Senior Fuel Assistance Applications Have Been Mailed

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 by calling 617-993-2979. Voice mail messages may be left at any time. 

Card Making

Starts Wednesday, Oct. 19, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

If you missed this class the last time we offered it, you missed a fun and creative way to spend Wednesday afternoons. Learn the art of card making from teacher Helen Einstein. Create one or more original greeting cards each week. Every session will focus on a different technique: multi embossing, bleached out images, embedded embossing, and basic masking. Students will need to have a small, sharp pair of scissors. All other materials and tools will be provided. Samples of each technique are available to view on the lobby bulletin board. Cost is $25 for 4 sessions. Individual sessions may be attended for $7 each.

Understanding Your Options

Tuesday, Oct. 25, at 1 p.m.

Understanding your options before a health need arises is critical to informed decision making that often occurs in a moment of crisis. Join us for a discussion of the various choices that are clinically safe, socially appealing, and financially appropriate. Presented by Candy Costas, RN, BSN, and VP of Privatus.

Learn About the Medicare Changes for 2012

Friday, Oct. 28 at 1 p.m.

Medicare plans change every year! SHINE Can Help! SHINE counselors provide Medicare counseling free of charge. Medicare’s New Open Enrollment Period Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 

Evergreen Ping Pong Tournament

Thursday, Nov. 10, at 10 a.m.

Come participate in the Beech Center's fourth Evergreen Ping Pong tournament. Singles competition will begin at 10 a.m. Doubles competition will follow. All are welcome! You must register by 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9 to participate.  Please call 617-993-2970 to sign up.

Movie

Friday, Oct. 21, at 1 p.m.

Rango (PG)

Tuesday Extended Hours Programming

New sessions of our extended programming on Tuesdays will begin in September, including Meditation, Cardio & Conditioning Exercise, and Drawing & Painting class.  These classes are not limited to seniors.  Please call for more information.

Flu Shots

The Council on Aging hosts CVS and Osco Drugs for community flu vaccination events. The Belmont Council on Aging and the Belmont Health Department have arranged for vaccinators from the CVS Pharmacy on Trapelo Road and Osco Pharmacy at Shaw’s to come to the Beech Street Center six times in October, to administer flu shots to all those adults over 18 who desire them.

Both pharmacies will take Medicare B and Mass. Health insurance plans as well as other insurance plans (on an individually determined basis). If a client has no insurance, cost for the vaccine is anticipated to be approximately $29. Appointments will not be necessary so please tell your friends, families and neighbors about this opportunity.

CVS

Oct. 20 - 12:00—2:00 PM

Oct. 27 - 12:00—2:00 PM

OSCO

Oct. 24 - 12:00—2:00 PM


Art Exhibit in the Lounge

Photographs and paintings by Karla and Robert O'Brien will be on exhibit through Nov. 11. The O'Briens were the Beech Street Center's first exhibitors back in October/November of 2009 and we felt it was time for a re-visit. Please come and re-enjoy the talents of these two exceptional Belmont artists.

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 every Thursday from 10 to 11:30 a.m., starting Oct. 6. Classes are available for beginner through advanced levels. Please call Joan Bishop at 617-924-6110. Reasonably priced at $50 for the initial course and $30 for returning students for the next series of classes.

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 gay seniors are going back into the closet at a time in their lives when they are the most vulnerable. Don’t let this happen to you. The group will be facilitated by Peter Frenette, Licensed Social Worker. There is no fee. To contact Peter, email: jag8641@gmail.com  or call 617-470-8072. Bring a friend or just yourself.

Strength & Flexibility: Fridays

At 1:15 p.m.

Due to the popularity of our Strength and Flexibility class, we are offering additional classes on Fridays for the month of September.  This is the perfect opportunity to try the class for the first time or supplement your current fitness program. Classes will meet in the fitness room on the second floor. Cost is $10 for 4 classes. Please sign up at the front desk.

REMINDERS

Satisfaction Survey

The Council on Aging are currently conducting a program satisfaction survey. You may complete one at the COA office or online at the http://beechstreetcenter.org.

CLASSES

Drawing and Painting

Started Tuesday, Sept. 13, from 5 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

An introduction to a range of techniques in all drawing and painting media; beginners welcome! We will start each class with a short lesson covering such topics as color mixing, light and shading, creating perspective, as well as use and care of materials. If the class is interested we may cover portraiture and landscape painting as well. Students should bring their own supplies to work in the medium of their choice. This is a new class with a new teacher. Cost is $40 for 8 sessions. 

Cardio & Conditioning

Started Tuesday, Sept. 13, 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 target zone. After a gradual cool down, we will move on and focus on conditioning specific muscles (abdominals, upper body etc.) with the use of light resistance. The entire class emphasizes proper technique, improving posture, balance and coordination while getting in shape. An hour well invested! This class is not chair-based and requires movement across the floor. Cost is $20 for 6 sessions.

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 do not reach a live person.Boston to

Wii Thursdays

The Council on Aging is now the proud owner of a Nintendo Wii console gaming system. On Thursdays, the Wii will be available to play in Classroom A from 9 a.m. to noon. Directions on how to use the device will be available.

Tuesday Extended Hours Programming

There is still time to join our extended programming on Tuesdays, including Meditation, Cardio & Conditioning Exercise, and Drawing and Painting class. Please call for more information.

Rentals

If you wish to rent space at the Beech Street Center for a private event, please call 617-993-2990.

Council on Aging Transportation

TRIP TO MARKET BASKET

We will be offering trips to the newly-renovated Market Basket in Burlington on the first and third Thursday of the month. Pick-up will be at 8:30 a.m. A minimum of 6 people must sign up. In the past, interest in the Market Basket trips has been very low. If this remains the trend, we will discontinue the service. Suggested donation for a ride from the Council-On-Aging for any purpose is $2 each way.

Day and Overnight Trips

Thursday, Nov. 10: Angelica’s Ballroom, Middleton, MA. Lunch and entertainment, featuring stunning impressionist, Mark Verselli. He does impressions of Sinatra, Dean, Davis, Elvis, etc. Meal choice: Yankee Pot Roast or Baked Boston Schrod. Cost is $69 per person. Check payable to Gateway Travel.

Friday, Dec. 9 to Sunday, Dec. 11: White Mountain Hotel and Resort. Our annual 3 day, 2 night trip. A $50 deposit is due by August 31. Cost is Single $467, Twin $367, or Triple $357. Waiver fee is available for $5.  Check payable to White Mountain Hotel.

Friday, Dec. 30 to Sunday, Jan. 1: Sheraton Hotel, Leominster, MA. Our annual New Year’s Eve trip is now taking deposits.
Website

We are happy to announce that the Beech Street Center has a new website at http://beechstreetcenter.org. Thank you to Margo Cole and The Friends of the Belmont Council on Aging for all their hard work, which made this website possible.

About the Senior Center

The Belmont Council on Aging Center, 266 Beech St., invites community members to attend a wide variety of events and to make use of the many services offered. Please do not hesitate to call or visit for more information: Belmont Council on Aging. Main number (617) 993-2970, Transportation (617) 993-2980.