Updates from the Iowa City Senior Center - August 12, 2021
ANNOUNCEMENTS
What's new with the Senior Center and the City of Iowa City?
The Senior Center will be closed on Monday, August 16
The Center will be closed Monday, August 16, 2021, for staff development meetings. The Center will reopen for regular business hours, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekdays, on Tuesday, August 17.
City again requires masks to be worn in public facilities to match updated CDC guidance
Following the latest guidance from the Johnson County Public Health Department, the City of Iowa City will now require all visitors to City facilities to wear a mask while inside the building. The new guidance comes as a protective measure against the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant throughout Iowa.
The City facility masking requirement, which includes the Senior Center, took effect last Friday.
Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new guidance to help slow the spread of the Delta variant. The CDC recommended that those in areas of substantial or high transmission wear masks while indoors in public, whether they are vaccinated or unvaccinated.
The decision to require that masks be worn in City facilities was made for the health and safety of visitors to public facilities and for the staff who serve them. All City buildings remain open to the public with the mask policy in effect.
The City will remain vigilant in monitoring the local and national public health situation and may change requirements. For more COVID-19 information, visit icgov.org/coronavirus.
Iowa City Transit changes are now in effect: new routes, stops, schedules, and fares
After the multi-year Iowa City Area Transit Study, the Transportation Department has recently rolled out changes to its routes, stops, schedules, and fares. One exciting highlight: free fares for seniors (age 65+) and those who have a disabled pass card, Medicare card, and/or SEATS card.
General information on the new routes and fares is available in English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Chinese on the Iowa City Transit website.
NEW & IN-PROGRESS PROGRAMS
Programs are free and open to all unless otherwise noted. If fees or membership are required, details will be specified in the description.
Trailblazers Hiking Group
Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m.
Meet at Lower City Park (200 Park Rd, Iowa City)
Hiking for exercise, fun, and great conversation! The Trailblazers hike up to 3 miles, or 1.5 to 2 hours each week. The group walks in all weather conditions except ice and heavy rain. Those who wish to hike are welcome to just show up before 8:30 a.m. any Wednesday morning in parking lot 2 in Lower City Park. If we are carpooling somewhere, we'll leave the park at 8:30 sharp. Contact Karen Sivitz at 319-337-8325 for more information.
Get to Know ICPL’s General Research Databases
Thursday, August 19, 7:00 p.m. Meets on Zoom Register online
Whether the last time you wrote a paper was last week or 60 years ago, you should know about the Iowa City Public Library’s general research databases! If you're curious about a current topic or would like to do in-depth research on anything of interest to you, our access to journal, magazine, and newspaper articles can help. Join us for an overview of the most useful databases with some tips on effective searching.
English Country Dance
Sunday, August 22, 2:00 p.m.
Meets at Happy Hollow Park (800 Brown St, Iowa City)
Come and join the Senior Center’s English Country Dance at Happy Hollow Park. All dances are taught and called. No need to come with a partner and beginners are welcome. A live fiddle and guitar duo will provide 18th century-style music. Free and open to all.
Join The Center's Team at the 2021 Walk to End Alzheimer's
The Iowa City Senior Center invites you to join our walk team, The Wayfaring Seniors,
and/or make a donation to show your support for the important work of the Alzheimer's Association and all those affected by Alzheimer's disease.
Whether you've encountered Alzheimer's as a patient, caregiver, health care provider, family member, friend, neighbor, or simply as a concerned human, we can all take action to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.
Sign up, share, and see you on Sunday, September 19 for a walk in the park!
Registration at 12:30 p.m., Ceremony at 1:30 p.m., Walk at 2:00 p.m. General details about the 2021 Walk to End Alzheimer's in Iowa City are available here.
ONGOING PROGRAMS
Join for any session unless otherwise noted.
Lyrics Alive
Mondays, 1:00 p.m.
Meets on Zoom Register online or call 319-356-5220 Host: Rob Dietrich
The Center’s all-request singing group has been meeting on Zoom during the pandemic and is gearing up for a return to in-person singing late in August. Register to receive the Zoom link for remote gatherings and email updates about the transition back to the Senior Center. All are welcome!
Tech Help Drop-In Hours
Fridays, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Meets on Zoom Register online or call 319-356-5220 Instructors: Brad Mowrey
These informal drop-in help sessions are centered around your personal and social technology questions. Stop by the Zoom room to learn more about the technology you carry with you every day, or ask questions about new and unfamiliar tech tools and services. All experience levels are welcome; no questions are too big or small. Additional one-on-one follow-up meetings can be scheduled for those who need more in-depth assistance. Let's talk tech!
50+ Singles Group
Meets on Zoom: Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.
Meets at Midtown Restaurant (West): Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. Register online or call 319-356-5220
The 50+ Singles Group is currently getting together online on Saturday mornings and meeting for breakfast in-person at Midtown Family Restaurant (1069 Highway 1 West, Iowa City) on Thursday mornings. Join friends old and new at either or both of these weekly gatherings.
Moving with Parkinson's is a 45-minute exercise program designed to empower people with Parkinson's and other neurological conditions. Functional exercises include big movements, stretching, posture, balance, strength, gait, facial, and vocal exercises. This class will meet on Zoom through July; beginning in August, the Monday classes will be held in-person at the Senior Center.
A 45-minute strength training class for people who have osteopenia, osteoporosis, or concerns bone density or functional strength. The class requires the use of light to moderate weights (canned goods or similar household items can be substituted for dumbbells). Fee: $5/class; pay instructor. This class will continue meeting on Zoom; Monday classes will be offered in-person at the Senior Center in August.
Join Kris for 30 minutes of walking and stretching from the comfort of your living room! Get the benefit of aerobic, weight bearing exercise followed by total body stretching, all in 30 minutes. Fee: $25 for 8 classes; pay instructor.
Yoga with Esther
Tuesdays, Thursdays, 11:00 a.m.
Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.
Meets on Zoom Register online or call 319-356-5220 Instructor: Esther Retish
This class emphasizes breathing, balance, and focus while increasing strength and flexibility. Some yoga experience helpful. Fee: $5/class (not to exceed $30/month); pay instructor.
HOW TO ACCESS OUR REMOTE PROGRAMMING
The Center is using Zoom, a free video conferencing application, to host remote programs. Zoom allows you the option to see each other and join in live discussions through your desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or phone.
To receive Zoom meeting details for virtual programs, register online using the program-specific links or call The Center at 319-356-5220. Locate Zoom meeting details on your registration receipt, then join the meeting in one of the following ways:
Join by web browser (computer):
Copy and paste the appropriate Zoom link into your internet browser, then click "Join from Browser" and follow the prompts. You can also go to https://zoom.us/join and enter the meeting ID and passcode.
Join by app (smartphone, tablet, computer):
Download the free Zoom app to your device at https://zoom.us/download. Open the app, click "Join a Meeting," enter the Zoom meeting ID for the program, and click "Join."
Join by phone (audio only):
At the time of the program, simply call 312-626-6799. When prompted, dial the Zoom meeting ID for the program you want to join. Your phone will be automatically muted once the meeting starts. If you want to speak, press *6 to unmute.
Check out The Center’s entertaining and insightful video project, featuring more than a dozen interviews between our Senior Center members and local teenagers. We’ll be spotlighting each interview throughout the summer.
Check out these community-based programs, services, and updates from other area organizations serving older adults.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers
Tuesdays, September 7 - October 12, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Meets on Zoom
Register by August 20 to receive meeting details
Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a class designed to provide you, the family caregiver, with the skills you need to take care of yourself. The six evidence-based class sessions are held once per week and are led by trained, certified class leaders. You’ll learn to reduce stress, better communicate your feelings, improve self-confidence, increase ability to make tough decisions, balance your life, and locate helpful resources. Cost: Suggested donation of $10 to Heritage Area Agency on Aging Caregiver Program. Pre-registration required by August 20; contact Madalyn Klobassa at 319-560-7014 or Madalyn.Klobassa@kirkwood.edu to sign up.
