EVENTS

Bingo – Tuesdays at Ralph & Jenny Center starting at 10:00 a.m. and Thursdays at Holland Street starting at 10:00 a.m. Grab and Go lunch available following Bingo. RSVP to Debby Higgins by calling 617-625-6600, ext. 2321 or email Debby at DHiggins@Somervillema.gov

Project Outlook, Low Vision Group, returns! 2nd Tuesday of each month from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Holland Street Center. Project Outlook is a group of residents with low or no vision who enjoy getting together for camaraderie and socialization. Project Outlook has been active for over 30 years. Come join in the conversation, we look forward to meeting you. For more information please contact Claudia at 857-237-1801.
Game Club –Mondays from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.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 .
General Nutrition Classes – In-person, Mondays at 12:30 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.
Walking Group –Fridays at 9:30 a.m. The walking group meets in front of the Holland Street Center and will enjoy walks through area neighborhoods. All classes and groups will be limited in participation and are weather permitting. 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 at the Holland Street Center. Each class will focus on strength, balance and flexibility. Pre-registration is required as classes are limited; masks are 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 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 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 – 2nd Tuesday of the month from 10:30 to 11:30 -Our popular men’s group is held on the second Tuesday of every month at the Holland St. Center. New and returning members are welcome. Please RSVP to Norbert DeAmato at ndeamato@hotmail.com

Bowling is Back – Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Flatbreads Company / Sacco Bowl Haven in Davis Square. For more information or to sign up please contact Debby at 617-625-6600, ext. 2321 or email Deb at Dhiggins@Somervillema.gov . Face coverings are required.
Yoga – In Person – Tuesday, March 1st , 15th and 22nd 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
Line Dancing with Julie Kaufmann – Monday, March 7th at 1:00 p.m. and continues every Monday until April 11, 2022 at our Holland Street Center. No experience needed. For more information or to RSVP please call Debby Higgins at 617-625-6600, ext. 2321 or email Debby at DHiggins@Somervillema.gov
Mix It Up Mondays – Mondays, March 7, March 28, April 11, and April 25 – 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Holiday Street Center. Led by Tufts Occupational Therapy Interns. Take a stroll down memory lane and join us for afternoons of creativity and nostalgia. Participate in an array of activities like painting, creating poems and sharing recipes while socializing with your friends at SCOA! This series will culminate in a collection of tangible memories for you to treasure. RSVP to Chris by phone at 617-625-6600, ext. 2315, or email at ckowaleski@somervillema.gov
Wellness Seminars – Tuesday, March 8th from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at our Holland Street Center. Roberta Robinson from Cambridge Health Alliance will be joining us each month to discuss a variety of topics to keep us mentally, spiritually and physically well. To join please RSVP to Natasha at 617-625-6600 ext. 2317 or e-mail her at nnaim@somervillema.gov
ARPA Session – Please join us for an in-person discussion on Wednesday, March 9th at 11:00am at the Holland Street Center or virtually on Thursday, March 10th at 6:00pm via Zoom. Join us to help guide Somerville’s ARPA Investments. In total, Somerville has $77.5 million in ARPA dollars to support an equitable and prosperous recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus far, the City has committed $9 million to child care, rental assistance, and a Universal Basic Income pilot project. An additional $3 million is being considered for a free and reduced transit pass benefits program and more than $1 million was previously dedicated to emergency public health efforts, housing supports, youth services and a Digital Bridge Initiative to overcome inequities in digital/Internet access. The team is continuing to explore different priorities of how the funding should be used and we would like to hear directly from the senior community. Please contact Debby Higgins at 617-625-6600 ext. 2321 or DHiggins@Somervillema.gov to RSVP for either session. Grab and Go lunch available following the Wednesday, March 9th session.
Music & Munch – Wednesday, March 9th 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 Debby at dhiggins@somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600 ext. 2321. You will then receive your email invitation to join the program via ZOOM.
Left, Right, Center – Friday, March 11th, 18th and 25th at 10:00 a.m. at the Holland Street Center. Join us for this fun and interesting game. RSVP to Debby by calling 617-625-6600, ext. 2321 or email Debby at DHiggins@Somervillema.gov
Tech Time with Tufts – Occupational Therapy at the SCOA. Mondays, March 14 and April 4th from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at our Holland Street Center. These workshops are intended for users of smartphones, iPads and laptops. Please bring your devices and questions with you! We hope Tech Time makes it easier for you to stay in touch with loved ones, access any information you may need and be able to use your devices with more ease. RSVP to Chris: by phone, 617- 625-6600 ext. 2315, or email at ckowaleski@somervillema.gov
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March Boxed Lunch Pick Up – Tuesday, March 15th starting at 10:30 a.m. at the Ralph & Jenny Center located at 9 New Washington Street (behind the Holiday Inn.) We hope you can stop by! Please reserve your lunch by calling Connie at 617-625-6600 ext. 2319.

Rising Step—Irish Step Dance Performance—Wednesday, March 16th, at 1:00 pm at the Holland St. Center. Rising Step is a collaborative Irish Step Dance performance company based in Boston. Join us in celebrating the joy and art of the Irish dance! RSVP to Debby by calling 617-625-6600, ext. 2321 or email Debby at DHiggins@Somervillema.gov

Music & Movement – Thursday, March 17th 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. This program is in person, pre-registration is required as space is limited. Please RSVP to Debby at Dhiggins@Somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600 ext. 2321.

Book Club – Friday, March 18th at 10:00 a.m. – Do you love books and want to discuss your love of reading with others? Consider joining book club. 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.

Caregiver Check-In – Tuesday, March 22nd at 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.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.

Movie Matinee – Wednesday, March 23rd at 10:00 a.m. at the Ralph and Jenny Center located at 9 New Washington Street (behind the Holiday Inn.) Showing will be: Leap Year staring Amy Adams and Matthew Goode. Anna Brady plans to travel to Dublin, Ireland to propose to her boyfriend Jeremy on February 29, leap day, because, according to Irish tradition, a man who receives a marriage proposal on a leap day must accept it. Please RSVP to Debby at 617-625-6600 ext 2321 or dhiggins@somervillema.gov Grab and Go Lunch Available after the Movie
Charlie Card Registration Event – Wednesday, March 23rd from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Holland Street Center. Have you been meaning to obtain a Senior Charlie Card but haven’t found the time to apply for one in person? Skip the trip to Boston and come to the Somerville Council on Aging instead! We will be hosting a Senior Charlie Card Registration event. The event is open to participants, age 65 or older, who are applying for a new card only. Please bring an ID when attending the event; your picture will also be taken for your Charlie Card. Senior Charlie Cards should arrive by mail within 4-6 weeks.

Brown Bag Supplemental Food Program – PICK UP Thursday, March 24th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Ralph & Jenny Center located at 9 New Washington Street (behind the Holiday Inn.) For an application contact Natasha at 617-625-6600, ext. 2317.

Make Your Own Sea Glass Art – Wednesday, April 13th from 11:00 a.m. to noon at the Ralph & Jenny Center located at 9 New Washington Street (behind the Holiday Inn.) Interested in learning how to create some take-home art made out of sea glass? Perfect for decoration, for fun, or as a gift for a friend or family member. Come join Lowell Dorr and Local Artist Kate Parisi as they guide us in making great sea glass art. No need to bring anything – all materials provided for you. $7 per person for materials payable to Lowell and Kate at the start of class. Please RSVP in advance with Maureen Bastardi at 617-625-6600, ext. 2335 or email Maureen at MBastardi@Somervillema.gov

Somerville’s Poet Laureate, Lloyd Schwartz – Wednesday, April 26th, 1:00 p.m. at the Ralph & Jenny Center located at 9 New Washington Street (behind the Holiday Inn.) The program will begin with a reading of “the Two Horses” a poem Schwartz wrote about his mother and the memories which she shared with him about her childhood. Following, Schwartz will guide you through writing about your own memory. To join us please RSVP to Debby Higgins at 617-625-6600 ext. 2321 or email dhiggins@somervillema.gov Grab & Go Lunch will be available after the program. This event is made possible by the Academy of American Poets with funds from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

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

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

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

A FRIENDLY REMINDER
All senior center activities will be cancelled if Somerville Public Schools are closed due to weather. The Council on Aging office will remain open.