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NEW: Weekly Ann Arbor Senior Center Newsletter

City of Ann Arbor, MI sent this bulletin at 03/02/2026 07:00 AM EST

Word of the Week: Wabi-Sabi -a Japanese word that describes finding beauty in the imperfect and incomplete.

Quote of the Week: "The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all." - The character of the emperor from the film Mulan.

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Educational Presentation: All About Acupuncture

Friday, March 6, 10:30-11 a.m. Join Evan Lebow-Wolf, president and senior acupuncturist at Ann Arbor Community Acupuncture for this informative talk on acupuncture, a healing modality used for to treat pain, inflammation, and stress related issues. The AACA is a non-profit clinic dedicated to making acupuncture affordable and accessible. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

Brunch & Learn: Music Therapy Benefits for Seniors

Monday, March 9, 10-11 a.m. Join Rachael Lawrence-Lupton, music therapist and owner of Gentle Care Music Therapy to explore how music impacts the aging brain—supporting memory, mood, connection, and overall quality of life for older adults. We’ll look at the neuroscience behind music’s effects, basic music therapy interventions that are utilized with older adults, and share practical, accessible ways caregivers, families, and individuals can intentionally use music in everyday settings. The goal is to empower anyone working with seniors to use music thoughtfully, even outside of formal music therapy. Light brunch provided. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

Drive-Through: National Eat Your Noodles Day

Wednesday, March 11, noon-1 p.m. Join Interim of Washtenaw for this fun, and informative event! Interim of Washtenaw will share about their short-term and long-term care provided. Come and learn more about their personal care plan and enjoy coffee, snacks, socialize, and pick up information. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here or call 734.794.6250. Free for members; $5 nonmembers.

Travels With George: The Soul of Southeast Asia

Thursday, March 12, 1:30-4 p.m. Join us on a travelogue with host George Jabol! Twenty-five hours of flight time brought me to Southeast Asia – a world very different from mine in terms of cultures, languages, beliefs, foods, and people. In Phnom Penh, Cambodia, I began my journey by touring the Royal Palace complex and its Khmer-style architecture. A performance of the classic art of Apsara dancing introduced me to the ancient civilizations at Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, whose stunning ruins speak of a glorious distant past. A sobering reminder of the recent present came with a visit to a Killing Fields site, dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives during the Khmer Rouge regime. A short flight brought me to Thailand, where I saw the elaborate temples of the Grand Palace in Bangkok as well as the ruined palaces of Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand. Another short flight landed me in Laos, a mountainous and scenically beautiful country where old ways predominate over modernity. A Mekong River cruise brought me to a remote village to learn how local people live. Finally I arrived in Vietnam and boarded a classic junk to explore the breathtaking scenery of Ha Long Bay. In bustling Hanoi, I attended a Water Puppet performance and rode a bicycle/rickshaw through the thriving streets and marketplaces of the city’s Old Quarter. My trip greatly deepened my understanding of and respect for the wondrous people and places of Southeast Asia. Open to all ages 18+. 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: Aging at Home with Dignity: The Misunderstood Value of Hospice

Wednesday, March 18, Noon-1 p.m. Join our host Hallmark Homecare! Hospice is one of the most misunderstood — and underused — benefits available to seniors. Many people believe it’s only for the final days of life, but hospice can bring meaningful support, comfort-focused care, equipment, supplies, and professional oversight into the home much earlier, often at no cost under Medicare. Light lunch provided. Please be aware that there are two of these sessions being offered, so please only register for one so that others can participate. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

Mind Matters – Fun Brain Games with Students from the AFA U-M Chapter

Friday, March 20, 1-2 p.m. Join us for this special Mind Matters session that will be hosted in person by representatives from the Alzheimer’s foundation of America at the University of Michigan. The AFA organization is dedicated to promoting brain health and wellness, raising awareness about Alzheimer’s disease, and encouraging proactive approaches to brain care. Join us for engaging and fun brain exercises to keep your brain young and strong! Friends are encouraged! Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

Brunch & Learn: Fox Rehab

Monday, March 23, 10-11 a.m. Join Fox Rehab for this informative and engaging talk. Light brunch 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: American House and Brightstar Home Care

Wednesday, March 25, noon-1 p.m. Join American House and Brightstar Home Care for this educational talk. Get to know who they are and ask questions. 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.

Workshop: Make Your Own Bird Feeder!

Thursday, March 26, 2-3:30 p.m. Get to know our local winter birds and help feed them until spring begins. We will make pinecone bird feeders with seeds and peanut butter, and cookie cutter bird feeders with gelatin. Not for those with a peanut allergy. All materials provided, no experience needed. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here or call 734.794.6250. Cost is $5.

Tech Talks: Hacks and Scams

Friday, March 27, 11 a.m.-noon. Cybercrime is a multibillion-dollar industry that disproportionately affects older adults. Come learn who these bad actors are, how they operate, and how to protect yourself. Hosted by AsKevin and James Giordani, MSW with a focus on enhancing the quality of life and independence of seniors through technology. He has been teaching tech skills and providing in-home tech support tailored to older adults for over 8 years. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

Simple Seasonal Snacks: Sushi

Tuesday, April 7, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Join Eleva Potter and learn how to roll your own sushi with rice, veggies and your choice of smoked salmon or imitation crab. All materials provided, no experience needed. Come hungry! Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here or call 734.794.6250. Cost is $5.

Simple Spring Snacks: Spring Rolls

Tuesday, April 14, 11am-12:30pm. Learn how to roll your own spring rolls with rice noodles, veggies, and shrimp. There will be a peanut sauce or sweet chili sauce too. All materials provided. No experience needed. Come hungry! Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here or call 723.794.6250. Free of charge.

Brunch & Learn: Legacy Projects 101

Monday, April 27, 10-11 a.m. Join Jenny Turner, End of Life Doula (EOLD) and co-founder of Evergreen End of Life Care Foundation of Michigan to learn what a legacy project is, see ideas and examples, and get started on your own project or a project for a loved one. Please note, this workshop was offered in February, if you were enrolled in that session, please allow others to sign up for this one as it covers the same material. Light brunch provided. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

Workshop: Choosing an Assisted Living Care Residence: The Challenges of Decision-Making

Tuesday, April 28, 10:30 a.m. – noon. When searching for an assisted living care residence, how can care seekers determine the best fit for support and care? An email will be sent to those who register with attached material to look over prior to the class. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here or call 734-794-6250. Free of charge.

Weekly Activities

Movement for Joy

Wednesdays through March 25, 9:30-10:15 a.m. Movement for Joy is a fluid body practice which incorporates meditation, the Brain Dance, balancing and play. We breathe, move the toxins, and find new and playful pathways in the body. Your spirit is enlivened by the end of class, and you're bound to feel a newness in the body from shifting stagnant energy. The benefits of this practice can be felt by everyone - all levels of mobility welcome. Most importantly this class is fun! Class is led by Kari Becker. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

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. Click here to register for the 2026 Mind Matters roster to receive communication about news or cancellations.

Trivia Over Zoom!

Wednesdays, March 4 and 8, 1-2 p.m. Join us twice a month for an educational trivia game! Invite your friends, grandchildren and neighbors to log in 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. Click here to register for the 2026 Trivia roster to receive communication about news or cancellations.

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, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Call 734.794.6250. Free for members; $2 for nonmembers.

Senior Mall Walks

Fridays, 10-11 a.m. Join us for a weekly one-mile loop around the mall! Meet staff from the Ann Arbor

Senior Center at Briarwood Mall, near the entrance of Panda Express (between JCPenney and Macy’s) and walk together indoors. Preregistration required. Click here to register or call 734.794.6250. Free for members; $2 per walk for nonmembers.

Bluegrass Jam

Wednesdays, March 11 and 25, 7-9 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30 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 banjo, fiddle, guitar, standup and electronic bass, mandolin, dobro and harmonica. Open to all ages; under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Visit the Bluegrass website for more information. If there is inclement weather, the jam will be cancelled (check a2gov.org/senior for closing updates). Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Call 734.794.6250. Cost is $5.

Bridge

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 master’s to beginners. Open to all ages 18+. To check results, visit burns.bridgeclubs.org. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Call 734.794.6250. Cost is $3, members; $5, nonmembers.

ACBL Sanctioned Bridge Games

Thursdays, noon-3:30 p.m. Join us for a sanctioned bridge with our 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, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Call 734.794.6250. Cost is $8, members; $9 nonmembers.

Bridge Play of the Hand - Part II

Mondays through April 6, 9:30-11:30 a.m. This class is designed for advanced beginners and low intermediate players who wish to improve declarer skills and will cover chapters 4-6 of the text. 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 for the first 75 minutes followed by play practice for the remaining time. The required text is “Play of the Hand in the 21st Century” by Audrey Grant. Open to all ages. Prerequisite: Bridge I or equivalent class. Instructed by Ray Gentz. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Click here to register or call 734.794.6250. Cost is: $130, members; $156 nonmembers (drop-in option: members, $15; nonmembers, $17).

Bridge Defense: Part II

Tuesdays through April 7, 10 a.m.-noon. This class is designed for beginners and low intermediate players who wish to improve their defensive play. Class consists of the first 75 minutes of lecture followed by play practice for the remaining 45 minutes. Hands will be analyzed after completion to review the bidding, play and defense. We will study chapters 4-6 of the required text "Defense in the 21st Century" by Audrey Grant. It is recommended students have some type of previous bidding class or experience. Instructed by Ray Gentz. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Click here to register or call 734.794.6250. Cost is: $130, members; $156 nonmembers (drop-in option: members, $15; nonmembers, $17).

Bridge for Beginners - Part II

Tuesdays through April 7, 1-3 p.m. This class will cover chapters 6-9 of the required text “Bidding in the 21st Century” by Audrey Grant. The first 60 minutes will be for lecture followed by a 5 minute break which will be followed by 25 minutes more of lecture. The last 30 minutes will be for play of hands. This is a great review class for others who may want a good review of overcalls, takeout doubles and Stayman. The class is for anyone who has taken Bridge for Beginners Part I. Open to all ages 18+. Instructor is Ray Gentz. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Click here to register or call 734.794.6250. Cost is: $130, members; $156 nonmembers (drop-in option: members, $15; nonmembers, $17).

Helpful Resources to Keep on Hand:

AgeWays: AgeWays is a Nonprofit Senior Service center that aims to make it easier to navigate services and resources tailored to the immediate and long-term care needs of older adults, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers. Counseling options are free of charge. MI Options includes a 90-minute session with a trained counselor who partners with individuals to explore the options particular to their needs, whether that’s housekeeping or personal care. After, counselors will follow up regularly to help meet goals! Counseling appointments can take place by phone, via video call, or in person. To access MI Options, call the statewide call center at 800.803.7174 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, or AgeWays at 248.262.5488 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

Catholic Charities Washtenaw Country-Senior Resources: Catholic Charities of Washtenaw County offer many resources such as emergency numbers, services such as counseling and caregiver, care management, transportation, legal and financial and many other resources. Their main number is 734.971.9781 or go to SeniorResourcesConnectMI.org.

Emergency Numbers for Seniors

Elder Abuse: Adult Protective Services 855. 444.3911

National Domestic Violence Hotline 800. 799.7233

SafeHouse Center 24-Hour Helpline 734.995.5444

Law Enforcement: Non-Emergency Dispatch 734.994.2911

Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office 734.971.8400

Poison Control: Michigan Poison & Drug Information Center 1.800.222.1222 (24 hour)

Power: Consumers Energy 800.477.5050 (Dial 711 if hearing impaired)

DTE/Suspected Gas Leak 800.947.5000

Ann Arbor Water 734.794.6333

Manchester Water and Sewer Services 734.428.7877

Pittsfield Township Utilities Department 734.822.3105