EVENTS
Game Club – starting Monday, October 18th and every Monday following from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at our Ralph & Jenny Center located at 9 New Washington Street (behind the Holiday Inn.) Please join us as we play a wide variety of board and card games. Please RSVP to Maureen Bastardi at 617-625-6600, ext. 2335 or email Maureen at mbastardi@somervillema.gov .

Nutrition Classes – In-person, Mondays at 1:00 p.m. at our Ralph & Jenny Center located at 9 New Washington Street and Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. at our Holland Street Center located at 167 Holland Street. Virtual classes are offered Monday at 11am via Zoom. New and returning members are welcome! To RSVP please call Mary Marshall at 617-625-6600, ext. 2316 or email her at headtofitness10@yahoo.com. Masks are required.
Ageless Grace Program – every Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. Ageless Grace is a fitness and wellness program consisting of 21 simple exercise tools designed for all ages and abilities. These exercises, based on everyday movements, focus on the healthy longevity of the body and mind. Classes are held via Zoom. Please contact Chris Kowaleski at 617-625-6600 ext. 2315 or email ckowaleski@somervillema.gov with any questions or for additional information.
Walking Group –Fridays at 9:30 a.m. The walking group will meet in front of the Holland Street Center and will enjoy walks through area neighborhoods. All classes and groups will be limited in participation and will follow City of Somerville social distancing and mask policy. Pre-registration is required. For additional information or to register for the program, contact Chris Kowaleski by email at ckowaleski@somervillema.gov or by phone at 617-625-6600 ext. 2315.
Fit-4-Life Exercise Classes—Mondays and Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m & 11:00 a.m.—In-person, indoor classes will resume the week of September 20th at the Holland Street Center. Each class will focus on strength, balance and flexibility. Pre-registration is required as classes will be limited; masks will be required. Please contact Chris Kowaleski at 617-625-6600 ext. 2315 or email ckowaleski@somervillema.gov with any questions or for additional information.
English Conversation – Mondays at 10:30 a.m. – At the Ralph & Jenny Center located at 9 New Washington Street (Behind the Holiday Inn.) Meet people from all over the world as we discuss a range of topics. No books – no test – just friendly conversation. This program is in person; pre-registration is required as space is limited. Please contact Maureen Bastardi at MBastardi@Somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600, ext. 2335 to RSVP.
Men’s Group – Tuesday, October 5th 10:30 to 11:30 -Our popular men’s group will be returning the first Tuesday of the month to in-person programing this September. New and returning members are welcome. Please RSVP to Norbert DeAmato at ndeamato@hotmail.com
Forest Flow Mindfulness with Libby Curtis Webb – Monday, October 25th at 12:00 p.m. at the Holland Street Center. Come join us for fall morning of gentle exercise and mindfulness. Whether you are new to spending time in nature or are a seasoned tree hugger, our approach to finding flow in the forest is safe, supportive, and inclusive. All Forest Flow experiences include gentle body and mind warmups, walking with awareness, nature meditation, and group reflection. By practicing mindfulness in nature, we bring attention to our inner life and build compassionate engagement with the natural world. Nature therapy benefits include: Relieves stress and anxiety, improves mood, boosts immunity and cultivates feelings of happiness. Please call Debby Higgins at dhiggins@somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600 ext. 2321 to reserve your spot.
Ralph & Jenny Bingo with Grab n’ Go Lunch – Tuesdays, October 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th – Located at 9 New Washington Street (Behind the Holiday Inn.) Join us for in-person Bingo! Pre-registration is required as space is limited. Please contact Connie Lorenti at 617-625-6600, ext. 2319 to RSVP. Masks will be required. Grab and go lunch available following Bingo.
Holland Street Bingo and Grab n’ Go Lunch – Thursdays, October 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th beginning at 10:00 a.m. – At our Holland Street Center located at 167 Holland Street. Join us for in-person Bingo! Pre-registration is required as space is limited. Please contact Connie Lorenti at 617-625-6600, ext. 2319 to RSVP. Mask will be required. Grab and go lunch available following Bingo.

Yoga – In Person – Tuesday, October 12th and Tuesday, October 26th at 10:00 a.m. Easy-to-follow program lets you stretch and relax. Yoga provides modified, low-impact moves and easy-to-follow pacing for a healthy, active lifestyle. Please RSVP to Chris Kowaleski at 617-625-6600, ext. 2315 or email Chris at CKowaleski@Somervillema.gov .

Book Club – Friday, October 15th at 10:00 a.m. – Do you love books and want to discuss your love of reading with others? Consider joining book club. Pelosi by Molly Ball will be discussed. Please contact Natasha at 617-625-6600, ext. 2317. Group meets in person at 167 Holland St. and concurrently via Zoom. Please RSVP by calling Natasha Naim at 617-625-6600 or email Natasha at nnaim@somervillema.gov as space is limited.
Open Enrollment – Thursday, October 15th until Tuesday, December 7th at the Holland Street Center. Medicare recipients are able to change their health insurance plans for January 1st of the following year. While having the freedom to change your health insurance plan can save you money, there are many health insurance plans and companies to choose from. You don’t have to make a decision alone, the Somerville Council on Aging has SHINE Counseling available in person, over the phone or on Zoom to assist you with finding out what health insurance options are available to you. You can call Natasha Naim at 617-625-6600, ext. 2317 to book an appointment.
Music & Movement – Thursday, October 21st at 4:00 p.m. Join Steve as he plays guitar, sings and leads gentle movements. Just tapping your toe or singing along can help move your body in new ways. Being physically active is not just good for our bodies, but it is also one of Mental Health America’s 10 tools to building resiliency; or the ability to overcome obstacles and manage through tough times. Physical activity can improve sleep, increase energy, decrease some kinds of pain, boast our immune systems and lower the risk for stroke and some cancers. It also helps to reduce our anxiety, depression, stress and tension. Join Steve as he shows us that exercise can come in all different forms and movements. This program is in person, pre-registration is required as space is limited. Please RSVP to Natasha Naim at nnaim@Somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600 ext. 2317.

Music & Munch – Wednesday, October 21st and October 27th at noontime. Why not pair your lunch with a celebration of music? This 45-minute session via Zoom will treat you to a playlist of diverse musical offerings: a little jazz, some “oldies but goodies,” a smidgen of classical, a dip into barbershop, a trip to Broadway. The music is taped but the experience is live. Your guide is Somerville Resident, Laura Zoll, trained as a medieval musicologist and with a life-long love of all things musical. Your preferences will help shape the session. Learn a little, sing-along, relax and enjoy some Music while you Munch. Please RSVP to Natasha Naim at nnaim@somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600 ext. 2317. You will then receive your email invitation to join the program via ZOOM.
Arts & Crafts – Friday, October 22nd at 10:00 a.m. – At the Ralph & Jenny Center located at 9 New Washington Street (behind the Holiday Inn.) Join us as we decorate and paint pumpkins. Please RSVP to Maureen Bastardi at 617-625-6600 ext. 2335 or email Maureen at mbastardi@somervillema.gov . Space is limited and masks are required.

Caregiver Check-In – Tuesday, October 26th at 11:30 a.m. – Are you a caregiver for a loved one and want to connect with other caregivers? Would you like to discuss the joys and challenges of caregiving? The Somerville Council on Aging is hosting a monthly check-in via Zoom for caregivers. Please contact Natasha Naim by either calling 617-625-6600 ext. 2317 or e-mail Natasha at NNaim@Somervillema.gov.
Halloween Boxed Lunch Pick Up – Friday, October 29th, starting at 10:30 a.m. at our Ralph & Jenny Center located at 9 New Washington Street (behind the Holiday Inn.) Please reserve your lunch by calling Connie Lorenti at 617-625-6600, ext. 2319.
Connect with CaptionCall – Thursday, November 4th from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at our Holland Street Center. Caption Call is a federally funded program to benefit people with hearing loss. Caption Call provides phones to eligible residents that displays easy-to-read text, captioned voice messages, are hearing aid friendly and have Bluetooth connectivity. Caption Call phones are no cost if you have hearing loss and need captions to use the phone efficiently.
Come meet a CaptionCall representive.

Diabetic Shoe Clinic – Tuesday, December 14th. Do you have diabetes as well as Medicare? You may be eligible for a new pair of diabetic shoes once a year. In order to attend the shoe clinic, you must reserve a 10 minute appointment slot. To reserve your slot please call Natasha Naim at 617-625-6600, ext. 2317.

ONGOING EVENTS

Taxi Rides – Do you need a ride? The COA has a program just for you. Taxi Rides for Somerville Residents 60 and Over Rides can be used for: Grocery Shopping in Somerville, Pharmacy Prescription pick up in Somerville, Routine Medical Appointments in the follow areas: Somerville, Cambridge, Medford, Boston or the V.A. in Jamaica Plain or West Roxbury
Two Days Advanced Notice Required. For more information, please call Connie Lorenti at 617-625-6600, ext. 2319.

Friendly Caller Program – Looking for a way to practice social distancing but still remain connected to other people? Look no further than the Somerville Council on Aging’s Friendly Phone Caller program. We have many wonderful volunteers who are waiting to give you a call. Whether you are looking to make a new friend or would just like a friendly chat to look forward to every week, this program has you covered. Call Natasha at 617-625-6600, ext. 2317 to learn more about the program and to sign up.

EXERCISE
Virtual FIT-4-LIFE SCHEDULE
Mondays 1:00 p.m. = Fit-4-Life Zoom Exercise
Wednesdays 1:00 p.m. = Fit-4-Life Zoom Exercise
Thursdays 1:00 p.m. = Fit-4-Life Zoom Exercise
Thursdays 6:30 p.m. = LBT Fit-4-Life Zoom Exercise

Fit-4-Life YouTube
Fit-4-Life Exercise Video # 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hd26HjpwBI&t=68s
Fit-4-Life Exercise Video #2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwHfyoEZaws&t=247s
Fit-4-Life Exercise Video #3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcI2eBSS024&t=158s
Fit-4-Life Exercise Video #4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EDtaIdYSz0
Fit-4-Life Exercise Video #5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAnwfwGybTI

Somerville City Cable
RCN = 13/Comcast = 22
The Fit-4-Life Exercise Show = Daily at 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Yoga YouTube
Yoga with Janine video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDGF_EEbqF0&t=130s
Yoga with Janine video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Zezcj9XXBU

SOCIAL MEDIA
Stay connected via our Facebook page – often updated by Debby or Maureen. Informative, entertaining, lots of photos and updates. Visit our page at https://www.facebook.com/SomervilleCOA/

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST
If you would like to receive a virtual copy of our monthly newsletter please contact Maureen Bastardi at 617-625-6600, ext. 2335 or email Maureen at MBastardi@Somervillema.gov
If you would like to become part of our Google Group please contact Debby Higgins at 617-625-6600, ext. 2321 or email Debby at DHiggins@Somervillema.gov