 9:30-10:15 a.m. Ballet Chelsea's Adaptive Dance Program (ADP) brings movement classes to residents ages 3 to 93. 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. Please note: if you are currently in the Winter Move & Groove course, you will need to re-register for the Spring/Summer course. Click here to register or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

Senior Park Walks

Fridays, 10-11 a.m. Join us for a weekly guided one-mile, beginner-level walk at a different park in the City of Ann Arbor! Path conditions may include paved, unpaved, and boardwalks, all of which will have little or no elevation changes. Pack your own water bottle, we will have a water refill station and provide a light snack. Each walk will be weather permitting, and a weather determination will be made by 9 a.m. the morning of the walk. Instructions of where to meet will be emailed prior to Friday. Limited space due to limited parking. Participants may sign up for a walk 2-weeks ahead of the walk date. Preregistration required. Click here to register or call 734.794.6250. Free for members; $2 per walk for nonmembers (must be paid at the time of registration).

Workshop: Paper Making with Natural Materials 

Tuesday, May 13, 2-4 p.m. Join our friend Eleva Potter, Natural Area Preservation Environmental Educator, for this new workshop! Learn how to make your own paper with leaves and flowers that we’ll collect outside and then turn into your own colorful creations! All materials provided. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here to register or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

Drive-through: Celebrate National Buttermilk Biscuit Day!

Wednesday, May 14, noon-1 p.m. Join Stacee Garcia with Atria Senior Living for this fun, and flavorful event! Enjoy snacks, receive a goody bag, socialize, and pick up information! Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here to register or call 734.794.6250. Free for members; $5 nonmembers.

Balloon Volleyball Match!

Friday, May 16, 10 a.m.-noon. Join our friend Skye from University Senior Living for this exciting game! This is a class for a fun, low-impact workout that’s perfect for all ages! This heart-healthy activity uses a lightweight balloon for a playful, easy-on-the-joints game that boosts coordination, balance, and cardiovascular health. Whether you're a fitness pro or young at heart, it’s a great way to stay active, social, and energized! Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here to register or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

Technology Workshop: Essential Computer Skills

Friday, May 23, 11 a.m.-noon. Join James Giordani from AsKevin for this educational tech workshop on four essential computer skills for older adults. Notice how it's gotten harder and harder to send emails, write documents, and browse the internet in the last few years? Come learn how tech companies are mucking things up a few tricks to make using your computer easier. James breaks down the confusing world of technology into clear, understandable, and interesting presentations whether you're a tech novice or a tech master. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave.

Preregistration required. Preregistration required. Click here to register or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

Lunch & Learn Workshops

Lunch & Learn: Safety in the Home

Wednesday, May 21, noon-1 p.m. Join Rachel Soumokil of Heartland Home Health for this educational presentation! We'll learn about steps seniors can take to maintain safety in their homes. Light lunch provided. Preregistration required. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here to register or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

Lunch & Learn: A Conversation on Sports, Concussions, and Brain Health Throughout the Lifespan

Wednesday, June 18, noon-1 p.m. Join University of Michigan’s Concussion Center for this educational presentation! Dr. Eleanna Varangis of the Center will provide dedicated time for questions and discussions following a short presentation on how sports and concussions affect brain health across the lifespan. Light lunch provided. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

Lunch & Learn: Introduction to Glaucoma

Wednesday, June 25, noon-1 p.m. Join FOX Rehabilitation for this educational presentation! Glaucoma is a chronic eye disease that damages the optic nerve, which can lead to vision loss or blindness. It's caused by a buildup of fluid in the eye, which increases pressure and damages the optic nerve. Join a representative from FOX Rehabilitation to discuss understanding the disease, types of vision loss, and compensatory and adaptive strategies to assist. FOX is a primarily clinician-operated, professional private practice of full-time physical, occupational, and speech therapists, built on the foundation of Geriatric House Calls. Light lunch provided. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge. 

Weekly Activities

Mind Matters

Wednesdays, 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 ID: 947 2633 1603. Passcode: 739714 or click here. Questions? Contact 734.794.6250. Free for members; nonmembers, $2.

Trivia Over Zoom!

Wednesdays, May 7 and 21, 1-2 p.m. Join us twice a month for an educational trivia game! 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? Call 734.794.6250. ​Free for members; $2 nonmembers.​ 

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+. Call 734.794.6250. Free for members; $2 for nonmembers.

Blueg​​rass Jam​​

Wednesdays, May 14 and 28, 7-9 p.m. 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. All ages are welcome.​ Visit the Bluegrass website for more information. Open to all ages 18+. Call 734.794.6250. Cost is $5.​​​​

 Artist’s Open Studio

Thursdays, 9:30-11 a.m. 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. Friends encouraged. Please call ahead of time to learn what materials we have on hand. Open to all ages 18+. Call 734.794.6250. Free for members, $2 for nonmembers.

Bridge

Non-Sanctioned 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 master’s to beginners. All ages 18+ welcome. More information can be found at annarborbridge.com. Call 734.794.6250. Members, $3; nonmembers, $5. 

ACBL Sanctioned Bridge Games

Thursdays, noon-3:30 p.m. Join us for sanctioned bridge with our new 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​. Call 734.794.6250. Members, $8; nonmembers, $9.

Bridge II, Play of the Hand, Part III

Mondays through July 21 (No class May 26), 9:30-11:30 a.m. 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. Required Text: “Play of Hand in the 21st Century” by Audrey Grant (ISBN-10: 0939460947). Open to all ages 18+. Instructor: Ray Gentz. Click here to register or call 734.794.6250. Cost is: $130, members; $156 nonmembers (Drop-in: $15, members; $17, nonmembers). 

Bridge Defense – Part III

Tuesdays through July 15, 10 a.m.-noon. 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. We will study chapters 7-9. Prerequisites: Bridge I/equivalent or prior experience. Required Text: “Defense in the 21st Century” by Audrey Grant (ISBN-10: ‎0939460653). Open to all ages 18+. Instructor: Ray Gentz. Click here to register or call 734.794.6250. Cost is: $130, members; $156, nonmembers (Drop-in: $15, members; $17, nonmembers).

Bridge Class: 2/1 Game Force System

Tuesdays through June 24, 1-3 p.m. The class is for advanced beginners and up. Participants MUST have a good understanding of the Standard American Bidding system and be ready to learn a system similar to that with extra gadgets added to improve bidding accuracy which will include extra memorization. The first 60-75 minutes will be used for lecture with the remaining time left for students to play hands with analysis provided. The 2/1 system is becoming more popular today in the USA. Students are to pre-pay or pay on first day of class and should be committed to attending at least 8 of the 10 sessions in order to

get the most from the course. Required text is "2 Over 1 Game Force" by Audrey Grant and Eric Rodwell (ISBN-10: 093946084X). Prerequisites Bridge I and II. Instructed by Ray Gentz. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center. Click here to register or call 734.794.6250. Cost is $100, members; $120, nonmembers (Drop-in fee: $15, members; $17).

WCC Senior Focus Classes

Tai Chi (All Leve​​ls) 

Tuesdays, May 13-July 22, 10:30-11:30 a.m. (No class June 17). ​​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. Trainer is Karla Groesbeck. Offered in partnership with Washtenaw Community College for adults 65+. Preregistration required 734.794.6250. Registration begins on April 7^th beginning at 9 a.m. Call or register in-person. Spots fill quickly. Free of charge.

Adventures in Watercolor

Tuesdays, May 20-July 22, 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. Trainer is Debra Golden. Offered in partnership with Washtenaw Community College for adults 65+. Preregistration required at 734.794.6250. Registration begins on April 7^th beginning at 9 a.m. Call or register in-person. Spots fill quickly. Free of charge.

Intermediate T​​ai Chi      

​Wednesdays, May 14-July 23, 10:30-11:30 a.m. (No class June 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 and is suitable for intermediate level Tai Chi students. Trainer is Karla Groesbeck. Offered in partnership with Washtenaw Community College for adults 65+. Preregistration required at 734.794.6250. Registration begins on April 7^th beginning at 9 a.m. Call or register in-person. Spots fill quickly. Free of charge.