EVENTS

Bingo – Tuesday, August 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 30th at Ralph & Jenny Center starting at 10:00 a.m. and Thursday, August 4th, 18th and 25th at Holland Street starting at 10:00 a.m. Keep your eyes open for occasional Wednesday Bingos. 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- 3rd Thursday of each month (August 18th) 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 Ferro at 857-237-1801.

Game Hour –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.) This month the dates are August 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th. 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. This month the dates are August 1st, 8th and 29th. Zoom meeting Mondays from 11:00 to 12:00 p.m. 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.
Walking Group –Fridays at 9:00 a.m. This month’s dates are August 5th, 19th and 26th. 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 this program, contact Debby Higgins at dhiggins@Somervillema.gov or by phone at 617-625-6600 ext. 2321.
Fit-4-Life Exercise Classes—Mondays, August 1st, 15th, 22nd and 29th in person at 9:00 a.m. Mondays, August 1st, 15th, 22nd and 29th Virtual at 1:00 p.m. Wednesdays, August 3rd, 10th 17th, 24th and 31st in person at 9:00 a.m. & Thursdays, LBT Class, in person at 5:30 p.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. Please contact Connie Lorenti at 617-625-6600 ext. 2319 with any questions or for additional information.

Strength and Balance General Exercise Class— Mondays, August 1st, 15th, 22nd and 29th in person at 11:00 a.m. and Wednesdays, August 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st in person at 11:00 a.m. Join us for our new exercise class focused on increasing our strength and balance, the course incorporates weights and light cardio. Please contact Connie Lorenti at 617-625-6600 ext. 2319 with any questions or for additional information.
Chi Kung – Fridays, August 5th, 12th and 19th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at our Holland Street Center. Easy to follow program performed seated or standing. Helps strengthen balance and reduce stress. Increases blood flow and energy. Please contact Debby Higgins at 617-625-6600 ext. 2321 or email Debby at dhiggins@Somervillema.gov with any questions or for additional information.
Coffee & 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.) This month the dates are August 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th. Meet people from all over the world as we discuss a range of topics. No books – no test – just friendly conversation. Please contact Maureen Bastardi at MBastardi@Somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600, ext. 2335 to RSVP.
Men’s Group – Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. at the Holland Street Center. This month the date is August 9th. New and returning members are welcome. Please RSVP to Norbert at ndeamato@hotmail.com
Bowling– Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Flatbreads Company / Sacco Bowl Haven in Davis Square. This month’s dates are August 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st. For more information or to sign up please contact Debby Higgins at 617-625-6600, ext. 2321 or email Debby at Dhiggins@Somervillema.gov .
Yoga – In Person – Tuesday, August 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at our Holland Street Center. 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 Connie Lorenti at 617-625-6600, ext. 2319.
LGBTQIA+ and Allies Social Group – Thursday, August 11th from 5:00p.m. to 6:00p.m. at the Holland Street Center located at 167 Holland Street. Meets the 2nd Thursday of each month. LGBTQ+ and allies are welcome. Come and join us for this social gathering. Meet and mingle with new people. Have a slice of pizza or two. RSVP to Maureen Bastardi at 617-625-6600, ext. 2335 or email Maureen at MBastardi@Somervillema.gov ​

Book Club – Meets the 3rd Friday of each month starting at 10:00 a.m. This month the date is August 19th. – 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.

Left, Right, Center – Friday, August 5th at our Holland Street Center starting at 10:00 a.m. LRC (Left, Right, Center) is a fun, fast-paced dice game that you won’t be able to put down! Players roll the dice to determine where they pass their chips. The last player with chips is the winner and wins the center pot. To register please call Debby Higgins a 617-625-6600, ext. 2321 or email her at DHiggins@Somervillema.gov Grab and Go Lunch will be available after the program.

Music & Munch Program – Wednesday, August 10th via Zoom starting at 12:00 p.m. Meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month. This 45- minute session 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. Learn a little, sing-along, relax and enjoy some Music while you Munch. Please RSVP to Debby Higgins at dhiggins@Somervillema.gov or call 617-625-6600, ext. 2321. You will then receive your email invitation to join the program via Zoom.

Movie Matinee & Pizza – Friday, August 12th at 10:00 a.m. at the Ralph & Jenny Center. Showing will be: Blue Hawaii starring Elvis Presley, Joan Blackman and Angela Lansbury. After arriving back in Hawaii from the Army, Chad Gates (Elvis) defies his parents’ wishes for him to work at the family business and instead goes to work as a tour guide at his girlfriend’s agency. Pizza will be served. $2 per person Please RSVP to Debby Higgins at 617-625-6600 ext. 2321 or dhiggins@somervillema.gov

Music & Movement Enrichment with Steve – Thursday, August 18th at our Holland Street Center from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 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 Higgins at dhiggins@Somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600 ext. 2321.

Mayor’s Summer Mini-Celebration – Tuesday, August 23rd starting at 10:30 a.m. at our Ralph & Jenny Center. Celebrate Summer with lunch and a DJ. Please contact Connie Lorenti at 617-625-6600, ext. 2319 to reserve your spot.

Brown Bag Supplemental Food Program – PICK UP Thursday, August 25th 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 Naim at 617-625-6600, ext. 2317.

Intergenerational Bingo with the Mystic Learning Center – Friday, August 26th at 10:00 a.m. at the Holland Street Senior Center. Come and play bingo for fun prizes with the kids from the Mystic Learning Center. We will have pizza for lunch. Please RSVP to Debby Higgins at 617-625-6600, ext. 2321 or email Debby at dhiggins@Somervillema.gov

Mindful Eating “Getting Back to Basics” – A 4-week workshop. Classes will meet on Wednesdays, August 3rd, August 10th and August 31st from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. This workshop will help us enjoy foods and reach satiety or the sensation of feeling full, while making healthy choices. Ditch the rules, use sound nutrition as a guideline and truly listen to what our bodies need. Class size is limited. Please RSVP by contacting Mary Marshall at 617-625-6600, ext. 2316 or email Mary at Headtofitness10@yahoo.com

Friendly Caller Program – Looking for a way to practice social distancing but 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 Naim at 617-625-6600, ext. 2317 to learn more about the program and to sign up.

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 Higgins or Maureen Bastardi. Informative, entertaining, lots of photos and updates. Visit our page at https://www.facebook.com/SomervilleCOA/

Follow the Somerville Council on Aging on Instagram! You can find us under the Instagram handle: somervillecouncilonaging If you have any questions or need help following us, contact Debby Higgins at 617-625-6600 ext. 2321 or email her at dhiggins@somervillema.gov

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 Bastardi 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

The Council on Aging’s Senior Transportation Program
The Council on Aging is excited to announce the return of our Senior Transportation Program! The COA will be offering free taxi rides to Somerville residents over the age of 60. Rides are available to go to the grocery store, farmer’s market, pharmacy in Somerville and routine medical appointments in the surrounding communities. To best accommodate the needs of everyone in the City and to maximize the use of our funding, we will be capping the number of rides per week. To ensure the health and welfare of every resident of Somerville, exemptions will be made for chemotherapy and radiation appointments. To find out more information or to schedule your ride, please call Connie Lorenti at 617-625-6600 ext. 2319. All rides must be booked two business days in advance. This program is funded through ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) Funding.

Pick up your Farmer’s Market Coupons at the COA!
The Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) Nutrition program is distributing free farmers’ market coupons for eligible older adults in August. Available through the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture, the $25 coupon booklets can be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at area farmers’ markets. Applicants must be Cambridge or Somerville residents 60 years or older or disabled and living in elderly housing with a congregate meal program. They must also meet the following income eligibility:
One-person household with a monthly income at or less than $2,096 per month Two-person household with a monthly income at or less than $2,823 per month Three-person household with a monthly income at or less than $3,551 per month Four-person household with a monthly income at or less than $4,279 per month
Pick your coupons up at:
Ralph and Jenny Center: Tuesday, August 9th, 1:00pm—3:30pm Holland Street Senior Center: Thursday, August 10th, 10:00am—1:00pm