50+ Programs

50+ Newsletter (January/February 2010 edition) (154 KB)

Healthcare Advance Directives Seminars

You have a right to control your healthcare decisions. A Healthcare Advance Directive is a tool designed to help you:

• appoint another person to make healthcare decisions for you when you are unable to make or communicate decisions for yourself, and
• leave written instructions so that others can make those decisions based on your wishes and preferences.

In this two-session seminar, a nurse will walk you through the process of completing a Healthcare Advanced Care Directive (formerly called a Living Will). She will also discuss using it as a communication tool to start talking with your loved ones about the tough stuff in life. The first 1½-hour session will include a general explanation of the Five Wishes document and a questions and answers segment. In the second session we will be completing the document, have it notarized, and discuss further communications. Come, do this for yourself and for those you love.

Location: Central Park, 8595 Central Park Place, in the Tamarack Room
Fee: $8 per person

Holiday Stress Busters
Wouldn’t it feel good to remain calm and enjoy yourself during the holiday season? Well, you can! In this class, you will learn more than 15 safe, practical, non-invasive methods of aligning the body's natural energies to help you maintain your composure and your happiness. You will also learn strategies to determine which techniques your system desires at a given time. Please dress comfortably and bring a bottle of water. It would be helpful, but not necessary, to take Brain Gym® Introduction before this class.

Dates: Tuesday, Dec. 1 and 8
Time: 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Location: Central Park, 8595 Central Park Place, in the Tamarack Room
Fee: $50
Activity #: 55200-35

Gift Wrapping and Sassy Sisters Performance
Do you need help wrapping your holiday gifts? Volunteers will be offering this free service to Woodbury adults age 50 and older. We will have a limited number of boxes on hand, but if you would like to bring your own, we will wrap your gift in it.

Celebrate the season with the YMCA's Southeast Sassy Sisters, a community jazz dance performance group made up of ladies over the age of 55. The Sassy Sisters have been dancing up a storm around town for the past four years. Mari Kluck, artistic director, says "These gals are amazing! They range in age from 55 to over 80 and they have a ball performing." This year's performance includes dances to "Let it Snow," "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," and "Santa Baby." Then, stick around for good old fashioned holiday carol sing-a-long.

Date: Tuesday, Dec. 15
Time: Gift wrapping is from noon to 3 p.m.; performance begins at 12:30 p.m.
Location: Central Park, 8595 Central Park Place; gift wrapping will take place near the information desk; performance will take place in the amphitheater.
Fee: Free

Memoir Writing
Memoir explores those significant events in our lives, searching for deeper meaning and understanding. In this beginner’s level class, we'll explore definitions of memoir, learn the craft basics, read excerpts of memoir, and generate new writing of our own. Participants will also have the opportunity to share their writing with the class and/or instructor, on a volunteer basis. Anyone who has lived has rich material for memoir writing!

Date: Wednesdays, Jan. 6 to 27
Time: 10 a.m. to noon
Location: Central Park, 8595 Central Park Place, in the Tamarack Room
Fee: $72
Activity #: 552011-01

In the EnhanceFitness® class participants work at their own pace in a group setting, and receive personal attention from a trained instructor. Focus is on stretching, flexibility, balance, and low impact aerobics (seated if needed) for cardiovascular health, and strength training exercises.

Age: 50 & older
Location: Central Park, 8595 Central Park Place, in Valley Creek Room B

Dates: Monday, Wednesday & Friday, Jan. 4 to March 26 * ( No class on Jan. 18 and Feb. 15)
Time: 8 to 9 a.m.
Fee: $99*
Activity #: 552001-1

Dates: Wednesdays and Fridays, Jan. 6 to March 26
Time: 9 to 10 a.m.
Fee: $69*
Activity #: 552001-2

Dates: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, March 29 to June 25 (No class on May 31 and April 23)
Time: 8 to 9 a.m.
Fee: $99*
Activity #: 552001-3

Dates: Wednesdays and Fridays, March 31 to June 25 (No class on April 23)
Time: 9 to 10 a.m.
Fee: $69*
Activity #: 552001-4

*UCare for Seniors members can attend at no charge. Please provide membership card at the first class.

Tai Chi and Qigong
Tai Chi is a continuous flow of graceful movements creating a slow meditative dance. Qigong uses postures and simple movements. Both Tai Chi and Qigong direct the flow of energy and help improve the health of mind and body and spirit. These exercises are safe for all ages and most physical conditions and can be accomplished standing or sitting. Instructed by Lisa Schlingerman.

Location: Central Park, 8595 Central Park Place, Valley Creek B

Date: Tuesdays, Jan. 5 to Feb. 16
Time: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Activity #: 552002-01

Date: Tuesdays, March 16 to April 27
Time: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Activity #: 552002-02

Drawing I
Introduction to Drawing materials and concepts will be covered including topics such as composition, line, shape and shading. Instructor Jay Wittenberg is a professional artist who has been teaching in adult education since 2002. A complete list of supplies (paper and pencils) needed for the class will be printed on your receipt after you register for the class.

Age: 18 and older
Location: Central Park, 8595 Central Park Place, in the Tamarack Room
Fee: $72

Dates: Thursdays, Jan. 7 to Feb. 25
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Activity #: 552010-01

Dates: Thursdays, March 4 to April 29*
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Activity #: 552010-03

*No class no April 22

Drawing II
Instructor Jay Wittenberg continues to teach and expand on what was taught in the Beginning Drawing class. A complete list of supplies (paper and pencils) needed for the class will be printed on your receipt after you register for the class.

Age: 18 and older
Location: Central Park, 8595 Central Park Place, in the Tamarack Room
Fee: $72

Dates: Thursdays, Jan. 7 to Feb. 25
Time: 1 to 3 p.m.
Activity #: 552010-02

Dates: Thursdays, March 4 to April 29*
Time: 1 to 3 p.m.
Activity #: 552010-04

*No class no April 22

Great Decisions Discussion Group
The Great Decisions Discussion Group is designed to encourage debate and discussion about important global issues. The Briefing Book and topics are developed by the Foreign Policy Association. The group discusses a different topic at each meeting and follows the Briefing Book which provides historical background, current U.S. policy and alternate policy options, informative maps, detailed graphs, and suggested readings and resources. Pre-registration is not required. A limited number of Briefing Books will be available for purchase or can be reserved at the Stafford Branch Library.

Location: Central Park, 8595 Central Park Place, in Valley Creek Room B

Special Envoys
Special envoys can help bring attention and diplomatic muscle to resolve conflicts and global challenges but they also bring with them their own "special" problems. Will the Obama administration's reliance on special envoys increase the ability of the U.S. to deal with major international issues or complicate our diplomatic options?

Date/Time: Wednesday, Jan. 20, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Preventing Genocide
Post-election rioting in Kenya in December 2007 brought pressure on Nairobi, from international and regional diplomats, to end tensions and avert bloodshed on a massive scale. What lessons can be learned from the intervention in Kenya? What does it mean for the United Nation's emerging “responsibility to protect” doctrine?

Date/Time: Wednesday, Feb. 3, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Global Crime
From the booming sex trade in Eastern Europe, to online fraud syndicates in Africa and the drug cartels of Asia and Central America, crime is becoming increasingly organized and globalized. How can countries better protect citizens seeking the benefits of a globalized world from being exploited? What international actors can effectively fight global organized crime?

Date/Time: Wednesday, Feb. 17, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

U.S.-China Security Relations
China's influence is growing, along with its military expenditures. How will this growth affect China's relations with its neighbors and with the U.S.? Will China's expanding military and economic power affect traditional U.S. roles and U.S. alliances in East Asia? How will countries like Japan, South Korea and India respond?

Date/Time: Wednesday, March 3, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Global Financial Crisis
The global financial crisis that began in late 2007 revealed major deficiencies in the regulation of markets and institutions – all of which came perilously close to collapse. Emergency measures to prevent a full collapse of the global financial system have led to mixed results. How will governments and the world community respond to this challenge?

Date/Time: Wednesday, March 24, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

AARP Tax-Aide Program

AARP volunteers will be at Central Park every Monday starting Feb. 1 .to help file your tax returns. AARP Tax-Aide provides free tax preparation help to people with low to moderate incomes — giving special attention to people over age 60. Bring your W-2s and 1099 forms in addition to information relating to sales of stocks, bonds, real estate, etc. and social security numbers of dependents. You will need the 2009 Property Tax Statement to complete your property tax refund papers.

Location: Central Park, 8595 Central Park Place, in the Tamarack and Oak Rooms
Dates: Mondays, Feb. 1, to April 12 (service not available on Feb. 15)
Times: 2 to 6 p.m.*

*Call (651) 714-3583 to schedule an appointment that works for you. Appointments are one hour in length.

Bridge and 500
Come to Central Park and play Bridge or 500 with your friends, or meet some friends! The group will meet in the Valley Creek Room at Central Park every Thursday and Friday.

Age: 50 and older
Date: Every Thursday and Friday
Time: 1 to 3:30 p.m.
Location: Central Park, 8595 Central Park Place, in the Valley Creek Room

Bridge Lessons
Are you interested in learning how to play bridge or bush up on your bridge playing? A group meets every Monday for lessons and playing time. Lessons are free but there is a small charge for material costs. For more information, or if you plan to attend for the first time, call Fran Langevin at (651) 739-7834.

Dates: Every Monday, except Jan. 18 and Feb. 15
Times: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: Central Park, 8595 Central Park Place, in Valley Creek Room A

Duplicate Bridge
To sign up to play, call Clark Crum at (651) 414-0799.

Dates: Every Monday, except Jan. 18 and Feb. 15
Time: 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Location: Central Park, 8595 Central Park Place, in Valley Creek Room A

50+ Exercise Classes
All three classes are held at Central Park, 8595 Central Park Place, in Valley Creek Room B and meet on an ongoing/drop-in basis. $4 per time, or purchase a 10-visit punch card for $38, pay at the class.

Interval Training on Mondays
Class consists of alternating intervals of aerobic and weight training exercises; both seated and standing.

Date/Time: Every Monday (no class Jan. 18 and Feb. 15) from 9:15 to 10 a.m.

Stretch and Flex on Tuesdays
Using bands and light hand weights learn techniques to strengthen muscles and increase flexibility.

Date/Time: Every Tuesday from 9:15 to 10 a.m.

50+ Yoga/Chair Yoga on Thursdays
Focus is on mind-body connection while developing strength and flexibility. Stretching and yoga poses are done with or without the aid of a chair. Class begins and ends with relaxation and breathing.

Date/Time: Every Thursday (no class Nov. 26 and Dec. 24) from 9:15 to 10 a.m.

Driver Improvement Program

Program is coordinated by the St. Cloud State University, Minnesota Highway Safety and Research Center. A Minnesota Highway Safety certified instructor teaches the class. Driver safety, confidence and comfort are enhanced by utilizing the most up-to-date research in the field. According to Minnesota law, persons age 55 and older, who complete the course, qualify for a 10 percent discount on their auto insurance premiums for three years. First time participants must complete two four-hour sessions. Repeat participants are required to take a four-hour refresher course.

4-Hour Refresher Class
Monday, Jan. 11, from noon to 4 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 8, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Monday, March 8, from noon to 4 p.m.
Monday, April 12, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.

8-Hour First-Time Class
Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 11 and 12, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 8 and 9, from noon to 4 p.m.
Monday and Tuesday, March 8 and 9, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Monday and Tuesday, April 12 and 13, from noon to 4 p.m.

Location: Central Park, 8595 Central Park Place, in Valley Creek Room B.
Fee: $20 for the four-hour refresher course, $24 for the eight-hour program.

Call the Minnesota Highway Safety and Research Center toll free at 1-888-234-1294 for registration or more information.

Adult Trips and Tours
Senior programs are offered to all adults in cooperation with the South Washington County Senior Center.

Mail-in or walk-in registrations at:

• South Washington County Senior Center
• Community Education, District Program Center, 8400 E. Pt. Douglas Road S., Cottage Grove

For further information, contact the Senior Center at (651) 458-6650.

Bus schedules include stops at:

• South Washington County Senior Center
• Newport Lutheran Church, 900 15th Street, Newport
• Central Park, 8595 Central Park Place, Woodbury