Senior Center has a plethora of activities coming up — even tax assistance

||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER |||

Breakthrough Speech-Language Pathology Healthcare @ Orcas Senior Center – Tuesday, March 21

Speech-Language Pathologist, Libby Lewis, will offer free cognition and swallow screenings at Orcas Senior Center on Tuesday, March 21. Screenings involve a review of concerns, a brief one-page assessment of cognition or observation of consumption of one food and one liquid item. A discussion of next steps to consider will follow. Libby will also give a brief presentation about swallow problems at 1pm. Are you experiencing challenges swallowing food, liquid, or pills? Coughing or choking on occasion? Join Libby in a discussion of what might cause such problems and what can be done to help.

Libby provides speech-language services to adults throughout the region. Her services target assessment and treatment in the following areas: speech articulation, expressive & receptive language, cognition, voice, and swallow safety. To schedule an appointment with Libby at OSC on Tuesday, March 21, please contact her directly at libby@breakthrough-speech.com or 360-230-8010. To learn more about Libby, visit http://www.breakthrough-speech.com/.

Feldenkrais Method/Eurythmy Class @ Orcas Senior Center, beginning Tuesday, March 7 and 14, 11am

Orcas Senior Center and Andrea Preiss, Feldenkrais Method practitioner and therapeutic eurythmist, invite you to join a movement class at Orcas Senior Center on Tuesday, March 7 and 14 at 11am. Mainly in sitting position, the gentle exercises of the Feldenkrais Method and eurythmy, will help enhance your mobility, stability, balance, and vision. Series fee is $96 ($80 for friends of OSC) or drop in for $12 per session ($10 for friends of OSC). Please wear comfortable clothing and non-slippery shoes.

Andrea is a physical therapist that has been practicing the Feldenkrais Method and eurythmy for nearly 40 years. Certified in Germany in 2002, Andrea taught at various locations throughout Seattle and started a private practice in 2019.  

For inquiries, reach out directly to Andrea at andrea-preiss@sound-movement.org or 206-383-7705. To learn more about Andrea go to https://sound-movement.org/.

Ukulele Kanikapila and Beginners’ Ukulele Class @ Orcas Senior Center – Mondays, 1-3pm (Kanikaplila) and Tuesdays, beginning March 7, 11am (class)

Join the ukulele Kanikipila, Hawaiian for “play music,” on Mondays, 1-3pm at Orcas Senior Center. The first half hour will be a lesson or two and then everyone will have the opportunity to play. Adults of all ages with all levels of ukulele expertise welcome to join in or sit and listen.

Don’t know how to play the ukulele but want to learn? Beginning Tuesday, March 7 at 11am, join Kathy Collister in a weekly beginners’ ukulele class. Kathy will recommend resources to help get you started, and focus will be on learning introductory chords and strumming. No fee for the class, but you will need to provide your own ukulele.

For all ukulele related inquiries, including questions about borrowing a ukulele, please email Kathy at kcollister15@gmail. Beginners and adults of all ages are welcome!

Slow Yoga and Chair Yoga with Susie Frank @ Orcas Senior Center – Thursdays, 9:15-10:15am (Slow Yoga) and 10:30-11:30am (Chair Yoga)  

Slow Yoga, offered on Thursdays, 9:15-10:15am at Orcas Senior Center, incorporates the use of props and supports to help gain access to postures safely and mindfully. It is ideal for those new to yoga or those seeking a slower more supported practice.

Chair Yoga, offered on Thursdays from 10:30-11:30am, is a gentle technique allowing seniors and persons with disabilities to practice balance poses without the risk of falling with the use of a chair as support.

An Orcas resident for over 30 years, Susie Frank has been practicing yoga since 2009 and received her yoga teacher training from 8 Limbs Yoga in Seattle in 2016. Susie suggests a $15 donation ($12 for friends of OSC) per class, but nobody will be turned away for lack of funds. Contact Susie directly for participation and payment inquiries at 360-298-4484 or sissooz@yahoo.com.

Taxes with Jim Biddick – Tuesdays, through April 14, 10:30am-4:30pm

April 15 will be here again before you know it, but fear not, Jim Biddick is back! Jim will be available by appointment to prepare tax returns for anyone with low to moderate income. Jim will be taking appointments on Tuesdays through April 14, 10:30am-4:30pm, at Orcas Island Library. To schedule an appointment, contact Jim directly at 360-376-2488 or jimsyled01@gmail.com.