May/June  Special Events

Gentle Yoga.  Would you like to learn how to breathe better and relax, have more movement and flexibility, build strength and balance?   Then this class is for you!  Join us for a FREE trial Gentle Yoga class on Monday, May 12, 6:30 – 7:30 pm and Wednesday, May 14, 10:15-11:15am.  There is no charge. 

E-Bay Basics Class.  In this two-hour class become familiar with Ebay; how it works, and how to use it. Topics covered are:  searching, buying and selling, knowing who to trust, how to protect yourself and setting up Ebay and PayPal accounts. Those interested in setting up accounts should bring a checkbook and know how to access their email accounts via the web. It meets on Wednesday, May 14, at 9:30 am.  The cost is $5.  Advance registration is necessary, call 266-6581.

Intergenerational Ice Cream Social.   Join us on Wednesday, May 14, 3-4:30 p.m., to hear the winning sixth grade essays from a statewide contest which involved four Madison middle schools and approximately 400 students.  Sponsored by the Wisconsin Association of Senior Centers and hosted locally by the Madison Senior Center and the four Madison Coalitions of Older Adults, the essay contest assigned writings on two topics:  “My Best Older Friend” or “My Grandparents.” Come hear the student’s heartwarming essays and enjoy the ice cream social. 

PC Maintenance and Performance.  This seminar is designed to help PC owners keep their Windows-based systems running at peak performance levels and preventing common computer problems. Topics include: hard drive cleanup and maintenance, managing startup options, upgrades and updates for hardware and software, Internet security and eradicating threats and more!  It meets Tuesday, May 20, at 9:30 am.  The cost is $5.  Advance registration is necessary, call 266-6581.

Consciousness and It Implications.  This six-week video class begins Wednesday, May 21, at 12 pm.  Taught by Prof. Daniel N. Robinson, Oxford University and a master storyteller, he probes the depths of this mysterious mental state from the perspectives of the scientist, philosopher, psychologist and doctor.  The cost is $5.  Advance registration is necessary, call 266-6581.

Book Bites:  Local Author Series:  Odd Wisconsin:  Amusing, Perplexing, and Unlikely Stories from Wisconsin's Past:   Author, Erika Janik grew up in Redmond, Washington, but now knows more about Wisconsin history than she ever thought possible.  In her book, Odd Wisconsin, she captures the Wisconsin people, places, and events that didn’t make it into conventional state histories, lowering a bucket into the depths of Wisconsin history and bringing to light curious fragments of forgotten lives.  From "the voyageur with a hole in his side" to "pigs beneath the legislature," Odd Wisconsin gathers 300 years of curiosities.  Hear Erika on May 27,  at 1 pm, speak about her book.  There is no charge and refreshments are served.

Buying A New  PC.   This class is designed to help PC owners make informed decisions  about whether it makes more sense to upgrade their current system or replace it with a new one.  It meets on Thursday, May 29 , at 9:30 am.   Topics  include:  understanding system specifications, determining system needs, how to upgrade  and what to look for when buying a new PC.  The cost is $5. Advance registration is necessary, call 266-6581.  

‘AN ARTFUL AFFAIR” SENIOR ART SHOW.   “An Artful Affair” is an opportunity to display artwork and compete for cash prizes.  Works in watercolor, pastels oils ink/pencil, chalk, acrylics or mixed media can be entered.  The Opening is planned for downtown Madison’s Gallery Night on Friday, May 2.  For a brochure or for more information call 266-6581. 

Tuesday Movie Matinees .  On June 3, see Juno.  Facing an unplanned pregnancy, teenage Juno (Ellen Page) devises a plan to locate the proverbial perfect parents to adopt her baby.  But the seemingly ideal couple Juno chooses still has some growing up to do.  Independent.  PG-13  See 27 Dresses on June 17.  Tired of being a perpetual bridesmaid, altruistic Jane (Katherine Heigl) finds herself facing her worst nightmare as her younger sister (Malin Akerman) announces her engagement to the man Jane secretly adores.  Comedy.  PG-13  Both movies  begin at 1 pm and there is no charge. 

Nano Art Class  Artisans have used nano-sized particles of silver and gold for hundreds of years to create colored pieces of stained glass.  In this two-week class design and create a faux stained glass sun catcher that combines ancient techniques with modern technologies. See how closely art and science are connected.  The class meets Thursdays, June 5 & 12, from 1 – 3 pm.  The cost is $8 and includes all supplies.   Advance registration is necessary, call 266-6581.

Celebrate Wisconsin Senior Games 25^th Anniversary!   There is something for everyone at the Wisconsin Senior Games!  Game week is June 8 – 14, in locations all over the Dane County.  Registration deadline is May 19.   The Wisconsin Senior Games are “Games Worth Playing” for everyone 50 years and older.   Visit www.wiseniorgames.com for more information.  

Gentle Yoga Classes.  Would you like to learn how to breathe better and relax, have more movement and flexibility, build strength and balance? Then this eight-week class is for you!  Two class times to choose from Mondays, June 9, 6:30 – 7:30 pm or Wednesdays, June 11, 10:15-11:15am.  The cost is $40. Advance registration is necessary, call 266-6581.

Attitude Adjustment Group.  On Thursday, June 12, at 12:30 pm, come and rejuvenate yourself .  The topic is “The Revitalizing affects of Nature.”  There is no charge! 

Discover Your OZ Energy.  As mind-body-spirit beings, we have three energy centers: thinking, feeling & doing.  Scarecrow, TinMan & Cowardly Lion sang: "If I only had a brain, ... a heart, ... the nerve!"  Come and join them on their journey of discovery, Thursday. June 12 and 19, 12:30 - 2:30 pm.  Be “at home” with ALL of who you are!  There’s no place like home.   The cost is $5.  Advance registration is necessary, call 266-6581.

Come to a vision fair to learn more about your sight!  Isthmus Eye Care in partnership with TechAbility will be hosting a Vision Fair Saturday, June 14,  from 11am -3:30 pm.  The purpose of the Fair is to educate the Madison community on the importance of eye health care for all ages.  Visit booths and hear talks on different aspects of eye and vision care including children’s vision, senior vision and more.  There is no charge.   

Saturday Evening Meal.  “Home on the Range” is the theme for the June 14, evening meal.  Beginning at 5 pm, enjoy a good old BBQ, featuring bbq pork, chicken, baked beans and potato salad.  Following KG & the Ranger entertain with their cowboy classics.  The cost is $3.50. Advance reservations care necessary and made at 266-6581.  The deadline is noon Wednesday, June 11.  Limited transportation is available.      

Landscape Painting Class.  Take home a finished oil painting in this six-hour class.  Learn to prepare your canvas, mix colors and several brush stokes for a landscape that includes trees, clouds, and, water. If meets on Friday, June 20, from 9 am - 3 pm.  Bring a canvas.  The cost is $40 for persons over 55 ($45 for those younger.)  Advance registration is necessary, call 266-6581.

Understanding The Brain.  This video-class looks into complex organ, the Brain and shows how it works!  It is amazing that this small mass of tissue is the source of our personalities, dreams, movements and much more.  And scientists are still discovering it’s mysteries.  Taught by Prof. Jeanette Norden, Vanderbilt University.  Part 1 of this two-part class begins Monday, June 23, from 12 – 1:30 pm.  The cost is $10. Advance registration is necessary, call 266-6581.

25^th Anniversary Celebration.  The Madison Senior Center Celebrates it’s 25^th Anniversary this summer!  The theme for this year’s Celebration is “A Tribute to Silver Success” and they are planned on the 25^th of each of the summer months!   Celebrate our past on Wednesday, June 25, from 1 – 3 pm.   The program opens with remarks from Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, Other special guest invited included are past and present Governors and Mayors, Senators and Representatives. The Keynote Speech is “Personal observations and reflections” by Barbara Quirk.  The program is followed by refreshments and begins at 1 pm. 

Employment  Support Services.  On the second and fourth Monday, from 1 – 4 pm, one-on-one employment support services are available for persons 50 years and older, searching for employment.   Services provided include assistance with resume and cover letter writing, interviewing techniques and job search planning.  Appointments are necessary, call 266-6581. 

Senior Beat.   City Channel 12 and the Senior Center bring television programming “for, by and about seniors.”  The May guest are the Millers.   Midge Miller and Chandra Miller Fienen will talk about their experiences in the world of politics from their very different generations and ways in which we can work together across the age lines and enrich each other's experiences as we work toward common goals.  Sen. Mark Miller (as Midge's son and Chandra's father) will discuss politics today in the state legislature and some of the current legislation that will impact seniors. The June show features The Madison Senior Center’s 25^th Anniversary celebrations and  MATC President Dr. Bettsey Barhorst, her subject is what the school offers for seniors.  You can watch Senior Beat on Channel 12 as follows:  Wednesdays at 6 pm, Saturdays at 7 pm, and Sundays at 8:30 am and 5:30 pm.

MyMedicare  Matters.  Lost in the Medicare maze?  For reliable Medicare information for yourself or a loved one, stop by the Computer Lab, any Friday afternoon from 12:30 - 2:30 pm. A trained volunteer will guide you to credible sites offering specific resources.  Printed handouts with local resources are also available.  Take advantage of this free assistance.  Questions: call 267-2344.

EMPLOYMENT  SUPPORT SERVICES.  On the second and fourth Monday, from 1 – 4 pm, one-on-one employment support services are available for persons 50 years and older, searching for employment.   Services provided include assistance with resume and cover letter writing, interviewing techniques and job search planning.  Appointments are necessary, call 266-6581.