FUN AFTER 50 Senior Center Activities

The Western Hotel in Ouray

To register for programs, call 970-252-4884 or visit www.montroserec.com

Education

Presentations are free, but donations support activities and the lunch program. Call to reserve your seat.

Lewis & Clark

Todd Weber hosts this four-part series about Lewis and Clark. Weekly topics include: Tools, Arms and Accoutrements; The Way West; Journey Home and Fate of the Corps.

1 p.m. | Feb. 1, 8, 15 & 22

South West Coast Path

The South West Coast Path is England’s longest National Trail and one of its most spectacular. Author Diane Winger shares her extraordinary experience walking more than 250 of its 630 rugged coastal miles in Cornwall. She brings photos, maps and anecdotes of her journey.

1 p.m. | Feb. 13

Chocolate: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Kate Burke gives an interesting history lesson on this popular treat.

1 p.m. | Feb. 14

TRIPS & TOURS

Most trips meet at the Senior Center and fill quickly. Get on the waiting list if a tour is full in case another is scheduled.

Phelanies

Back by popular demand! Phelanies is a speakeasy featuring hand-crafted cocktails and requires a password for entry. Enjoy cocktails, appetizers and good company. Cost includes transportation and appetizers. Bring money for drinks.

4:45-7:30 p.m. | Feb. 2 | $15

Originally built in 1891 and restored in 2022, the 16-suite Western Hotel and Spa gives a fresh take on old west luxury. Tour the hotel followed by a buffet-style lunch before making a stop at Mouse’s Chocolates. Bring money for lunch.

9:45 a.m. | Feb. 7 | $25

Amazing Glaze

Enjoy this private painting event. No artistic background required. Everyone goes home with a completed piece. Meet at Amazing Glaze, 209 E. Main St., Montrose.

10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Feb. 9 | $30

Winter Walking

Walk the Riverside Trail in Grand Junction in segments and check out the artistic murals along the way. Bring money for lunch.

8:45 a.m. | Feb. 16 | $21

TLC Kitchen in Paonia

The Learning Council (TLC) crew works out of a commercial kitchen and provides locally sourced meals to the community by donation. Learn about what TLC does and assist in making the community meal before eating!

7:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Feb. 21 | $30

Pea Green Community House Music

Listen to the opening band, partake in refreshments and potluck, see a short comedy routine and then listen to more music! Meet at the Field House. Transportation is available if you don’t drive at night.

5:15-9 p.m. | Feb. 25 | $20

50+ Snowshoeing

Snowshoe on the groomed County Line trails on the Grand Mesa and have lunch at the lodge. Bring money for lunch or a sack lunch.

9 a.m. | Feb. 28 | $21

Games

Contact the senior center for a schedule!

To register for programs, call 970-874-0923 or visit www.cityofdelta.net/parksrecgolf

Games

Pinochle

1-4 p.m. | Tuesdays | $15

Dominoes

1-3 p.m. | Wednesdays | $15

Party Bridge Club

1-4 p.m. | Thursdays | $15

Chess Club

5:30-8 p.m. | Tuesdays | Free

Fitness

Indoor Pickleball

Play this fun sport with an even funnier name. Dates and times are subject to change based on gym availability. Call or check the website for details.

7:15-11:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays | 12:30-3 p.m. Tuesdays & Thursdays

Low Key Fit

A low-key exercise program based on functional fitness.

9 a.m. | Mondays

Pilates

Low-impact movements that improve flexibility, muscular strength and endurance.

12 p.m. Mondays | 9 a.m. Fridays

Senior Circuit

Circuit training for seniors with flexibility exercises.

9 a.m. | Monday through Friday

Yoga Fusion

This vinyasa flow style class blends yoga, Pilates and barre elements.

12 p.m. | Tuesdays

Healthy Body Strong Bones

Use simple hand weights to help increase flexibility, balance and bone strength.

9 a.m. | Tuesdays & Thursdays

Silver Sneakers Classic

Strengthen muscles and increase range of movement.

10 a.m. | Tuesdays & Thursdays

Body Blitz

Cross-train with this quick-paced muscle conditioning class.

9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays | 9 a.m.

Thursdays

Body Bar

Get an entire body workout using a weighted fitness bar.

6 a.m. | Wednesdays

Pool Fitness

Monday Movers

Jumpstart your week with a mid to high-intensity cardio and strength training water class.

5:30 p.m. | Mondays

Pool Power

Workout in shallow water to focus and tone problem areas.

9:30 a.m. | Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

Body & Health

Enjoy a combination of aerobic and full-body workout in the pool.

10:30 a.m. | Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

Light-n-Lively

Build endurance and strength, designed for beginners.

10 a.m. | Tuesdays and Thursdays

Full Body Cardio

Tone those muscles, pump up that heart, and get an overall good workout with water jogging, river running, jumping jacks and lunges.

5:30 p.m. | Tuesdays and Thursdays

Silver Sneakers Splash

A fun shallow-water exercise class that uses a signature splash-board to increase movement. Suitable for non-swimmers.

8:30 a.m. | Mondays & Wednesdays

Water Zumba

Enjoy a dance party in the pool, fun for all fitness levels.

5:30 p.m. | Wednesdays

AARP Tax-Aide prepares taxes for free—appointments required

AARP Tax-Aide is providing free tax preparation at the Montrose Senior Center. Appointments are required. Call 970-252-4889 to make an appointment. Bring picture IDs, Social Security/ITIN cards, last year’s tax return and all documents to accurately complete your return, including letters from the IRS if you had identity theft, receipt of the economic impact funds, or the letter 6419 if you received Advanced Child Tax Credit payments.

Free online conference on dementia

The Alzheimer’s Association Colorado Chapter presents the Rocky Mountain Conference on Dementia, a one-day event held online on March 2. Participants may join at no cost. The event is designed for people living with dementia and their caregivers, professional caregivers and healthcare providers, public health and aging services professionals and anyone interested in learning more. Topics include the latest in dementia science; clinical research and getting involved in trials; brain health and risk reduction; information on diagnostics,

Valley Symphony Association showcases young composer at winter concert series

Valley Symphony Association

(VSA) welcomes Anwen Borgo to perform at the upcoming concert treatments, and partnering with the medical community; services and resources for those living with dementia and their caregivers, including special considerations for those with younger onset Alzheimer’s disease; art, music, animal and other complementary therapies; legal and financial planning; care options and caregiving strategies. Visit alz.org to register.

“Young Composers: Be Inspired!” on February 4 and 5. Borgo grew up in Ridgway playing viola with the Valley Youth Orchestras (VYO) in 2014 before joining the VSA Orchestra in 2018. Now a freshman at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Borgo is studying film and video game scoring and performs with the Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra and Berklee Motion Picture Orchestra. As a pre-teen, her very first composition, “Eclipse,” was premiered by the VYO in 2017. In February 2020, at age 15, two of her pieces, “Egyptian Moon” and “Last Time,” were premiered by the VSA Orchestra at their “Kaleidoscope of Local Color” concert. Borgo’s piece, “Something Better,” will be premiered by the chorus at the February concert series. For information, upcoming concerts, tickets, and the audition process, visit valleysymphony.net. For other inquiries, contact 970-765-8323 or info@valleysymphony.net.

Place your order for free at-home COVID-19 tests

Has your stash of rapid antigen COVID-19 tests run out? Just in time for the rise in variant XBB.1.5, the government is once again offering every household in the U.S. four free at-home tests (with free shipping as well). There is a limit of one order per residential address. Additionally, if you have tests on hand that are past their expiration date, don’t throw them out just yet. You can check online to see if their expiration dates have been extended. Order tests and check expiration dates at www.covidtests.gov. If you need assistance with placing an order, call 1-800-232-0233.

Concerned about crime?

Start a Neighborhood Watch program

Neighborhood Watch, also known as Citizen Crime Watch, Block Watch, or Home Alert, is a voluntary program organized by concerned citizens to reduce crime in their communities. Interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch program in your neighborhood?

Contact the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office at 970-252-4499 or email nhwmontroseco@outlook.com

Intro to Mindfulness Workshop at the Montrose Rec Center

This six-week series introduces you to what mindfulness is, why it works and how to apply it in your

Learn to properly use automated emergency features on smartphones and devices

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) urges consumers to learn how automated emergency features work on their smartphones and wearable devices. Over the last several years, both Apple iOS and Android smartphones, as well as some wearable devices, like the Apple Watch, have gained the ability to automatically dial 9-1-1 in certain circumstances. While potentially lifesaving, it could cause many unnecessary 9-1-1 calls to centers throughout Colorado and may result in delays for actual emergencies. The Apple Watch has an optional feature that will call 9-1-1 if it detects that the wearer has fallen. While beneficial, it’s caused an increase in unnecessary calls to 9-1-1 centers, particularly in the winter months when people may fall while enjoying recreational sports. Colorado consumers are encouraged to learn what emergency features exist on their phones and wearable devices and how to adjust the settings for additional safety and security without causing unnecessary 9-1-1 calls. If you have any questions, please contact 303-894-2871.

daily life. Mindfulness helps you be present and let go of the thoughts and habits that no longer serve you. Classes are one hour each week and cover various related topics. Registration is $45 for all six classes on Tuesdays, Feb. 21-March 28 at 5 p.m. in the Flex Rec Facility’s Community room at the Montrose Recreation Center. Call 970-2497705 to sign up.

Lifelong learning equals a “SuperAger” brain

Your brain can either be older or younger than your chronological age, and it’s not just genetics. “SuperAgers” is a term longevity researchers apply to those in their 80s and beyond with the cognitive function of those decades younger.

While learning of any kind is good for brain health, a 2021 study of SuperAgers showed that they kept learning new skills or concepts. Although aging means a natural loss of some connections between our brain cells, the newness of learning something you didn’t know before strengthens those connections. SuperAgers are open to and even welcome the frustration that comes with learning something outside their normal area of expertise. Planning a variety of activities in three areas engages the brain: mentally (listening to a podcast or learning a new language), physically (learning a new dance or sport) and socially (yes, occasions such as a lunch date with a friend tend to stave off dementia). ■

ACROSS

1. ___ Lama Ding Dong

5. Block 10. Jason’s carrier 14. Some are pale 15. Run away to get married 16. Exceptional 17. Etta of old comics 18. Moth-repellent wood 19. Decorative pitcher 20. Great happiness 23. Road to ___ 24. Carbon compound 25. Christie of mystery 29. One who enjoys inflicting pain 31. Spring mo. 32. In demand

1. Gardeners, at times

2. Word blindness

3. Technique

4. Italian wine city

5. Pours off leaving sediment

6. Oldsmobile model

7. Related to form

8. ___ the crack of dawn

9. Amulet 10. Stadium used for sports or musical events

11. Inexperienced

12. College sr.’s test

13. Anthem contraction 21. ___ majeste

22. Fiend

26. God with a hammer

27. Sharpen 28. Fit to ___

30. Tabloid couple

31. On the ocean

34. Work like a dog

35. Tolkien ogre

36. AAA recommendations

37. Swindle

38. Director Ephron

Pianist Gilels

Push

Most proximate