BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENINGS: Wednesday, August 1 from 9:30-10:30am. Free blood pressure readings and consultation for interested older adults. Provided by retired Geriatric & Adult Nurse Practitioner Gail Kimball.

HANDMADE CARD WORKSHOP: Wednesday, August 1 at 1:00pm. Complete six handmade birthday and friendship cards in one two-hour workshop session. All supplies will be provided. Cost is $12 per person payable upon arrival. Instructor is Daphne Houghton. Members need to register in advance by calling the Center at 704-216-7714.

AARP ICE CREAM SOCIAL: Thursday, August 2 at 1:00pm. An open invitation is extended to local adults age 50+ to attend the regular monthly meeting of AARP Chapter #4314 which will include an old fashioned ice cream social. Reservations are not required. Call 704-216-7714 for more information.

MIND AEROBICS ART CLASS: An introduction to mass drawing, pastels and sculpture is explained and demonstrated by professional artist Robert Toth. Explore the novelty that keeps the brain alive through the inspiration that art can give you. Choice of Monday or Friday afternoons from 2-4pm. $10 per session payable to the instructor.

WATERCOLOR WORKSHOPS: Monday evenings at 7:00pm with Frank Saunders. Receive individual guidance and benefit from group instruction as you work on your own watercolor projects. $12 fee per session payable to the instructor. Pre-registration is not required.

BALANCE & FALL PREVENTION FAIR: Wednesday, August 8 from 1:30-3:30 pm. Do you or a loved one have a fear of falling? This hands-on event will feature interactive stations with experts on hand to help you reduce the risk of falling. Included will be Physical Therapists, Matter of Balance Trainers, an Optometrist, a Pharmacist, a Massage Therapist, a Clinical Nurse, and a Hearing Aid Specialist. There will be balance tests, walker and cane evaluations, tips for fall-proofing your home, tools to help you stay on your feet, tai chi and chair yoga demonstrations, and more. Refreshments will be served. Open to older adults and their caregivers or loved ones. Bring a list of medications if pharmaceutical evaluation is desired. There is no charge to participate. Sponsored by Rufty-Holmes Senior Center and Rowan Regional Medical Center. Register by Monday, August 6 by calling the Front Desk at 704-216-7714.

HEALTHY VEGETARIAN COOKING WITH LYNDA: GET THE FAT FACTS: Thursday, August 9 at 12:30 pm. Join Lynda Teter Aquatic Fitness Specialist and life-long vegetarian as she demonstrates her unique array of healthy, tasty entrees and snacks. Lynda will share a variety of recipes with you to help you on your way to healthy eating. There will be food tasting, informative handouts, recipes and a short lecture. Bring your appetite. Please note that some of the food will contain soy nuts or wheat products. This is the last cooking lesson for the year. Spaces are limited. Participants must register by Monday, August 6 at the Front Desk. In order to reserve your space, the $10 fee must be paid at the time of registration.

CULTURAL CROSSROADS LUNCHEON – THE UKRAINE: Monday, August 13 at noon. The third in a series of events designed to learn about other countries and cultures. We’ll enjoy an authentic Ukrainian lunch prepared by the chefs at Magnolia Gardens, as well as hear a presentation on the Ukraine by Alexandra Shadroy. $5.00 per person at the door. Open to any interested adult, but reservations are required by August 9 by calling 704-216-7714.

ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION AQUATIC PROGRAM: Six consecutive Fridays from 1:00-1:45 pm beginning Friday, August 17. The Arthritis Foundation Aquatics Program (AFAP) is a gentle, warm-water, non-impact, joint-protecting workout, that will help participants gain strength, increase flexibility, and decrease joint pain and stiffness. Daily range of motion exercises are recommended for older adults especially those with arthritis. Following Arthritis Foundation guidelines, participants will be instructed in mild aquatics exercises designed to safely keep joints in motion and improve sense of well-being. The program is great for beginners or those with some limitation and is taught by an Arthritis Foundation Certified instructor. Make new friends and give support to one another. Register early, spaces are limited. Register by calling the Front Desk at 704-216-7714. There is no charge for the program, but voluntary contributions are accepted.

MOVIE OF THE MONTH: Wednesday, August 22 at 2:00pm. Sponsored by Mary Moose, Registered Financial Consultant & Planner, for interested Center members. Come out and enjoy “Iron Lady,” with Meryl Streep, rated PG-13, on our big screen, complete with popcorn and drinks. Free. (Motion picture license # 12137390).

BUS TRIP TO COLUMBIA, SC: Thursday, August 23. Bus leaves Senior Center parking lot at 8:00am enroute to the South Carolina capital where we’ll tour the Robert Mills House, circa 1823; and the Hampton-Preston Mansion, a restored 1818 antebellum home. Lunch will be provided for the group at another historic site catered by one of Columbia’s most popular establishments, Di Prato’s. As we return home, we’ll hopefully have time to stop at one of the roadside peach stands. In addition to the bus, all stops will be air-conditioned. There will be some walking involved. The bus will return to the Senior Center by 8:00pm. Cost is $55 per person and includes motorcoach transportation, house tours, lunch, taxes and tips.

Interested older adults need to pre-pay at the Senior Center in order to reserve a seat on the bus. Reservations are first-come, first-served, and you can pick your seat assignment at the time of purchase. You must be a member of the Center to purchase a ticket. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, August 1 at 2:00pm.

LEGAL SERVICES SEMINAR: Friday, August 24 at 10:00am. Presented by Attorney Shazia Keller with Legal Aid of North Carolina. Learn about the “Senior Help Line” that can provide local older adults with brief legal advice and services on a large variety of topics by phone; as well as appointment assistance that is available to help one with wills, living wills, and health care power of attorney & living wills documents at Rufty-Holmes Senior Center. All work is done by licensed attorneys without charge. Pre-registration for the seminar is requested by calling 704-216-7714.

COMPUTER CLASSES: Register by paying the registration fee at the Front Desk.
Buying and Selling on the Internet
Wednesday, August 1through Friday, August 3 from 1:00-3:00 pm.
Want a way to earn some money? Maybe you are looking for that perfect gift for someone? Maybe you would like a way to get rid of all the stuff cluttering up your house? This is the perfect class for you. We will explore various sites on which you can buy and sell. Class members will also help place items for sale on a couple of sites. Fee for the class is $20.

Introduction to Computers
Wednesday, Aug. 8 through Friday, August 10 from 9:00 am-12:00 noon.
This class introduces you to basics of Windows, Microsoft and the Internet. We will spend approximately one class period on each area. A good way to get started on that computer that has been just sitting there waiting on you! The fee is $28.

The Internet: Not Just for Email!
Wednesday, August 15 and Thursday, August 16 from 2:00-4:00 pm.
Let’s explore all the different things you might be able to do on the internet. As a class, we will look at specific things but then there will be time for you to explore on your own. An important part of the class will be sharing what we find with each other. The fee is $10.

Microsoft Word
Wednesday, August 22 through Friday, August 24 from 2:00-4:00 pm.
Move from typing emails into letter writing, creating a letterhead template for yourself, writing newsletters, making flyers, etc. Come see what Microsoft Word has to offer. The cost of the class is $20.

My Computer Class: Write your own class
Thursday, August 30 and Friday, August 31 from 9:00 am-12:00noon .
Meant for those who have some experience on computer, this class allows you to “write your own course of study.” What is it you want to explore a little bit more? Maybe you can do word processing (typing) but would like to do a family newsletter; how do you do it? Maybe you can email but want to try shopping or blogging; how do you get started? The fee is $20.

EXERCISE CLASSES: One may join one of our on-going senior exercise classes after screening and consultation with the Fitness Staff. A variety of offerings are available at different levels, and include Senior-Lite Jazzercise, Coed Fitness, SilverSneakers I Muscular Strength & Range of Movement, Strength-ercise, Cardio Strength Training, Tai Chi, and Chair Yoga, as well as arthritis water exercise and cardiovascular water exercise classes. Strength and aerobic fitness equipment is also available for use, with trained staff accessible to provide an orientation and instruction. Inquire at the Front Desk for more information or call 704-216-7714.

CHAIR MASSAGES: Twenty-minute sessions are available at Rufty-Holmes Senior Center by appointment with Travis Alligood, LMBT. Cost is $12 per session. To schedule an appointment call 704-640-3718.

Enjoy BINGO every Tuesday from 1-3pm for $1.50, sponsored by Beltone Hearing Aid Centers.

Members are invited to enjoy CARD & GAME DAY Thursdays from 1-4pm. Free with refreshments.

CLUB MEETINGS THIS MONTH:
TOPS Chapter – Each Monday at 9:30am
Men’s Breakfast Club – Each Tuesday at 8:30am
Rufty-Holmes Lady Liners – Each Tuesday at 10:00am
Creative Needles Group – Each Wednesday at 9:30am
R-H Computer Club – Each Thursday at 10:00am
Woodcarvers Group – Each Thursday at 1:30pm
Evergreen Bridge Club – Each Friday at 1:00pm
Seniors Morning Out – Thursday, August 2 at 10:00am
AARP Chapter – Thursday, August 2 at 1:00pm
Golf Association of Rowan Seniors – Monday, August 6 at 8:30am
Ambassadors Club – Monday, August 6 at noon
Seniors Without Partners – Thursday, August 9 at 9:00am
Walkabouts – Thursday, August 9 at 1:00pm
Starry Night Quilters – Thursday, August 9 at 6:30pm
Rufty-Holmes Garden Club – Monday, August 13 at 2:00pm
Rowan Amateur Radio Society – Monday, August 13 at 6:30pm
Salisbury-Rowan Quilters Guild Meeting – Thursday, August 16 at 1:00pm
Carolina Artists – Thursday, August 16 at 7:00pm
Southside Extension Homemakers – Monday, August 20 at 10:00am
NARFE – Monday, August 20 at 1:00pm
Rowan Doll Society – Tuesday, August 21 at 11:30am
Ole Rowan Fiber Guild – Monday, August 27 at 6:30pm

LUNCH CLUBS: Rufty-Holmes Senior Center offers eight locations throughout Rowan County for adults age 60 and older to gather for lunch, fellowship and educational programs Monday thru Friday. Clubs are located in China Grove, Cleveland, East Spencer, Granite Quarry, Rockwell, Spencer and Salisbury. There is no charge to participate, but donations are encouraged and accepted. For more information, call 704-216-7702.

BROADCAST BINGO: Available through the Center’s Outreach Program for Rowan County older adults age 60 and older. Win prizes from Chick-Fil-A and My Farm Fresh MarketPlace by listening daily to Memories 1280 Radio. Call 704-216-7707 to enroll and for more information. Free.

LISTEN TO “SENIOR MOMENTS” DAILY MONDAY-FRIDAY AT 6:25am & 10:25am ON MEMORIES 1280 WSAT RADIO.

VETERAN SERVICES: The Rowan County Veterans Service Office is located at Rufty-Holmes Senior Center. Service Officer Elaine Howle is available to meet with Rowan County veterans to assist them in applying and receiving all VA benefits to which they are legally entitled. For an appointment, call 704-216-8138.

APPOINTMENTS FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE: Several times a year an attorney with Legal Aid of North Carolina, Inc. will be available to meet with interested persons at the Center by appointment to provide assistance in non-criminal matters (family law, public assistance, housing, consumer protection, etc). The service is free to low-income adults age 60 or older, provided with regional funds from the Area Agency on Aging. For information, and to schedule an appointment, call the NC Legal Aid office at 1-877-579-7562 and identify yourself as an older adult residing in Rowan County.

ASSISTANCE WITH HEARING NEEDS: For individuals who are hard of hearing and need assistance with hearing devices or telephone communication. Sponsored by the NC Division of Services for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing. Schedule an appointment at Rufty-Holmes by calling 1-800-835-5302.

“SAFE” ASSISTANCE: Rowan County older adults age 60+, or those with a disability, are eligible for assistance through the Safety Assessment for Emergencies (SAFE) Project sponsored by the Senior Center and funded through the generous support of the Robertson Family Foundation. Free smoke & carbon monoxide detectors as well as high visibility, glow –in-the-dark house number signs can be obtained free of charge. For more information call 704-216-7704.

“ARE YOU OK?” SERVICE: Sign up for free daily automated telephone safety checks through the Center by calling 704-216-7704.

INSURANCE INFORMATION PROGRAM ASSISTANCE: Rufty-Holmes Senior Center is the Rowan County location for the Seniors Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) operated by the NC Department of Insurance. Staff and trained counselors are available to assist individuals and families with impartial information on Medicare supplemental and prescription drug plans by appointment. Call 704-216-7703 for more information.

GOLD CARDS: Rowan County residents age 62 and older can obtain passes to attend home Rowan-Salisbury Schools athletic, musical and drama events free of charge. These can be obtained at the Front Desk at the Center with a photo ID.

GENERAL INFORMATION & ASSISTANCE: Staff members are available to assist individuals and families with general information and assistance in utilizing various community services available to older adults. If you have a need, call the Center’s Information & Assistance Program at 704-216-7700.

Need a ride to the senior center? The city bus serves the senior center hourly (at approximately 5 minutes past the hour) monday – friday on route # 1. for information call 704-638-5252.
County residents age 60 and older can qualify for transportation assistance to the center at 704-216-8888.

Scholarship assistance is available for any local older adult who needs help with program fees for classes or activities. No one is refused participation based on an inability to pay program fees. Support for program scholarships is provided by the Blanche & Julian Robertson Family Foundation. Contact any staff member for information.

View additional information at www.ruftyholmes.org