Weekly Ann Arbor Senior Center Newsletter

Word of the Week: Liminal – Being in a meaningful space between endings and beginnings.

Quote of the Week: “The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.” — Harriet Jacobs

Give us your feedback Ann Arbor is reviewing its outdoor warning siren system and asking the community for feedback. The sirens are rarely used, need maintenance and primarily alert people outdoors, while newer tools like mobile phone alerts can deliver clearer, more detailed emergency information. If the sirens are decommissioned, the city would continue using multiple modern alert systems and expand public education to ensure residents stay informed and prepared during emergencies. Tell city officials what you think about the outdoor warning siren system by responding to an online survey before the end of March. Click here.

Drop-in Line Dancing

Tuesdays, March 24 and 31, noon-1 p.m. All Line Dancing participants welcome! If you participate in our WCC Senior Focus class, this is an hour to practice in between the winter and summer semesters. Not in one of our classes? No problem - come and meet new people! Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Contact 734.794.6250. Free for members; $2, nonmembers.

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. Come find out! 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. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care - The Key Differences and Costs

Friday, March 27, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Join Stephanie Crane from Next Steps 4 Seniors for this educational workshop. Learn the different levels of assisted living communities; how to finance and prepare for these transitions; and other tips! Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

Educational Presentation Workshop: Learning in Retirement with Elderwise

Monday, March 30, 11 a.m.- noon. Join Elderwise Learning for this casual educational presentation on learning in retirement! Learn about the importance of lifelong learning; the different types of classes offered; and ways to get involved with lifelong learning. Elderwise is a nonprofit, independent, lifelong learning organization dedicated to offering continuing education to learners of all ages. Preregistration required. Click here or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

Drop-in Tai Chi

Wednesdays, April 1-May 6, 10:30-11:30 a.m. (No drop-in April 22). All tai chi participants welcome. If you participate in either of our WCC Senior Focus tai chi classes, this is an hour to practice in between the summer and fall semester. Not in one of our classes? No problem! Come and meet new people. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Contact 734.794.6250. Free for members; $2, nonmembers.

Travels With George: Journeys to New Zealand and Los Angeles (and Somehow Back Again)

Thursday, April 2, 1:30-4 p.m. Join us on a travelogue with host George Jabol! This travelogue, hosted by George Jabol, is about a journey to other-worldly places. Our first stop lasts four nights for visits to Los Angeles and its suburb, Hollywood, where fantasy rules. At Universal Studios we’ll encounter Beetlejuice and the Death mobile from the movie Animal House. Then we’ll go to the bottom of our planet for a ten-day cruise around New Zealand’s North and South Islands. Open to all ages 18+. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

Beginner Birding Series 

First Mondays, April 6-Oct. 5, 9-10 a.m. Join parks staff as we explore different parks and learn about the birds that live within them. We will focus on topics such as migration, bird songs, nesting behavior, and more! Binoculars are provided. This series will have a mix of dirt and paved trails, and we will go on a slow stroll for about a mile. Bring adequate shoes/clothes, a water bottle, and anything else you may need for a hike! Walk dates and locations include: April 6: Island Park; May 4: Barton Nature Area; June 1: Forest Nature Area; July 6: Mary Beth Doyle Park; Aug. 3: Eberwhite Woods; Aug. 31: Ruthven Nature Area; Oct. 5: Gallup Park. Preregistration required for each walk. Click walk dates to register 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. 

Senior Support Consultations

The Second Wednesday of Every Month, 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, click links to sign up online, current openings are: April 8: 9:30-10:30 a.m. or 10:30-11:30 a.m. Call 734.794.6250. ​​​Free of charge.

Drive-Thru: Brain Boosters

Wednesday, April 8, noon-1 p.m. Join Visiting Angels and swing by our spring Brain Boosters drive-thru for a fun and easy way to keep your mind sharp! Pick up free activity packs filled with puzzles, brain teasers, memory tips, and resources to help keep your mind active and engaged. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here or call 734.794.6250. Free for members; $5 nonmembers. ​

Simple Spring Snacks: Spring Rolls

Tuesday, April 14, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 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. Cost is $5.

Michigan’s Own: The Hidden History of Gerald Ford

Tuesday, April 14, 2-3:30 p.m. Join the Gerald Ford Presidential Library for an intimate look at the life of Michigan’s only president, from his days as a University of Michigan football star to his unexpected rise to the White House. We will uncover surprising facts about his journey and explore the "hidden history" of a man who led the nation through a period of profound change. You will also get a sneak peek at upcoming public programs and the new "America at 250" exhibit at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Preregistration required. Click here or call 734.794.6250. Free of charge.

Nordic Walking

Mondays, April 20-May 4, 10-11 a.m. Nordic Walking originated in Finland and is now a very popular fitness trend that uses specially designed poles and involves applying force to the poles with each stride. It’s a great cardiovascular exercise, improves posture, reduces impact on joints, strengthens the core and upper body, and burns more calories compared to regular walking. Nordic Walking is done by all ages and fitness levels. Our instructor, Inge Gaiser is a semi-retired physical therapist and lives in Ann Arbor and has taught classes since 2008. Each of the four weeks will visit a different park including Furstenberg, Parker Mill, and County Farm. Equipment provided. The first class will meet at the Burns Park Shelter, 1300 Baldwin Ave. (across the park from the Senior Center). The last three classes will meet at different parks. Preregistration required. Click here to register or call 734.794.6250. Cost is free for members; $20, nonmembers.

Tech Talks: AI and the Future

Friday, April 24, 11 a.m.-noon. Is AI really that big of a deal? Why does our tech keep changing, where is it going, and how will it affect seniors? Come find out! 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.

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.

Lunch & Learn: Reverse Mortgage Options & What is Your Home's Equity?

Wednesday, April 29, 12-1 p.m. Join Cross Country Mortgage and LIVGreat Real Estate for this informative and fun event! 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

Movement for Joy

Wednesdays, 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, April 1, 15, AND 22, 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.

Blueg​​rass Jam​​

Wednesdays, March 25, April 8 and 22, 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: Supervised Play

Friday, April 14, 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. These sessions are designed for beginners and low, intermediate players who wish to improve their bidding, declarer and defensive play. The sessions will be run with students playing seven-nine hands per session. Hands will be analyzed after completion to review the bidding, play and defense. 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. Drop in only, no registration required. Players will be partnered with people of the same skill level when possible. Open to all ages 18+. Instructor: Ray Gentz. Located at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave. Call 734.794.6250. Cost is $10, members; $12, nonmembers.

Bridge II, Play of the Hand, Part III

Mondays, April 20-July 20, 9:30-11:30 a.m. (No class May 25). 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. 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: $15, members; $17, nonmembers).

Bridge Defense – Part III

Tuesdays, April 28-July 21, 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 lectures 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. 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: $15, members; $17, nonmembers).

Bridge Conventions with Supervised Play

Tuesdays, April 28-June 30, 1-3 p.m. This class is for advanced beginner through middle intermediate players who wish to learn new bidding and defense conventions, as well as review former ones like Stayman, Jacoby Transfers, Blackwood, opening leads, and more. No text needed! Handouts will be provided. Each class will start with 20-45 minutes of presentation on the topic at hand, followed by play where students will bid and play hands from the previous days’ duplicate game. Hands are analyzed after completion to review the bidding, play, and defense. Open to all ages. Prerequisites: Bridge for Beginners Parts I and II or instructor approval. 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: $60, members; $72, nonmembers (Drop in fee: $15, members; $17, nonmembers). ​

Out & About A2

Redrawing the Map

Wednesday, March 25, 3-7 p.m. The City of Ann Arbor and University of Michigan School of Information are seeking volunteers for a short user testing session focused on digital map accessibility. No technical expertise is required! We are testing the maps, not you. Participants can sign up for a 30-minute session. During the session, participants will: Explore City of Ann Arbor digital maps; Share what works well and what barriers they encounter; Help improve the accessibility of public information. Participants should use their own device and any assistive technology they normally rely on. This ensures feedback reflects real-world use. Located at the Downtown Library or remote via Zoom. To sign up or learn more, contact Jenna Truong at jtruong@a2gov.org or 734-794-6000 ext. 41290.