Local Events Calendar

You asked, we listened. James Cobo Latin Dance Night is BACK, my friends.  Come shake da goods and grab a drink with us every 1st, 3rd, and 5th Thursday at 9pm!

Mixed metal jewelry by Nell Chandler, figurative sculpture by Lynn
Wartski, expressive contemporary paintings by Michele Yellin. Opening online April
24^th. HGA is owned by 21 local artists featuring painting,
sculpture, photography, glass art, jewelry, wood, pottery, art dolls, textiles
& fiber art. View the show online at www.HillsboroughGallery.com through
May 24^th.

In this unprecedented spring, what is blooming in Chapel Hill?

CREATIVITY IN BLOOM ONLINE CONTEST

Create green projects and compete for prizes while at home!

CALL FOR ENTRIES

Registration: May 10-30, 2020

Online Voting: June 1-15, 2020

Creativity In Bloom is an exciting event brought to you by We Sense’s environmental awareness programming.  It promotes environmental stewardship and engages our community in collective creativities through an online contest of green projects. 

Aiming to inspire a greener lifestyle and community, the Creativity In Bloom online contest invites local residents to participate in one or both of the following ways:

CREATE!  Create your project using recycled materials, take a picture (optional: add a link to a short YouTube video presentation), write a statement (in 50-100 words), and submit the contest entry form between May 10-30, 2020.

VOTE!  Cast your votes online between June 1-15, 2020 to select “People’s Choice Award” winners, whether or not you sign up to compete.

Individuals, families and neighborhood friends (in keeping with safe distance guidelines) are encouraged to explore and create green projects of any kind incorporating recycled/reused materials. Here are some ideas to ignite your creativity flame: handcrafted sculptures, mini robots, toys, board games, variety garden arts, miniature gardens, obstacle courses, STEAM applications and more. Possibilities are endless. Don’t miss the opportunities to be part of the Creativity In Bloom and win prizes!

Let your creativity soar. 

Be inspired by one another.  

Together our community blooms.

To learn more and sign up, visit www.chbloom.org.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZER

Community In Bloom is organized by We Sense and its volunteer team. We Sense is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Chapel Hill (www.we-sense.org).

Strong and Steady focuses on full-body strengthening and balance exercises using exercise bands, hand weights, and ankle weights. The class incorporates exercises that are reviewed and recommended by evidence-based programs like A Matter of Balance, Fit and Strong, and the Otago exercise program. The class is guided by licensed physical therapist, Vicki Tilley, who will help modify exercises as needed. It is great for beginners as well as advanced exercisers. Join Vicki on Facebook every Monday and Thursday from 10 – 11 am.

· STRONG & STEADY on Facebook, fostering independence for seniors!

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/vicki.tilley.14

The volunteers at Seymour Tech are offering our Remote Learning curriculum. We bring classes to your home through the internet using Zoom – just the way schools around Chapel Hill are doing.

Upcoming classes include:
Introduction to Your Mac, OS X, and Mac Apps Part 2
Facebook on PCs
Getting Organized with Your Folders & Files
Introduction to Ancestry.com
Facebook on iPhones & iPads
iTunes & iCloud on PCs
Clinic for iPhone & iPad Users
See the full class listing and sign up information here.

https://www.seymourtechcenter.org

Join Steve Toll live as he performs a variety of songs, conversation and stories. Due to the popularity of this program, Steve is now performing his, Tune in Tuesdays, on a daily basis. Steve performs a variety of music throughout the decades and as you listen you will find yourself clapping and singing along to these beloved tunes. Every day you can lift your spirit and benefit from, the power of music.

To register, please call 919-245-2015.

Date: Daily

Time: 1 – 1:30 pm

Contact https://www.facebook.com/ComForCareCorporate/

A Gift from Heartfulness Institute to Everyone!

Due to the unprecedented COVID-19 situation, a lot of us are experiencing a significant surge in stress, fear, anxiety and burnout. The Heartfulness Institute, a non-profit organization, would like to give everyone a gift of emotional well-being.

We are offering 6 weekly sessions that will help you to navigate these turbulent times. These practical sessions on meditation, rejuvenation and other techniques will help you cultivate self-awareness and develop emotional harmony.

We invite you to join on this journey of calm and relaxation in the midst of our currently uncertain daily lives.

Weekly sessions are held on Tuesday’s at 12:00pm. Please register at http://heartfulnessatwork.eventbrite.com.

Medicare & Health Insurance

The Orange County Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) is continuing to assist Orange County residents age 55 with questions about Medicare and ACA/Obamacare plans. All consultations are currently done over the phone or video chat. To schedule an appointment, please call 919-245-4274.

Your input matters! We are seeking feedback to improve the Senior Times. We want to hear from you about what you enjoy about the Senior Times, challenges and potential improvements we could make.

Please help us by filling out the survey below. All responses are anonymous. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete and can be completed on a smart phone or computer. Please complete the survey on or before May 31 at 12PM. Thank you!

https://unc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0dK56wS7yd4CfOt

Check out our at-home exercise options offered by OCDOA Wellness Program instructors and staff to help keep you fit and healthy. Visit Fit Seniors to connect with LIVE classes from Dianne, Judy, and Vicki, or pre-recorded videos from Charron, Salli, and Kevin!
http://www.co.orange.nc.us/2371/Fit-Seniors

Watch for more options in the future and get started today!

At-Home Activities
Missing your usual activities at the Seymour and Passmore Centers? Check out our new list of at-home activities, curated by your favorite senior center staff members!

Download our listing of online activities that mirror some of our drop in activities including crosswords, card games, reading books, painting, table tennis, DIY projects, and more. Find the updated list on the Senior Center Online Programs Page!
http://www.co.orange.nc.us/236/Senior-Center-Programs

Social distancing remains the best way to prevent exposure, however grocery shopping is a necessity for us all. Grocery delivery and curbside pick up are great options to limit exposure, but this is not possible for everyone. Our Volunteer Connect 55 program now offers Grocery Delivery Service. If you are in need of grocery delivery, or if you know an older adult who would benefit from this service, Volunteer Connect 55 complete the online request form or contact the Aging Helpline at 919-968-2087. This service is being offered to Orange County residents age 60 and over, ordering requirements apply. If you do have to go shopping, Here are some tips on how to go grocery shopping safely during the coronavirus pandemic. Find the resources here https://www.orangecountync.gov/2…/Frequently-Asked-Questions under Tips for Grocery Shopping and available in three languages.

Talk to trained staff about any aging-related issue. You may also email Aging Services. We try to find answers to your age-related questions and link you to the services that you need. Helpline hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Chinese & Spanish Language Helpline
Call 919-245-4275 to speak to our staff in Mandarin.
Call 919-245-4279 ext. 1 to leave a message in Spanish.

Aging Transitions, Senior Center programming and Volunteer Connect 55 staff are available to meet individually by appointment, by phone or email (agingtransitions@orangecountync.gov). For more information call the Passmore Center at 919-245-2015, Seymour Center at 919-968-2070, or the Aging Helpline at 919-968-2087.

The Orange County Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) is continuing to assist low and moderate-income taxpayers with their 2019 tax returns that are now due by July 15. VITA services are free to those that have incomes below $65,000 for a single person or $90,000 for a household. Those with social security retirement benefits must file an income tax return if their income from other sources plus 50% of their social security benefit exceeds $24,000 ($32,000 for a married couple).

If you haven’t yet filed your 2019 tax return you may be able to participate in our Virtual VITA program. You must have access to the internet, an active email account, and either a computer and scanner or a cell phone with a camera. We can now assist you through this program, even if you did not use our services for 2018 taxes. Send an email to ocncvita@gmail.com for more information.

We also hope to open a Drop-Off Service in June to allow taxpayers to bring their tax documents into one of our locations during designated times. You’ll complete some forms and we will scan your tax documents. Your returns will be completed by our certified preparers and you’ll return to the same location to pick up a copy of your return. Watch for more information on the status of this program at www.orangecountync.gov/ocncvita or get current information at 919-245-4242.

The Studio at A Step To Health is taking our movement classes online! Join us on Zoom for classes with our engaging Hillsborough teachers:

Virtual Core & More with Larissa Parson

Sundays from 10-11:15am

Yin and Restorative Yoga with AnnMarie Mello-Morris

Mondays from 5-6:15pm

Virtual Pilates with Kathleen Lezama

Wednesdays from 5:30-6:15pm

Learn more about our beginner-friendly virtual classes at thestudiohillsborough.com/virtualclasses. Just like our in-person classes, if you live in the local area your first class with us is free!

Board games and Bellinis with 80’s music at YONDER every Sunday. Play one of our games or bring your own.

Tuesday is always Senior’s Day

at CommunityWorx in Carrboro & Chapel Hill

( Folks 55+ receive 25% off all merchandise EXCEPT for furniture & clothing! Must show identification at check out… applicable at both stores)

Architectural oil
paintings by Chris Graebner, Turned wooden vessels by Michael Salemi, Abstract
metal sculpture by Jason Smith. Opening online May 29^th. Hillsborough
Gallery of Arts121 N. Churton Street Hillsborough NC. HGA is owned by 21 local
artists featuring painting, sculpture, photography, glass art, jewelry, wood,
pottery, art dolls, textiles & fiber art. View the show online at
www.HillsboroughGallery.com through June 21st.

Just because we have to keep our distance, doesn’t mean we have to stay inside! Join the Duke Lemur Center for our very own #StayAway5K, with all proceeds benefiting lemur care and conservation!

Register at https://lemur.duke.edu/5k, then run – or walk – a 5K, by yourself, on May 30 or 31. Your $30 registration fee benefits lemurs AND includes a Stay Away 5K commemorative t-shirt!

What’s a Stay Away 5K? Watch this video of our Director and DLC mascot Maky showing you exactly how to do it: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=158847522218450!

This is a remote 5K — you do not need to be local to participate! Run or walk wherever you live!

🎉 CONTEST ALERT! 🎉 Attention artists of all ages: Before we can run or walk, we need an awesome t-shirt design for this event! Send us your t-shirt designs and, if yours is chosen, you’ll win a very special prize pack AND your artwork will be printed on the t-shirts distributed to Stay Away 5K participants! Learn more: https://lemur.duke.edu/5k-shirt.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! With the center’s closure due to COVID-19, your support will mean more than ever to us! Donations through this event will help us to make up for revenues that we would have otherwise generated from spring and summer site tours and fundraisers like our wildly popular Lemurpalooza events. Gifts through this virtual race will support our care and conservation of lemurs, the most endangered mammals on Earth!

Join Eat the Frog Fitness for a virtual Zoom workout!

The workout is 45 minutes long and will include a warm-up and cool down session. It will be on a Zoom link and the workout will be displayed on a giant screen behind the trainer who will be demonstrating the exercise.

We will also provide modifications for that exercise or even offer an alternative exercise.

We would suggest having water ready. A towel or yoga mat would also be something that may be of use to some. We would suggest everyone have a 6-by-6 foot work space.

Please turn on your cameras to give us the ability to help with exercises as needed! People can listen to their own music if they’d like, but please mute your mic if you do so.

Please log in at 8:50 for a 9 a.m. start time!

ZOOM Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86211364089pwd=M2VwOXl4S2R0dUVxKzEzek56YytHUT09

The Studio at A Step To Health is taking our movement classes online! Join us on Zoom for classes with our engaging Hillsborough teachers:

Virtual Core & More with Larissa Parson

Sundays from 10-11:15am

Yin and Restorative Yoga with AnnMarie Mello-Morris

Mondays from 5-6:15pm

Virtual Pilates with Kathleen Lezama

Wednesdays from 5:30-6:15pm

Learn more about our beginner-friendly virtual classes at thestudiohillsborough.com/virtualclasses. Just like our in-person classes, if you live in the local area your first class with us is free!

Board games and Bellinis with 80’s music at YONDER every Sunday. Play one of our games or bring your own.