Lifelong Learning

Writing for Healing and Growth

Monday, July 22, 2019 | 10:00-12:00pm

Anyone who has ever kept a journal, written stories about his or her life, or just let the pencil do the talking knows that writing is indeed a powerful instrument for fulfillment, growth, and healing. Writing that comes from the heart and mind gives expression to that which is uniquely us. Experience the adventure of writing in this 8-week workshop. The emphasis is on—but not limited to—the writing of memoirs. This is not a critique group; it is designed to provide the support that people need to tell their stories. Strict rules of privacy and confidentiality will be observed. Must register at the Center’s front desk. Leonard Tuchyner facilitates.

CLASS IS CURRENTLY FULL. PLEASE RSVP TO BE PLACED ON THE WAITING LIST. MEMBERS ONLY. FEE is $15/MONTH.

Members only.

Location: The Center

Contact: Senior Center 974-7756

AARP Smart Driver Safety Course - July

Monday, July 22, 2019 | 12:30-4:30pm

Meets Monday, July 22 & Tuesday, July 23 from 12:30 - 4:30PM  You Must Attend Both Sessions

The AARP Smart Driver Course is a refresher course designed to meet the needs of older drivers, 50+.  This course emphasizes how to adjust your driving in response to age related physical changes and declining perceptual skills, rules of the road, local driving problems, safety tips, and license renewal requirements.  Auto insurance companies offer a discount to course graduates.  This is a two day program; participants must attend BOTH days to receive a Certificate to satisfy auto insurance rules.  Open to all.  Cost:  $20.00 per person if non-AARP member, $15.00 per person for AARP member.  Fees are payable by cash or check to AARP (not the Center).  Participants must sign up at the Welcome Desk for the course, and provide full name, dates of class, and phone number.  Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before the class begins and plan to pay for the course on the first class meeting day.

This course will be repeated on Tuesday, August 13, and Wednesday, August 14, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Fee: free

Medicare Consulting - Tuesdays

Tuesday, July 23, 2019 | 10:00-12:00pm

Are you ready for Medicare? Do you need help navigating the system? Do you have lots of questions? Do you know when and where to sign up? Phyllis Payne, licensed insurance agent, will answer your questions. Phyllis Payne will assist with health insurance claims and long term planning care and to answer questions about medical insurance. Call Phyllis at 434.960.5833 to schedule an appointment.

Location: The Center

Fee: free

Advanced Beginner's Spanish

Tuesday, July 23, 2019 | 2:10-3:10pm

Class meeting dates:

May 7 and 28

June 11, 18 and 25

July 9, 16 and 23 (offsite)

August 13, 20 and 27

This class is for those who have completed the " Taste of Spanish" class or who have an equivalent knowledge of the language.  Prospective students should know the present, present perfect, future and simple past tenses as well as how object pronouns are used.  The text to be used in the class is from the McGraw Hill Practice Makes Perfect Series Spanish Conversation by Jean Yates ($16, available from Barnes & Noble  or on line from them or Amazon).  Class meets all year round; specific future dates TBA.

SPACE IS LIMITED! REGISTER HERE OR AT THE CENTER WELCOME DESK.

Location: The Center

Secrets of Paying for College

Tuesday, July 23, 2019 | 5:30-7:30pm

For many families, the high cost of higher education is a daunting proposition. Parents lie awake at night trying to figure out how to afford sending their children to college and still have enough of their hard-earned money to be able to retire one day. Even grandparents and relatives are wondering what they can do to help.  Join us for this workshop, presented by financial advisors from The College Funding Coach, where participants will learn how to attend private colleges for the same cost as public, get an insider’s view of the college admissions process, learn how to pay for multiple children attending simultaneously, and much more! Free and open to the public.

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Fee: free

Creating a Bird-Friendly Environment at Home

Wednesday, July 24, 2019 | 11:00-12:00pm

Wednesday, July 24, 11:00 AM– 12:00 PM

Let Scott Karr, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited, introduce you to the entertaining world of backyard birding.  Learn how to identify and attract native and migratory birds to your yard with appropriate food and shelter. Also learn tips for how to deal with bird-feeding challenges like squirrels! Free and open to the community.

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Fee: free

Charlottesville International Folk Dance

Wednesday, July 24, 2019 | 6:30-8:30pm

Beginning dances are taught by experienced teachers. Community dances from Eastern Europe are primarily the focus. Please join us for these communal village dances and enjoy the friendship of a small group. For information, please call Susan Roberts at (434)409-0264 or go to the web site: seniorcenter.org/calendar/events/54/ or charlottesvilleinternationalfolkdance.com/.

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Fee: free

Investment Visions Group

Thursday, July 25, 2019 | 10:00-12:00pm

The original investment club was formed in 1991 to allow members to invest in the stock market and learn how to maintain a profitable portfolio. Today, as the Investment Visions Club, members contribute money (currently $30/month) to a partnership to provide the capital with which to invest through a brokerage account. Meeting attendance and participation in the research, examination, and evaluation of various stocks is expected of partners, each of whom has a vote to hold, buy, or sell a stock. Experience is helpful but not required, as training is provided on market terms, evaluation techniques, etc. Participation is also on the social side; while the club strives to make some money, the main reason for meeting is to learn, be social, and have fun.

Members only.

Location: The Center

Contact: Don Whitford 434.985.3964

Fee: free

Apple/Mac Users Group

Thursday, July 25, 2019 | 1:00-3:00pm

Apple/Mac classes are held for both new and experienced Apple product users. Clay Sisk coordinates meetings; contact him via email to receive weekly program announcements. In the first hour, some Mac basics and utilities for new users are covered, and then other topics as detailed on their email announcement. In the second hour, iPad and iPhone basics and accessories are covered. If you want to be on the Apple/Mac email list, send a message to Clay Sisk at siskva@mac.com This mailing has many valuable links for Apple/Mac users. Free for Senior Center members.

Members only.

Location: The Center

Contact: Clay Sisk

Fee: free

Le Cercle Français

Thursday, July 25, 2019 | 2:00-3:00pm

LE CERCLE FRANCAIS Welcome to our friendly, informal, Francophone “Cercle” every 2nd and 4th Thursday..

Members only.

Location: The Center

Fee: free

Writing for Pleasure

Friday, July 26, 2019 | 12:00-2:00pm

What you have to say matters ... Why not say it in writing? Come discover and share your best style! All genres and experience levels welcome. Weekly "Writing for Pleasure" meetings are members only, but monthly coffeehouses are open to all.  As always, free and open to the communities. Coffee provided. Munchies to share welcomed.

Members only.

Location: The Center

Contact: Ella Rea Murphy 434.9973.9786 or ellarmurphy@gmail.com

Fee: free

Enjoying Short Stories

Friday, July 26, 2019 | 2:15-4:15pm

ENJOYING SHORT STORIES

Fridays, beginning March 1, 2:15 to 4:15 PM

If you enjoy robust literature written by a variety of authors but only have a little extra time to read each week, this may be the program for you.  The agenda for the first meeting will be a discussion of Isaac Asimov’s “The Fun They Had” (copies available at the meeting) as well as conversation to determine the next selections to tackle.  Free to members but first time guests welcome!

Members only.

Location: The Center

Fee: free

Staying Healthy with Spectrum Physical Therapy

Tuesday, July 30, 2019 | 10:00-11:00am

Tuesday, June 25, 10:00 - 11:00 AM

Deep Breathing and Relaxation - Most of us take breathing for granted; after all, we've been doing it all our lives!  But did you know that if you practice deep breathing, you can further benefit with a reduction in stress, blood pressure, and cardiovascular function; a strengthening of the core muscles of your body; and a relief of general body aches and pains?  Join Erin Chapman to learn how to breathe efficiently.

Tuesday, July 30, 10:00 – 11:00 AM

All About Knees - Physical Therapist Erin Chapman will discuss the origins of common knee pains, demonstrate general strength and knee stabilization exercises, and provide tips to prevent further injury.  Free and open to the community.

Tuesday, August 27, 10:00 – 11:00 AM

Posture and Alignment - When your body is misaligned, you can experience all manner of pain and discomfort as well as limited mobility.  Join Physical Therapist Erin Chapman as she reviews methods to attain and maintain proper posture to keep you functionally mobile.  Free and open to the community.

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Fee: free

Taste of Spanish for Beginners

Tuesday, July 30, 2019 | 1:00-2:00pm

Class meeting dates:

May 7 and 28

June 11, 18 and 25

July 9, 16, and 30 (offsite)

August 13, 20 and 27

This class is for the beginner with little or no knowledge of the Spanish language. The recommended book for class is Conversational Spanish in 7 Days by Shirley Baldwin and Sarah Boos.  This book can be purchased on line from Barnes & Noble or Amazon for under $10. Free and open to the community!

Helen Ida Moyer is the instructor.  She is a graduate of UVa with a doctorate in Spanish and has traveled extensively in Spain, Mexico, and Central and South America. The classes are free (except for materials) and open to the community. Space is limited; registration requested online or through the Center Welcome Desk.

(class meets all year round; specific future dates TBA)

Location: The Center

Eight Myths of Hospice Care

Tuesday, July 30, 2019 | 1:00-2:00pm

Have you always thought Hospice is a place you go when all other options have been exhausted? That services are expensive and only offered to patients during the last few days of life?  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Hospice is about improving the quality of life and providing support, comfort, and dignity to patients as well as their families. Join Dr. Ronald Sykes with Hospice of the Piedmont for this very informative session. Free and open to the community.

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Fee: free

Socrates Cafe™

Thursday, August 1, 2019 | 3:00-5:00pm

Meet the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month

Socrates Café is a group of people who are interested in discussing topics which arouse philosophical ideas and thoughts among the members of the group. Any source if fair game, from education to politics, religion to cultural attitudes; lively discussion takes place no mattter what the discussion. Chris Phillips, author and co-founder of The Society for Philosophical Inquiry, developed the idea of Socrates Café™ to do as Socrates did, bring philosophy to the every day individual: “It's a dialogue where people discover their unique philosophical perspectives and worldviews as they lock hearts and minds with other people.” Join our gatherings at which participants propose and choose the questions and take turns facilitating the discussions. To learn more about the concept, visit www.philosopher.org. 

Members only.

Location: The Center

Fee: free

Investors Forum - First Friday

Friday, August 2, 2019 | 10:00-11:30am

Investors meet twice a month to discuss the stock and bond markets, and investment strategies.  After general discussion, we usually focus on a specific topic.  No money is collected or invested by this group.  Investors of all levels are welcome.  

A related Health of the Market website is updated every Saturday.

A list of favorite investment websites can be found here.

Members only.

Location: The Center

Contact: Bruce Saunders at (434) 245-0605 or saundershsd@earthlink.net for more information or to join the e-mail notification list.

Fee: free

Introduction to Drawing

Friday, August 2, 2019 | 12:00-2:00pm

CALL WELCOME DESK FOR AVAILABILITY! (434) 974-7756

Fridays, August 2 - September 20 (8 classes)

In this 8-week series taught by Susan Patrick, students will learn to draw real objects from direct observation. Students will investigate form, line, shape, space, and texture and will use them as elements in their drawings.  Also, students will learn to employ both aerial and linear perspective to add realism to their work and will learn the basics behind portrait drawing. Students will need paper and pencil for this course.

People of all ability levels are welcome to participate. Members - $75; Guests - $85. Space is limited. Sign up at the Welcome Desk or online

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Keeping Up Your Spanish

Tuesday, August 6, 2019 | 3:20-4:20pm

Tuesdays, 3:20 pm

Class meeting dates:

 May 7 and 28

June 11 and 25

July 9 and 16

August 6 (offsite), 13 abd 27

(class meets all year round)

This class is for intermediate and advanced students to give Spanish speakers in our community the opportunity to become acquainted, whereby any native speakers would be helping non-native speakers develop their skills in the language and culture. The recommended workbook is from the McGraw Hill Practice Makes Perfect Series Spanish Reading and Comprehension by Myrna Bell Rochester with Deana Smalley ($15 - $16 and can be purchased on line from Barnes & Noble or Amazon ). Free and open to the community.

Helen Ida Moyer facilitates the class. She holds a PhD in Spanish from UVa and has traveled extensively in Spain, Mexico, and Central and South America. 

Location: The Center

Book Group

Wednesday, August 7, 2019 | 11:00-12:00pm

This enthusiastic group meets monthly to discuss items of current mutual interest – mainly contemporary works, fiction and non-fiction.  Participants make suggestions, the group selects the books for group reading, and everyone enjoys sharing their impressions and feedback on the work of the month.

Upcoming Selections:

August 7: The Code Girls by Lisa Mundy

September 4: Before the Fall by Noah Hawley

October 2: Between Shades of Gray by Ruth Sepetys

November 6: The Vatican Connection by Richard Hammer

December 4: TBA

Members only.

Location: The Center

Contact: Mimi Rabois, Book Group Leader mrabois@icloud.com

Fee: free

Investment Visions Group

Thursday, August 8, 2019 | 10:00-12:00pm

The original investment club was formed in 1991 to allow members to invest in the stock market and learn how to maintain a profitable portfolio. Today, as the Investment Visions Club, members contribute money (currently $30/month) to a partnership to provide the capital with which to invest through a brokerage account. Meeting attendance and participation in the research, examination, and evaluation of various stocks is expected of partners, each of whom has a vote to hold, buy, or sell a stock. Experience is helpful but not required, as training is provided on market terms, evaluation techniques, etc. Participation is also on the social side; while the club strives to make some money, the main reason for meeting is to learn, be social, and have fun.

Members only.

Location: The Center

Contact: Don Whitford 434.985.3964

Fee: free

All Things Digital

Monday, August 12, 2019 | 1:00-2:30pm

Monday, July 8, 1:00 – 2:30 PM

The Apple Watch: A Computer You Wear

First introduced in 2015 in response to the growing interest in fitness and activity tracking, the Apple Watch also included heart rate monitoring at the touch of a button as well as many useful iPhone features (timers, daily reminders, calendar events, etc.) on the watch face itself.  The newest Version 4 has added significant health monitoring data such as ECG (electrocardiogram) tracking and Fall Detection, making this device potentially life-saving. Join hosts George Nowacek and Clay Sisk as they introduce the features of the watch and how you might benefit from them. You can even make and receive phone calls with it; eat your heart out, Dick Tracy! Free and open to the community.

Monday, August 12, 1:00 – 2:30 PM

Mobile and Computer Security

Derrick Gerstmann and RJ Jones of FlossTech return to discuss mobile phone and computer security issues, including how to protect your technology from viruses and how to eliminate (or at least reduce) spam.  Free and open to the community.

Open to all.

Location: The Center

AARP Smart Driver Safety Course - August

Tuesday, August 13, 2019 | 9:00-1:00pm

Meets Tuesday, August 13 & Wednesday, August 14 from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM  You Must Attend Both Sessions

The AARP Smart Driver Course is a refresher course designed to meet the needs of older drivers, 50+.  This course emphasizes how to adjust your driving in response to age related physical changes and declining perceptual skills, rules of the road, local driving problems, safety tips, and license renewal requirements.  Auto insurance companies offer a discount to course graduates.  This is a two day program; participants must attend BOTH days to receive a Certificate to satisfy auto insurance rules.  Open to all.  Cost:  $20.00 per person if non-AARP member, $15.00 per person for AARP member.  Fees are payable by cash or check to AARP (not the Center).  Participants must sign up at the Welcome Desk for the course, and provide full name, dates of class, and phone number.  Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before the class begins and plan to pay for the course on the first class meeting day.

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Fee: free

Money & You With Jorgen Vik

Tuesday, August 13, 2019 | 10:00-11:30am

Jorgen Vik, CFP®, is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and partner of the SKV Group, LLC, a Charlottesville based wealth management company. Jorgen has worked in the financial services industry since 2001. Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (WFAFN), Member SIPC. SKV Group is a separate entity from WFAFN.

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Fee: free

Senior Statesmen of Virginia

Wednesday, August 14, 2019 | 1:30-3:00pm

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Contact: www.seniorstatesmen.org

Smart Phone? Smart Photos!

Thursday, August 15, 2019 | 6:00-7:00pm

Charlottesville Camera Club member Liz Marshall presents a session on images taken exclusively with her iPhone.  See how these photos pop on paper, canvas, and acrylic.  These images can also be digitally made into books.  This is a session to see how well smart phone results compare or compete with those from traditional cameras.  Come to be inspired; your phone can be your camera too! This is NOT a one-on-one session on “how to use your cell phone.”  Free and open to the public.

Liz has been a member of the Charlottesville Camera Club since 2013.  She won the Shyan Award that year as Best Category “B” Photographer of the Year.  In 2015 Liz made the shift to using her iPhone as her only camera and has continued to win awards.  Her “Wedding Shoes Blues” won the 2019 Best Overall Image in the Assigned “A” Category.

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Fee: free

Investors Forum - Third Friday

Friday, August 16, 2019 | 10:00-11:30am

Investors meet twice a month to discuss the stock and bond markets, and investment strategies.  After general discussion, we usually focus on a specific topic.  No money is collected or invested by this group.  Investors of all levels are welcome.  

A related Health of the Market website is updated every Saturday.

A list of favorite investment websites can be found here.

Members only.

Location: The Center

Contact: Bruce Saunders at (434) 245-0605 or saundershsd@earthlink.net for more information or to join the e-mail notification list.

Fee: free

Long Term Care Insurance Q&A

Friday, August 16, 2019 | 11:00-12:00pm

Tracy Meade will guide you through any questions you have about long term care insurance. If you have inquiries about an existing policy, you are welcome to bring the policy with you. Please note that space is very limited; there are only 2 appointments available each month. Please register at the Welcome Desk. (434) 974-7756.

Members only.

Location: The Center

Fee: free

Elder Law with Attorney Doris Gelbman

Tuesday, August 20, 2019 | 10:00-11:00am

WILL NOT MEET IN JULY

Tuesday, August 20, 10:00 – 11:30 am

I Have a Diagnosis- Now What? Have you or a loved one just been diagnosed with a progressive, chronic or potentially terminal illness? Alzheimer’s? Parkinson’s? Cancer? This can be overwhelming, and the ability to make decisions can be a challenge. Who will make decisions for you when you no longer can? Consider these things now in a relaxed atmosphere where you can get answers you need without an expensive visit to a law firm. (Note: Individual legal advice cannot be provided in this setting). Free and open to the community.

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Fee: free

Central Virginia Dowsers

Sunday, September 8, 2019 | 1:15-3:00pm

Dowsing is an ancient art of searching for information with or without the assistance of a tool such as a forked stick or pendulum. Surveyors, archaeologists, health practitioners, business men and women and more use this art for information and to solve problems. The Central Virginia Dowsers invite you to learn about the art of dowsing and how it can be used in almost every aspect of life.  Beginners and experienced welcome! For more information, contact Roxanne Louise at 434-263-4337. 

Location: The Center

Fee: free

Planning for Your Retirement

Tuesday, September 10, 2019 | 6:00-8:00pm

This four-week program meets on consecutive Tuesdays, September 10, 17, 24, and October 1, 6:00 – 8:00 PM

This course will be repeated on Thursdays, October 3, 10, 17, and 24, 5:30 – 7:30 PM

Cost is $20 for the four-week series.  Scholarships are available.

Primarily aimed at those approaching retirement or even just thinking about it, this training is designed to teach the benefits and risks of investing.  Jorgen Vik, Certified Financial Planner professional and Partner with SKV Group, will introduce specialized vocabulary associated with different types of investing and will explore the impacts of the economy and financial markets on investing. Participants will be introduced to the process of creating a retirement budget that plans for inflation and predicts future income and expenses. They will discover their own risk tolerance, how relationships affect money, and ways to align investments with personal financial goals as well as gain an ability to estimate retirement income and calculate net worth.  Learn how to create a portfolio that will work for you to allow you to have the retirement when and how you’ve imagined it.  Please register in advance at the Welcome Desk or online.

*Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (WFAFN), Member SIPC. SKV Group is a separate entity from WFAFN.

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Religion, Science and Spirituality

Friday, September 13, 2019 | 10:00-11:30am

WILL NOT MEET IN JULY OR AUGUST.

Open to all.

Location: The Center

How to Navigate Long Distance Care

Thursday, September 19, 2019 | 10:00-11:00am

Did you know that nearly 15 million Americans provide unpaid care to an older adult making them more likely to have physical and emotional health problems themselves? Come join us and learn how to manage your own stress, locate neighborhood resources, stay in contact, and plan visits. Presented by Candace Schoner, Director of Intake and Community Relations for Visiting Angels of Charlottesville. Candace has been a long-distant caregiver for her mother for over five years.

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Fee: free

Medicare Special Plans - What's Right for You?

Wednesday, September 25, 2019 | 11:00-12:00pm

MEDICARE PLANS – What’s Right for You?

Medicare can be so confusing! If you are just signing up for Medicare, or if you already belong but aren’t sure you have registered for everything that you need, this is the session for you.  If you have Medicare A & B and Full Medicaid (CCC+) then you may be eligible for additional benefits and this is the session for you, too. Come find out what you need to do to take full advantage of the Medicare benefits available, and have some fun hosted by presenter Sharon Accardo at the same time.  Free and open to the community.

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Fee: free

Understanding The Aging Brain

Thursday, September 26, 2019 | 10:00-11:00am

The brain is a complex organ, and like the rest of our bodily organs, it ages over time. Some people may develop brain aging diseases that abnormally affect memory, cognition, and daily functioning. The symptoms of these diseases can be scary and overwhelming to older adults and their families. Join Christine Shaw of Home Instead Senior Care to:

•        Learn how aging affects the brain;

•        Understand the differences among brain aging diseases;

•        Identify ways abnormal brain aging can affect daily life; and,

•        Discover resources to recommend to older adults and their families.

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Fee: free