Did you know that CA is offering a 6-Class Pass for those 65+? The cost is $42. The pass can be obtained at the Athletic Club and must be used in a 30 day period. Some activities include Tai Chi, Aqua Arthritis at the pool, etc. You can repeat items you are interested in. However, these classes are offered only at certain times.
Get Info on the CA Class PassesA complete listing of CA fitness programs for Seniors can be found at the following link:
Get the Complete Listing of CA Senior Programs
A reminder to all of you Snowbirds out there. CA now sells Monthly Memberships for ALL classes of memberships. This also includes swimming pools for those of you who head south during part of the winter. If you want to swim year around, CA has a separate Pool Pass for the year that allows usage of the Indoor pool during the winter in Wilde Lake at $18 per month.
CA is currently updating its Strategic Plan. The SAC has proposed suggested changes. The major one we would like to see is the following incorporated:
“2. CELEBRATE “COLUMBIA FOR LIFE”. Ensure all ages and abilities can “age in place” to the maximum extent possible. Everyone is “aging” – celebrate aging by providing programs and services that everyone can look forward to at the next “age” or the next ability level. Celebrate “aging” as gained experience which makes better students, employees, customers, and volunteers throughout Columbia.”
My last Senior Corner was in January and a lot has happened since then. We are an active bunch providing suggestions and recommendations to CA on Senior issues! The Senior Events Shuttle (SES) funded by CA continues to provide free evening and weekend transportation for groups going to cultural events (groups of 4 or more Seniors 60+) Kudos to John Eberhard of Oakland Mills who volunteers and coordinates the SES requests. Vantage House is now providing some of this service with their shuttle bus. We are requesting in the SAC budget request to CA that the service and funding be expanded as more and more Boomers retire. To make reservations, call 410.715-3087.
Find Out More About the Senior Event Shuttle
All of us are interested in aging in Columbia. CA has established an “Older Adult Work Team” comprised of senior CA staff and myself and Rusty Toler (Vice-chair) that began in July, 2012. Its goal is to develop a 30 Year Plan for Aging in Columbia and should be completed by December. Outreach to Columbia residents occurred in late May and 150 residents attended. There is a very large interest by Columbia residents since in most Villages, those 55+ comprise over 25% of the Columbia population.
The next stage of the Plan includes a 1,000 person statistical survey of Older Adults in Columbia’s Villages. Please participate in the survey if you are called. It is legitimate.
Planning is currently underway to establish The Village in Howard(TVIH). About 250 people are on the Email list and a number of committees are meeting to decide on the form and services that will be provided. Next steps include forming a 501©(3) Non-profit. The TVIH will seek to do the following:
- Help you stay in your home as you grow older,
- Help you stay independent and self sufficient as you age, and
- Help you to stay connected to your community and be an active participant in the Howard community.
The TVIH will seek to build a community of like-minded individuals who want to live as active and connected senior citizens of their community. This is a grassroots effort. If you are interested in the TVIH, please Email Mary McGraw at quickdraw66@comcast.net. Currently, TVIH does not have a web site, but you can ask for the July newsletter.
Paul Verchinski is an Oakland Mills Resident and Chair of the CA Senior Advisory Committee (SRAC).