February may be the shortest month, but the Watertown Senior Center has a long list of activities for the month.
HEART HEALTH MONTH
Help us to celebrate Heart Health Month! This year Marie McCune, RN from Mt. Auburn Hospital, will speak to us about how to keep your heart healthy. After, we will enjoy a light brunch.
WHEN: Tuesday February 19 TIME: 10:30 – 12:30 PM COST: $ 7.00
Pre-registration is required and seating is limited. Stop by the Center to pick up and pay for your ticket. We are unable to hold a ticket without payment. Thank you for your understanding.
TWO TICKETS PER PERSON LIMIT. TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1.
Stay and enjoy the movie Casablanca, starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, starting at 1:00 pm.
FEBRUARY FLOWERS WITH ERNIE
Join us for a February Valentine’s celebration! Whether looking to pamper yourself or give as a gift you’ll love getting together with new and old friends as we make a beautiful flower arrangement. DATE: Thursday, February 7th TIME: 10:00 AM COST: $15.00 Pre-registration required.
FEBRUARY! DESSERT TIPS WITH CHEF TERESA
Chef Teresa, from The Residence at Watertown Square, will visit to show us how to make easy microwave desserts. WHEN: Tuesday, February 26 TIME: 10:00 AM SEATING LIMITED. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED!
INCOME TAXES AT THE SENIOR CENTER
Income tax help will again be available this year starting in February.
This program is intended for low to middle income taxpayers to file a simple form only.
Call the Senior Center at 617-972-6490 to see if you qualify to apply for this service.
ATTORNEY DALE TAMBURRO – MEDICAID (MASSHEALTH): ASSET PROTECTION:
In addition to any questions the following topics will be covered: Medicaid Rules and what they mean, Exempt Assets that are protected, The Difference between Assets and Income between Spouses, Irrevocable Income Only, Occupy Your Home TRUSTS, The Dramatic changes on how MassHealth is interpreting Irrevocable Trusts and what you need to do if you have one; Trusts to hold Real Estate advantages and disadvantages, “You can protect assets against Nursing Home Costs even if your spouse is heading or is already in a Nursing Home”, we will take a look at portions of an actual trust and talk about clauses that MassHealth are attacking and why.
DATE: February 27th TIME: 10:00 AM Pre-registration Requested.
ASK A NURSE
Wil VanDinter, Watertown Public Health Nurse, will be joining us on the FIRST Wednesday of each month from 10:00—11:00 for a blood pressure clinic. This month he is here February 6. He is also available to answer your health care questions. Stop by and say hi!
Public Safety Mornings
Tuesday, February 12 & 26 Coffee with Chief Lawn & Captain Dupuis
Thursday, February 28 Coffee with Captain Ryan Nicholson
MEDICARE CHANGES IN 2019
The annual Medicare Open Enrollment period ended on December 7, but you may still be able to change plans during 2019. New! – Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: For those who have a Medicare Advantage (HMO or PPO) plan at the beginning of the year, a change can be made from January 1 through the end of March. You can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or go back to Original Medicare. If you go back to Original Medicare during this period, you will have the option to enroll in a Medicare drug plan and you could also enroll in a Medigap plan. Any changes made during this period will be effective the first day of the following month. 5-Star Special Enrollment Period: Everyone on Medicare has an opportunity to enroll in a top-rated (5-Star) plan, once during the year.
Call the Senior Center at 617-972-6490 to set up an appointment, or if you still need assistance in reviewing your coverage, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). You can also compare plans online at www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan.
CASE WORKER COLUMN with MARINA KIRSANOVA, LSW
New! Group for English for Speakers of Other Languages
Watertown has a long history of being a home for a diverse and vibrant immigrant community, and in my role as case worker, I have come to know and work with many seniors who are concerned that their differences in language and culture are leading to isolation. Such isolation, especially among older adults, can harm their emotional and physical well-being.
Last year, we started a weekly ESL class. We see the ESL group as another venue to support older members of our community who come from diverse backgrounds, including recent immigrants to the United States.
The ESL class is led by volunteer teachers, with extensive experience in teaching and multicultural communication. The session is an hour long, and is held at our Senior Center on Wednesdays at 2 pm. The curricula includes basic grammar, reading, and writing skills reinforcement. Our students are given the opportunity to share their cultural backgrounds, history of Watertown, politics, and many other topics of common interest.
Please call the Senior Center at (617) 972-6490 or email me at mkirsanova@watertown-ma.gov to register for the class.
LEGAL APPOINTMENTS
Metro West Legal Services will be here on the third TUESDAY of each month by appointment. This month’s date is February 19th. Please call the Senior Center at 617-972-6490.
COMING IN MARCH
3/12 New Real ID by the Registry of Motor Vehicles, along with a Senior CharlieCard Day sponsored by State Senator Will Brownsberger.
3/13 E-Books — Watertown Free Public Library with Brita.
Watertown Food Pantry 80 Mount Auburn Street—Rear. OPEN: Tuesdays 10-11:30 AM Thursdays 4-6:00 PM
FOOD PANTRY REQUESTS – Canned Soup, Pasta Sauce, Pasta, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Cold Cereal, Canned Vegetables, Tuna Fish, Chick Peas, and Cooking Oil.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
February 6: Blood Pressure at 10:00 by Wat. Health Dept. Nurse, Wil VanDinter
* Note New Day * February 14: Podiatry Clinic at 11:00 AM. Toenails, corns, caluses only. The cost for this service is $25.00 payable to Dr. Alper. Insurance is not accepted..
February 28: Blood Pressure Screening at 10:00 by Linda Micklay, R.N. from CareGroup Home Care. Free.
Please help keep the Senior Center Healthy for All by staying at home if you feel sick or have flu-like symptoms. We hope you will rest up and we will be seeing you soon! Thank you!
THE SENIOR CENTER BOOK CLUB
WHEN: Wednesday, February 20 at 9:30. WHERE: Senior Center, 31 Marshall St. Join us to discuss: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. Copies of the book are available at the Watertown Free Public Library. Hilariously picaresque, epic in scope, alive with the poetry and vigor of the American people, Mark Twain’s story about a young boy and his journey down the Mississippi was the first great novel to speak in a truly American voice. Influencing subsequent generations of writers, from Sherwood Anderson to Twain’s fellow Missourian, T.S. Eliot, from Ernest Hemingway and William Faulkner to J.D. Salinger — Huckleberry Finn, like the river which flows through its pages, is one of the great sources which nourished and still nourishes the literature of America. New members are always welcome!
FEBRUARY MOVIE MATINEE
2/7 Denial: In the 1990s, well-known Holocaust denier David Irving sued historian Deborah Lipstadt — issuing a complaint under British law requiring the American academic to prove that the greatest atrocity of World War II actually took place. Cast: Rachel Weisz, Tom Wilkinson, Timothy Spall 2016 PG-13 110 mins.
2/14 How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days: To help land an account, a notorious player makes a bet with his co-workers that he can get a woman to fall in love with him in just 10 days. But he bets on the wrong girl — a writer who’s working on an article on how to get rid of a guy in 10 days. Cast: Kate Hudson, Matthew McConaughey, Kathryn Hahn 2003 PG-13 115 mins.
2/21 Ocean’s 8: The tide has turned and it’s a whole new “Ocean’s.” Danny Ocean’s sister, Debbie Ocean, recruits a seven women crew to plan and execute the heist of the century at New York City’s star-studded annual Met Gala.
Cast: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway 2018 PG-13 110 mins.
2/28 Pete’s Dragon: When a mysterious 10-year-old boy, Pete, turns up claiming to live in the woods with a giant green dragon, it’s up to a forest ranger, Grace, and the young Natalie to learn where the boy came from, where he belongs, and the truth about this magical dragon. Cast: Bryce Dallas Howard, Oakes Fegley 2016 PG 103 mins.
3/7 Breathe: This spirit-lifting biodrama tells the story of Robin Cavendish, whose charmed and colorful life suddenly darkens when he’s paralyzed by polio. Rather than become imprisoned by his disability, however, Robin and his wife decide to tour the world.
Cast: Andrew Garfield, Claire Foy, Tom Hollander 2017 PF-13 117 mins.
IMPORTANT REMINDER!
Please remember to use your My Senior Center key tag and check-in at the kiosk when you enter the building. Your record of attendance helps us to manage our programs and space effectively. If you don’t have a key tag, please ask at the Front Desk to register. It’s free! Thank you!
TRANSPORTATION for WATERTOWN SENIORS – Call the Senior Center at (617) 972-6490 for more information. GROCERY SHOPPING, TRIPS TO TARGET, MARSHALLS, WATERTOWN & ARSENAL MALLS Via the Watertown Senior Shuttle (617) 972-6490.
Call the Senior Center to be added to the route if you are new or need to change from your scheduled day. The Shuttle will pick you up and return you to your home. Approximately 1 hour of shopping time. Suggested donation is $1.00 Round Trip. 3 BAG LIMIT! Please show the driver your My Senior Center Key Tag. Applications available on the Senior Shuttle.
TRANSPORTATION TO THE SENIOR CENTER FOR PROGRAMS and SERVICES
(617) 972-6490 – We want to see you at the Senior Center! Call us! Program available as funding permits.
TO LOCAL DOCTORS – (617) 972-6490 – Call the Senior Center 2 days in advance to schedule your taxi ride.
You may tip the driver at your discretion. A spouse, friend, or companion may accompany you at no extra charge. Program available as funding permits.
THE MBTA RIDE
Have you thought about taking the MBTA Ride? For eligibility contact: THE RIDE – 617-337-2727 www.mbta.com/theride
OTHER SPECIAL SERVICES—CALL THE SENIOR CENTER AT (617) 972-6490 FOR DETAILS
¨ Metrowest Legal Services Clinic – Call to schedule a 20 minute appointment with the attorney
¨ Watertown Food Pantry at 80 Mount Auburn Street, Rear– Tuesdays 10-11:30 and Thursdays 4-6
¨ Senior Parking Permits – for up to 2 free hours of metered parking in Watertown’s municipal parking lots
JOIN ONE OF OUR REGULAR PROGRAMS
See Calendar on Page 7 for Dates and Times
Art Class — Mondays at 9:30 AM – Bring your own art project (oil, watercolor, pencil or ink) to this open studio.
Bridge/Chess/Cribbage/Rummikub/Whist/Canasta—See Calendar for Dates and Times – Bring your skills to any of these groups. Drop in and join in the afternoon fun.
Knitting—Wednesdays at 12:30 PM – Working on a project or need a little help? Stop in for an afternoon of creative work and conversation.
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) – Wednesdays at 2:00 PM – Explore history and culture while learning the English language with this group.
Mellowtones Choral Group—Fridays – Love to sing? This co-ed group led by music director Anne Silverman will put a song in your heart! All welcome. Fridays at 12:30 PM.
BINGO! Fridays at 10:00 AM for BINGO fun.
EXERCISE CLASSES at the SENIOR CENTER
$3 for each Exercise or Yoga class. $4 for Line Dancing.
Audio or Video Tape classes are Free. Each class lasts one hour.
In the absence of an instructor, the Senior Center reserves the right to substitute an instructor, offer a pre-recorded program, or cancel the class.
MONDAYS: 11:00 – Exercise with Shannon / or Video Tape
TUESDAYS: 9:30 – Exercise with Joanna G 11:15 – Line Dancing with Manny
WEDNESDAYS: 11:00 – Mat Yoga with Sue G. (Please bring your own mat.)
THURSDAYS: 9:30 – Chair Yoga with Diane S. 11:00 – Exercise by Video Tape
FRIDAYS: 10:40 – Exercise with Henry O. 12:30 – Tai Chi with Marie 2:15 – Seated Strength with Pearl
IN CASE IT SNOWS
If Watertown public schools are cancelled for inclement weather, all Senior Center programs, and shopping bus runs, are cancelled.
If school opening is delayed, the morning shopping bus run is cancelled, and Senior Center programs may be cancelled at the instructor’s discretion, so call before coming over. Staff members will be available during regular business hours.
School cancellation information is broadcast on local cable, radio & TV.
Remember, safety is your first priority. Use your own good judgment to decide if you should go out in bad weather. Questions? Call the Senior Center at 617-972-6490.
BE THE FIRST TO KNOW!
Have the Watertown Senior News emailed to your home computer every month by going to the Town website: www.watertown-ma.govand signing up on the ‘Notify Me’ list. Follow the link on the left side of the home page, scroll down to Watertown Senior News and check it off! Or call the Senior Center at 617-972-6490 with your email address & we’ll add it for you!