Lifelong Learning

Elder Law with Doris Gelbman

Tuesday, April 21, 2020 | 10:00-11:30am

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Fee: free

Writing for Healing and Growth

Monday, April 27, 2020 | 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 weekly workshop. The emphasis is on—but is 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. Leonard Tuchyner facilitates. Members only, limited availability, $15 per month. 

PLEASE CONTACT JENNIFER CREWS at (434) 974-7756 IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING THIS GROUP.

Members only.

Location: The Center

Cracking the Code to HSA, FSA, and HRA

Monday, April 27, 2020 | 6:00-7:00pm

What is the difference in an HSA (Health Saving Accounts), FSA (Flexible Spending Accounts) and HRA (Health Reimbursement Accounts)? Learn how you can pay for more of your out-of-pocket medical expenses with pre-tax dollars. Find out what qualified expenses are covered, and that massages, gym memberships, health insurance premiums and sunscreen night be deductible depending on the plan that you have! What happens to funds that are unspent each year? Join Tracy Meade, certified long-term care consultant, independent financial planner, and licensed insurance agent and consultant for the commonwealth of Virginia.  

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Fee: free

Staying Healthy with Spectrum Physical Therapy

Tuesday, April 28, 2020 | 10:00-11:00am

Tuesday, April 28

Safe Gardening. Join Erin Chapman for tips on good body mechanics and preventing injury during gardening. She will demonstrate some stretches and exercises that are beneficial for those who enjoy gardening. 

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Fee: free

Medicare Consulting - Tuesdays

Tuesday, April 28, 2020 | 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.

Members only.

Location: The Center

Fee: free

Let's Talk About Your Feet

Tuesday, April 28, 2020 | 12:00-1:00pm

Tuesday, April 28 

Arthritis in the Foot and Ankle. Join Dr. Amanda Lutter as she discusses the different types of arthritis in the foot including post-traumatic, osteo, rheumatoid, gout, and psoriatic. Dr. Lutter is a board-certified podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon in private practice. She will be available following the presentation for individual Q&A.  

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Fee: free

Beginning Spanish

Tuesday, April 28, 2020 | 1:00-2:00pm

Meets March 3,10, April 7, 28

In this year long course we use Conversational Spanish in 7 Days by Shirley Baldwin and Sarah Boas since it focuses on the most common, everyday situations you’ll encounter in Spanish-speaking countries.  Everything is explained in clear, concise English so if you have to miss a class, you can easily keep up with what we are doing in class.  We meet three times a month, and cover about a lesson a month:  during September-December we work with learning the present tense of regular verbs, in January we learn how to use object pronouns, and then in February add irregular verbs, in March stem-changing verbs, and in April reflexive verbs as we talk about daily activities.  In May we turn to a past tense, the present perfect, and then in June look forward, to the future tense.  Finally in July and August we end our year’s study of Spanish by working with the two simple past tenses.

If you are looking for a basic course in Spanish, and can commit to spending at least two to three hours a week (ideally 20-30 minutes a day!) studying Spanish, then this is the course for you!  But if you just want to learn a few phrases for travel, this course is more than you really want.  

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Fee: free

Intermediate Spanish

Tuesday, April 28, 2020 | 2:10-3:10pm

Intermediate Spanish  (Tuesdays at 2:10 pm)

Meets

In this year long course we use McGraw Hill’s Spanish Conversation by Jean Yates in the series of “Practice Makes Perfect”.  The text serves as a guide for expanding your conversational fluency through the use of realistic everyday dialogues.  The exercises in the text will be complemented by handouts that include personal questions which make use of the expressions presented in each lesson.  During September and October we shall be reviewing the two key simple past tenses, the preterit and imperfect, which were introduced at the end of the Beginning Spanish course.  In this course the student’s knowledge of the basic structure of the language will be expanded to include complex sentences with dependent noun, adjective, and adverbial clauses which often require the use of the subjunctive mood. 

We shall be meeting three times a month and cover about a lesson a month:  the first week working with the exercises in the text, the second week with the personal questions on the handouts, and the third week, completing the final exercise in the text which usually entails writing a short paragraph using as many of the expressions presented in the lesson as possible.

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Advanced Spanish

Tuesday, April 28, 2020 | 3:20-4:20pm

Advanced Spanish  (Tuesdays at 3:20 pm)

Meets March 3, 10, April 7, 28

This is an informal course for students who are fairly fluent in Spanish, designed to give them the opportunity to keep up their Spanish skills.  It meets twice a month in a tertulia like format.  The materials we use will vary.  At present we are using McGraw Hill’s Spanish Reading and Comprehension by Myrna Bell Rochester and Deana Smalley in the series of “Practice Makes Perfect”.  It provides short readings for us to discuss, followed by exercises, and includes some brief grammar review.  There is no fee for the course.

Members only.

Location: The Center

Charlottesville International Folk Dance

Wednesday, April 29, 2020 | 6:00-8:00pm

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

Apple/Mac Users Group

Thursday, April 30, 2020 | 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

American Mah Jongg: Beginner Lessons

Thursday, April 30, 2020 | 6:30-8:00pm

Thursdays, 6:30-8:00 PM, April 16-May 21 (6 weeks)

American Mah Jongg is a “centuries-old version of rummy.”  It is played at three- or four-person tables with a set of 152 Chinese-symbol tiles. The game takes a cumulative of 6 lessons to learn.  It requires A $4 purse plus a 2020 playing card ($9) that can be purchased online from the National Mah Jongg League (www.nationalmahjonggleague.org).  No money or card is required for the first 3 lessons.  Mah Jongg is fun and it stimulates the brain. Please register at The Center’s Welcome Desk or online if interested.  Contact Joyce Nunge (jnunge@comcast.net) if you have questions.  

Members only.

Location: The Center

Investors Forum - First Friday

Friday, May 1, 2020 | 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

Writing for Pleasure

Friday, May 1, 2020 | 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: Sandra Garrett sandrag992@gmail.com

Fee: free

Meditation - Living Life Fully

Tuesday, May 5, 2020 | 11:00-12:30pm

Meditation is a practical activity that can provide tangible benefits that can improve our outlook on life. This program meets on the first Tuesday of every month, and provides an introduction to meditation - it's nature, general goals, and simple techniques. Benefits of different meditation types will be discussed and participants' experiences are invited. A very simple and gentle form of meditation will be presented that requires no physical flexibility or special capabilities. There will be a short sitting of 10-15 minutes at each program.

Gerry Gorman, recently retired engineer, engineering manager, and business development executive has been a student and practitioner of meditation for over 40 years. He describes a very practical form of meditation and explores how a meditation practice can help each of us develop a healthier perspective to fully appreciate life. He and his wife, Penny, have been married for 38 years and have two grown sons. 

Members only; free

Members only.

Location: The Center

Fee: free

Discovering Scuba

Tuesday, May 5, 2020 | 6:00-7:00pm

Have you ever thought about adding scuba to your travel activities? Scuba diving is an activity suitable for adventurers of all ages. Come hear Chip Earle, PADI Master Diver Instructor and Owner of Dive Connections, share about the many opportunities and benefits diving provides – physiological benefits, learning about ocean health, local opportunities to experience scuba and weightlessness underwater. Chip has trained over 2,000 students and provided over 200 trips to divers from the Central Virginia area. He also founded SeaDevil, a Charlottesville based dive club, and created and founded Scuba Jam, a Labor Day event for youth divers throughout the area.

Free and open to the community

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Seats available: 60

Fee: free

Retirement: Now What?

Wednesday, May 6, 2020 | 10:00-12:00pm

While you were working, you may have been counting the days until you could retire. Now that it’s finally here, what do you do with your time, and more important, with the feelings you may not have anticipated?  In this interactive workshop led by Marguerite David (who holds a master’s degree in social work), participants will: discuss how today’s retirement differs from that of previous generations, identify their own personal values and feelings, and examine what gives your life purpose and meaning as you enter this next chapter of your life. What do you want to say goodbye to and what do you want to take with you? You will create a personal ecomap to identify areas of purpose and meaning as well as areas where information or support is needed. Resources, ideas, and support for these next steps in your life will also be provided. This workshop is beneficial for anyone planning to retire or who has already “retired.” For more information, you can contact Marguerite at 434-760-1330 or offtheleashcoaching@gmail.com.

Free and open to the community, but space is limited.  

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Fee: free

Book Group

Wednesday, May 6, 2020 | 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:

April 1 - The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty (group will meet offsite at University Village)

May 6th: The Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance

June 3rd: The Red Address Book by Sofia Lundberg

Members only.

Location: The Center

Contact: Rosemary Connelly, Book Group Leader rdconnelly@embarqmail.com

Fee: free

Socrates Cafe™

Thursday, May 7, 2020 | 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

Decluttering 101

Monday, May 11, 2020 | 10:00-12:00pm

Join Nan Coleman and Ester Perry as they walk you through the way to simplifying and decluttering your life. Did you know that downsizing can be done in stages, and that de-stressing your life can help those around you too? Organizing or modifying your belongings can positively benefit your lifestyle and enable you to move forward with a simpler life.

Ester Perry has 20 years’ experience working with seniors in the healthcare industry. She is the sales and marketing manager at Caring Transitions, a downsizing, relocation, and estate sales company here in Charlottesville. Nan is the owner of Caring Transitions. Come learn from these two experts how to increase your peace of mind clearly and compassionately by decluttering your personal space.

Free and open to the community.

Open to all.

Location: The Center

All Things Digital

Monday, May 11, 2020 | 1:00-2:00pm

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Money & You With Jorgen Vik

Tuesday, May 12, 2020 | 10:00-11:30am

* Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network and SKV Group, LLC are not legal or tax advisors. You should consult with your attorney, accountant and/or estate planner before taking any action.

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

PACKING TRAVEL MADE EASY - TRAVEL

Tuesday, May 12, 2020 | 6:00-7:00pm

This fun, interactive workshop will help you go from over-packer to savvy traveler. Jenny Freeman, former road warrior (business traveler) and globe trotter has a deep love for packing lists, carry-on only travel, and other travel hacks. You will learn how to select the best clothing and toiletries for every occasion, how to breeze through security, and how to develop the perfect packing list. Jenny will share why one-bag travel reduces stress, costs less, and saves your back: which items should always go in the cabin with you; how to create a mix-and-match capsule wardrobe; and different travel products that help keep travelers organized and minimalist. Participants will receive packing lists and site recommendations to plan their next voyage.

Free and open to the community.

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Fee: free

Aging Consciously

Wednesday, May 13, 2020 | 10:00-12:00pm

Join Marguerite David, M.S.W., in this rich one-day class where you will learn about conscious aging. Gain a greater understanding of how to engage in life by creating an ecomap which identifies what gives you purpose and meaning in this chapter of your life. Marguerite will also provide resources for information and support as we age. For more information, you can contact Marguerite at 434-760-1330 or offtheleashcoaching@gmail.com

Marguerite has a master’s degree in Social Work and is committed to helping people create purpose, meaning, and joy, as they make several life transitions – retirement, pet loss, health changes, aging parents, relationship changes, to name a few.

Free and open to the community.

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Current Events Talk

Wednesday, May 13, 2020 | 10:00-11:00am

2^nd and 4^th Wednesdays, 10:00-11:00 am, Begins April 22

You have been talking about current events around the dinner table. Now you have an opportunity to enjoy discussions with friends at The Center. Bob Toplin, president of the Charlottesville History Club, will serve as the initial facilitator helping to launch the first meeting. Join in a non-partisan friendly discussion of a current hot topic that will change each meeting. Bring ideas! 

Members only.

Location: The Center

Fee: free

Senior Statesmen of Virginia*

Wednesday, May 13, 2020 | 1:30-3:00pm

*Please note that Senior Statesmen of Virginia programs are independent of Center programming.

Open to all.

Location: The Center

Contact: www.seniorstatesmen.org

Investors Forum - Third Friday

Friday, May 15, 2020 | 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, May 15, 2020 | 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

Central Virginia Dowsers

Sunday, May 17, 2020 | 1:00-3:00pm

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. 

Members only.

Location: The Center

Fee: free

Pet Loss Support

Saturday, May 23, 2020 | 10:00-12:00pm

The loss of our beloved pet friends can be painful and challenging to navigate. Long-time social worker Marguerite David is offering this two-hour class for those dealing with pet loss. You will gain understanding of the grieving process and can explore your loss. Resources and ideas for honoring your pet will also be provided.  For more information, you can contact Marguerite at 434-760-1330 or offtheleashcoaching@gmail.com

Marguerite has a master’s degree in Social Work and is committed to helping people create purpose, meaning, and joy, as they make several life transitions – retirement, pet loss, health changes, aging parents, relationship changes, to name a few.

Please leave your pets at home, thank you.

Free, but please RSVP.

Members only.

Location: The Center

Seats available: 10