Everyone has a talent, hobby or profession that others could benefit from learning. This is the inspiration behind new activities and events offered in the Senior Center. Free Friday returns in May with educational opportunities, plus the Senior Center launches an exciting new monthly program for the taste buds.
Free Friday returns May 17 with a handful of classes based on senior interests.
CTAP California Phones will be onsite to teach an iPhone class covering the basics of navigating through calls, texting, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and apps, as well as phone features and special accessibility features such as large print.
This class is limited to the first 12 seniors who sign up. We will host this again if it is popular.
Mahjong lessons: Camy Sahlberg, a long-time player and member of the Monday Morning Mahjong group, will show new players the ropes. The hope is to encourage new players to join the group on a regular basis. Mahjong, like other games, helps keep the brain sharp.
Finally, the Senior Center has teamed up with Leticia Murphy, a licensed esthetician and owner of Beautiful Always, to hold a skin-care workshop for older adults. Leticia will talk about what happens to skin as people age, specific age-related issues, and a variety of products that range from the very affordable to more high-end.
Seniors can enjoy free Pilates, pinochle, open art studio, bingo and, of course, lunch.
Eskaton Monroe Lodge partners with us to make these free events possible; they also provide a good meal.
The menu for May is sandwiches with house-made chips.
Culinary adventures
Heera Kulkarni, a yoga instructor in the Wellness Program, has shared culinary advice and healthy recipes with the seniors at a variety of events. Her “Spice it Up” workshop at February’s Free Friday event had 20 participants, which proved the high interest in culinary classes among local seniors. Heera’s new monthly class, “Culinary Adventures,” will feature nutritional advice, culinary tips, recipes and light meals.
The first workshop, at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28, will demonstrate “Khichadi,” a one-pot meal made with rice, lentils, veggies, turmeric and spices. It’s highly nutritious and healing, so much so that it’s commonly one of the first solid foods that most Indian babies try. Heera personally follows a whole food and plant-based diet and will share nutritional advice through that lens.
To sign up for this class, call Katie at 916 452-3005 x 208 or Katie@sierra2.org with your name and contact information. Participants must register in advance, but can pay the $15 fee at the door.