Recognizing and Avoiding Fraud Tuesday, Feb. 7, at 1 p.m. Come learn about the different types of fraud, which population is the most targeted and how to protect yourself. Belmont Police Sgt. Kristin Daley and Lt. Rick Santangelo will give a presentation on fraud and the ways to avoid it also what to do if you have been the victim of fraud. Also presenting will be Kevin Kiley the executive vice president and COO of the Massachusetts Bankers Association along with other representatives from local banks. Light refreshments will be served. Please call 617-993-2970 to sign up. Everyone is invited…

In the Eye of the Storm: Six Photographers in the Nazi Era. Tuesday, Jan. 24, at 1 p.m. This one hour presentation looks at the lives, works, and choices of six photographers who lived and photographed in Germany during the Nazi Era.  Utilizing the photographs of each artist, the presentation introduces the audience to the works of the following photographers: August Saunder, Leni Riefenstahl, Alfred Eisenstaedt, Erwin Blumenfeld, Erick Salomon, and Roman Vishniac.  Within the historical context of Nazi Germany in the 1930’s and 40’s, the presentation focuses on the artistic / moral choices …

Red Cross Blood Drive. The Beech Street Center will host a blood drive on Friday, Dec. 30, in the fitness room. Art Exhibit. An exhibit of Katha Seidman's portraits and still lifes can be seen in the Lounge and Game Room through Jan 4. Please visit the Center and enjoy the paintings done by this talented local artist.  We are also accepting requests to exhibit at this time. If you have a collection of paintings or photographs to display please call 617-993-2970 to add your name to our art exhibit list. Appreciating Chinese Culture Through Shen Yun Tuesday, Jan. 3 at 1 p.m. Shen Yun is a world…

Osteoporosis Screening Winchester Hospital’s Community Health Institute Osteoporosis Community Benefit Program is offering a free osteoporosis screening at the Belmont Senior Center on Wednesday, Nov. 9, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. People who want to participate will be required to sign up in advance. Those who want to be screened must come prepared to take off shoes and stockings. (Also, come to a future screening if you have an open or infected wound on your foot.) Beginner Piano Starts Thursday, Nov. 10, at 9 a.m. If you have always wanted to play the piano, this is the course for you. The …

Community Teamwork Fuel Assistance Reminder Community Teamwork fuel assistance applications have recently been mailed to former applicants. If you received one, please examine it for accuracy and make any necessary changes. Pay special attention to the instruction sheet and list of necessary documents. The application must be signed and dated. Return promptly, including copies of all required documents, to Community Teamwork in Lowell. Do not delay. If approved now, assistance should be available starting Nov. 1. Anyone needing help with the application should contact Marie Poore at the COA …

Fitness AssessmentFriday, Sept. 30, at 1 p.m.Participants will enjoy a brief presentation on health and wellness.  Topics include fitness facts & myths, proper workout intensity, general nutrition guidelines, and exercise benefits. This presentation will be followed by free fitness evaluations, which will include body circumference measurements, body fat measurements, and flexibility testing. This is presented by Fitness Together. Please call to sign up. Caring and Conversation Tuesday, Oct. 4, at 1 p.m. Come listen, learn and share as we talk about Care Alternatives and your loved one’s …

Fitness Assessment Friday, Sept. 30, at 1 p.m. Participants will enjoy a brief presentation on health and wellness.  Topics include fitness facts & myths, proper workout intensity, general nutrition guidelines, and exercise benefits. This presentation will be followed by free fitness evaluations, which will include body circumference measurements, body fat measurements, and flexibility testing. This is presented by Fitness Together. Please call to sign up. English as a Second Language at the COA Registration Thursday, Sept. 29, at 10 a.m. English as a Second Language classes will be held …

Attention: Residents with Special Needs We were fortunate that everyone stayed safe and no damage was reported following Tropical Storm Irene. However, the Council on Aging wants to be prepared so that if people need to evacuate their homes in an emergency they can do so safely and that public safety officials have vital information available for those who need special help evacuating. If you need such special assistance we strongly encourage you to please register through the Council on Aging. To register, call the Social Worker Janet at 617-993-2983. Please leave a voicemail message if you …

Writing Stories from your Life  Tuesday, Sept. 13, at 1 p.m. Writing life stories can be a fun and rewarding way to preserve memories for current and future generations and let them know, “the way it was then.” Learn how to get organized to write your stories. Get tips on researching your family’s history, and a list of possible topics, like the places you’ve lived or the pets you’ve loved. Hear exciting excerpts from the life stories written by other local seniors. Presenter Lynette Benton teaches writing at local senior centers, retirement communities, and adult education programs. Sign up …

Music After Lunch: A student performance Thursday, Sept. 1, at 1 p.m. Seven Belmont students will perform a variety of instrumental and vocal pieces. All the students will be attending Belmont High School in the fall and have had some form of musical education, whether privately or at school. Movie  Friday, Sept. 9, at 1 p.m. Black Swan (R) Senior Gay Men’s Support Group Mondays at 10:30 a.m. There are crucial issues facing gay and bisexual men as we age. Developing a social support network and knowing which resources are ‘gay friendly’ are important aspects of aging with dignity. Too many …

Preventing Harm Ways to Avoid Medication Errors. Tuesday, Aug. 30, at 1 p.m.  When used appropriately, prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines can enhance quality of life by limiting loss of function and alleviating troublesome symptoms, and even extend life. Despite these benefits, all medicines have risks, especially among older adults, who take more prescription and OTC medication than any other age group in the United States. This educational series will promote safe and appropriate medication use by giving older adults the tools and know-how to avoid medication misuse, …

Asset Protection for Seniors Tuesday, Aug. 23, at 1 p.m. Topics covered include: Proper Titling of Assets to prevent Unnecessary Taxes Medicaid 5 year Look-back: How to protect your Assets Mass Long Term Care Law that exempts primary residence from Liens Proper beneficiaries for Life Insurance, IRA’s and Annuities Presented by The Society for Financial Awareness (SOFA).  Please sign up in advance. Movie  Friday, Aug. 26, at 1 p.m.  The Fighter (R) Preventing Harm Ways to Avoid Medication Errors. Tuesday, Aug. 30, at 1 p.m.  When used appropriately, prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) …

Belmont Summer Music Festival Saturday, Aug. 13 & Sunday, Aug. 14, at 2 p.m. The Belmont Summer Music Festival returns to the Beech Street Center this August with works by Dvorak! Come for a thrilling afternoon of symphonic masterpieces performed by an orchestra of talented college students from the Boston area. Concerts are at 2 p.m. on Aug. 13 and 14, free admission. Please note that seating is limited. Please call for reservations 617-993-2970. Iced Tea and Cards on the Patio Friday, Aug. 12, at 1 p.m. Come enjoy an afternoon on our patio sipping iced tea and playing cards. We have enough …

Revere Beach Slide Show Tuesday, Aug. 9, at 1 p.m. Please join us for a one hour presentation and description of more than 100 beautiful images of historic Revere Beach and its glorious past! Root beer floats will be served. Sponsored by Home Instead Senior Care. Please sign up in advance. Iced Tea and Cards on the Patio Friday, Aug. 12, at 1 p.m. Come enjoy an afternoon on our patio sipping iced tea and playing cards. We have enough room to accommodate groups playing up to five different games (bridge, poker, etc.) Space is limited so please sign up in advance. Event will be held inside if …

Second Opinions and Overtreatment Thursday, Aug. 4, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Obtaining a second opinion is a time-honored tradition in medicine, and most physicians agree that any significant surgical procedure warrants one. Join Dr. Vikas Saini of the Lown Cardiovascular Center, Brookline as he discusses the important topic of second opinions and overtreatment in health care. Please sign up in advance. About the Speaker: Vikas Saini, MD is co-Director of the Lown Center and President of the Lown Foundation. He completed his MD with distinction from Dalhousie University in Halifax, residency at …

Red Cross Blood Drive. Friday, July 22, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For an appointment or more information, please call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) AAA’s Older and Wiser Driver Tuesday, July 26, at 1 p.m. Traffic safety awareness is vital for drivers of all ages, but older drivers experience physical changes that can affect one’s driving ability: changes in vision, cognition, reaction time, and  flexibility. While older drivers as a group do have more crashes than people in their 40’s, their individual safety records differ as much as any other group. AAA’s 60-minute Older and Wiser Driver …

Iced Tea and Cards on the patio this Friday, July 15, at 1 p.m. Come enjoy an afternoon on our patio sipping iced tea and playing cards.  We have enough room to accommodate groups playing up to 5 different games (bridge, poker, etc.)  Space is limited so please sign up in advance at the Center or call 617-993-2970. Rain date: Friday, July 29, at 1 p.m. Caring and Conversation. Tuesday, July 19, at 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Come listen, learn and share as we talk about Care Alternatives and your loved one’s hospice benefits as covered under Medicare. Speaker Andrea Cooperstein, M. Ed. (Care …

Art Exhibit in the Lounge Elizabeth Flemings’ exciting print exhibit continues through 8/10/11. Be sure to schedule a visit to the Senior Center to view the work of this talented local artist. Cardio & Conditioning Improve the shape you’re in! Starts Tuesday, July 12, at 5:30 p.m. Each class begins with low impact aerobic exercise to limber up, and gradually prepare the body for the workout to follow. We will continue moving in the first half hour to a steady pace, using all of the major muscle groups of the body. Intensity can be adjusted so that each individual stays within his or her …

Website. We are happy to announce that the Beech Street Center has a new website located here . Thank you to Margo Cole and The Friends of the Belmont Council on Aging for all their hard work, which made this website possible. Movies Tuesday, July 5, at 1 p.m. House of Flying Daggers (PG-13) Mandarin Language Film Friday, July 8, at 1:00 p.m. Morning Glory (PG-13) Classes Please sign up for all events and classes in advance. • Art Exhibit in the Lounge. Elizabeth Flemings’ exciting print exhibit continues through Aug. 10. Be sure to schedule a visit to the Senior Center to view the work of …