During the COVID pandemic, the Pasadena Senior Center, 85 E. Holly Street, continues to offer many free online activities via Zoom for adults 50 and older as well as some onsite activities.
Registration for Zoom activities and most onsite events is required by visiting www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org and clicking on Activities & Events, Lectures & Classes, or Resources. Everyone who registers for Zoom events receives an email link for joining each activity online. Most free events via Zoom are recorded and televised on the Pasadena Senior Center YouTube channel. COVID protocols are observed for all onsite events at the center. All instructors and presenters are required to meet minimum COVID protocols.
Neither Pasadena Senior Center membership nor residency in Pasadena are required for these events. Some activities via Zoom are recorded and are available on the Pasadena Senior Center's YouTube channel.
Understanding Hospice – Thursday, May 5, at 10 a.m. via Zoom. Kathleen Vallee Stein, who was the primary caregiver for her terminally ill father, was moved to write the 2019 book "Loving Choices, Peaceful Passing: Why My Family Chose Hospice." During this Zoom event, she will discuss how Hospice can help minimize anxiety and confusion while terminally ill people and their loved ones make difficult yet important choices.
Monthly Food Distribution Program — Friday, May 6, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the parking lot at Pasadena Senior Center. Low-income adults 60 and older receive one free box of food and couples receive two. Each box includes foods that meet specific nutritional needs, such as cheese, canned fruits and vegetables, dry milk and related dairy products, cereals and other grain products, and more. Proof of income and California ID are required for first-time recipients. Boxes are heavy, so bring a pull-behind personal cart to the parking lot between the Pasadena Senior Center and the Metro Gold Line station. Opening boxes on the premises is prohibited. Masks and social distancing are required.
Movie Matinees – Fridays, May 6 to 27, at 1 p.m. onsite at Pasadena Senior Center. Each member may bring one nonmember guest. May 6: "Encanto" (2021, PG) with the voice talents of Stephanie Beatriz and John Leguizamo. A Colombian teenage girl has to face the frustration of being the only member of her family who does not have magical powers. May 13: "The Power of the Dog" (2021, R) starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Kirsten Dunst. A charismatic rancher's brother brings home a new wife and her son who are tormented by the rancher until he finds himself exposed to the possibility of love. May 20: "Walk the Line" (2005, PG-13) starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon. The film chronicles Johnny Cash's life from his difficult upbringing on an Arkansas farm to his move to Nashville where he recorded for legendary Sun Records, then went on tour where he met the love of his life, June Carter Cash. The film is based on true events. May 27: "How to Marry a Millionaire" (1953, NR) starring Marilyn Monroe and Lauren Bacall. Three women set out in search of eligible millionaires to marry but find true in the love process.
Chair Yoga – Tuesday, May 10, at 11 a.m. via Zoom. Improve balance, strength, flexibility and well-being while sitting in a chair or standing while using a chair for support during this gentle and meditative class.
Have Fun Cooking and Eating – Thursday, May 12, at 10 a.m. via Zoom. Sonia Lesko of Chefs for Seniors will discuss nutrition tips and healthy eating habits for older adults to consider as they age well and will share quick, nourishing recipes that can be easily prepared at home.
Music on the Patio: Bob, Don, and David – Thursday, May 12, at 2:00 pm onsite at Pasadena Senior Center. Join pianist Bob Lipson, singer Don Snyder, pianist Bob Lipson, and bassist David Young for another afternoon of music on the spacious patio featuring everybody's favorite show tunes and standards. Sing along, kick up your heels or simply tap your toes to the rhythm of the music.
Guided Tour of Pasadena Senior Center – Thursday, May 19, at 10 a.m. onsite at PSC. Take a guided tour with a Pasadena Senior Center ambassador and learn how PSC can enhance your life. Visit various areas of the center, peek in on activities and learn everything else about this first-ever accredited senior center in California. Tours are conducted the third Thursday of every month.
Stroke! – Thursday, May 19, at 10 a.m. via Zoom. Dr. Navdeep Sangha, a Kaiser Foundation neurologist, will discuss the signs of stroke and what to do if one happens to you or one of your loved ones, as well as how to help prevent stroke. .
Produce Distribution – Friday, May 20, from 9 to 11 a.m. (or until produce runs out) onsite at Pasadena Senior Center while supplies last. Bags of nutritious fresh vegetables will be distributed on the patio courtesy of the Order of Malta Mobile Ministries. One bag per person will be available; bring your own empty bag. Proof of COVID vaccination is required. Provided by Order of Malta Mobile Ministries. Registration is not required. For more information call 626-795-4331.
Health Fair – Friday, May 20, from 9 to 11 a.m. onsite at Pasadena Senior Center. Get free blood pressure and glucose testing, hearing tests, updates in Medicare health plans, community resources and more.
Lost and Found: How to Adjust to Losses and Find Fulfillment in Retirement – Thursday, May 26, at 10 a.m. via Zoom. Retirement can be marked by losses of profession, people, and purpose. Jill Love, geriatric care manager at Peters & Love Senior Care Consultants, will explain how to plan ahead for the social transitions of retirement while maintaining a sense of purpose and relevance within one's community. This workshop also is open to family members whose loved ones may be struggling to feel connected in later years, especially in light of physical and/or cognitive changes. Presented by Foundation for Senior Services.
Mediation and Dispute Resolution – Thursday, May 26, from 10 a.m. to noon. Learn how to resolve conflicts with the help of a trained mediator, from property ownership to landlord/tenant disputes, family disagreements, and more. Presented by Loyola Center for Conflict Resolution.
Music on the Patio: Cory Brendel – Thursday, May 26, at 2 p.m. onsite at Pasadena Senior Center. Back by popular demand, Cory Brendel will perform popular songs with his ukulele – from Tin Pan Alley to The Beatles with an emphasis on standards from the 1930s and 1940s.
In addition to online classes, onsite events, and other activities, members and nonmembers of the Pasadena Senior Center are encouraged to visit the website regularly for a monthly magazine, free food delivery for older adults in need, COVID updates specifically for older adults, and more.
The center, at 85 E. Holly Street, is an independent, donor-supported nonprofit organization that has served older adults for more than 60 years. During the pandemic, doors are open Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for social services and other critical services for older adults in need as well as the library, Sy Graff Fitness Center, computer lab, and limited occupancy for events. Rooms are sanitized after each use.
In accordance with Pasadena Public Health Department guidelines, proof of COVID vaccination is required for everyone who uses the fitness center or attends onsite activities indoors. Masks are optional.
