Boomers and beyond are keeping active and social at local senior centers.
The largest age group in Sonoma County in 2010 was 50 to 59, with nearly 74,000 people. This number represents approximately 15 percent of Sonoma County’s population, which is 2 percent higher than the state average. Since 2000, the number of people between ages 60 and 69 in California increased 76 percent; these trends may indicate that people looking toward retirement may be migrating into the area.
The primary missions of senior centers are to encourage participation in community life, promote well-being and independence and enhance dignity. Many of the centers charge fees ranging from $24 per year for individuals and $40 per year for couples. Centers offer classes, provide a monthly newsletter, field trips and hot lunches for members. Classes may vary but can include computer, history, cooking, art, dancing, balance, quilting, bingo and yoga. Many of the centers offer field trips (both day trips to nearby places of historical or cultural significance or longer, overnight stays to explore destinations farther afield) along with health and wellness fairs. Fees vary from center to center. The majority of centers also offer reasonable, healthy meals for participants and monthly newsletters.
Santa Rosa takes charge
After operating independently for nearly 20 years and leasing a building from the city of Santa Rosa, in 1996, the Santa Rosa Senior Center Association (a nonprofit group that had operated the Bennett Valley Senior Center since its inception in 1977) approached the city and formed a partnership that made the center part of the Santa Rosa Recreation, Parks and Community Services Department. All adults 50+ are welcome to the center to participate in activities designed for active adults. Besides classes and special events, there are drop-in activities scheduled throughout the week for all to enjoy.
Jan Post-Schwarz, activities coordinator, senior activities at the Bennett Valley Senior Center, loves her job because she can see and experience seniors getting involved in their community, having fun taking classes and socializing. Schwarz says one of the challenges of operating a senior center is to keep members interested in coming back and taking part in all the activities that are offered.
Most instructors work on a volunteer basis and, according to Schwarz, most days are busy with seniors enjoying what’s available. “The image of seniors sitting around and making wallets is a myth,” she says. “What’s really happening is seniors are active and determined to keep busy and involved.” Schwarz believes that the senior centers make a difference to those who participate. The center offers classes in hatha yoga, watercolor, needlecraft and computers. Classes can vary from month to month and there’s a small fee ranging from $2 to $30 for non-members taking the computer courses (that goes to support the center). The center presents a Health Fair each May, an annual Fourth of July picnic, Oktoberfest (every September) and holiday dances.
Richard Opbroek, age 76, has been coming to the center for the past four years. He had a lot of time on his hands since retiring in 2007 and decided to check the center out. He appreciates that there’s always coffee and donuts available, books he can purchase at a minimal cost along with many other seniors to interact with. “I enjoy playing pool and there’s always someone to play with here,” he says. He believes the best thing seniors can do is to accept themselves as they go through the aging process, and says being able to socialize with other seniors at the center helps him a great deal.
“It gives me a chance to interact with people in my age group in a nonjudgmental way,” reports Dorothy Friberg, who’s been coming to the center for five years. For Friberg, it helps boost her social life and she enjoys the classes. Her favorite class is watercolor, and she’s looking forward to participating in the memoir class, which will give her a chance to tell many of her stories.
Also available is the AARP Driver Safety Program for ages 50+. The Mature Driving Classes instruct seniors in safe driving techniques to compensate for the aging process. This course must be repeated every three years. Due to space considerations, classes are also offered at the Finley Center and the Bennett Valley Senior Center.
In collaboration with the Council on Aging and the Sonoma County Senior Centers, Schwarz is excited about the Sonoma Wine Country Senior Games, a sporting event for athletes 50+, which will take place May 31 to June 12, 2012 [See “Let the Games Begin,” June 2011]. This wellness and lifestyle program includes archery, basketball, bocce ball, cycling, golf, tennis, walking and running, swimming, table tennis, square dancing, soccer, pickle ball and softball.
Kelley Magnuson, deputy director, Recreation Division, Santa Rosa Recreation & Parks Department, has been involved with the department for 17 years. In the last two years, she’s been overseeing all of the recreation community centers, including the Bennett Valley Senior Center. The biggest challenges she’s facing are budget and space concerns. At present, classes at the Bennett Valley center are filled to capacity and, more than ever, it’s important for her to keep things balanced and make sure the fees are affordable, infrastructure is maintained and there’s room for growth.
To deal with space issues, Seniors, Inc. (SI) was formed in 2002 by a group of citizens concerned about the current senior center’s ability to accommodate Santa Rosa’s exploding senior population. In 2004, the nonprofit formed a partnership with the city of Santa Rosa to begin planning a new, 25,000-square-foot Senior Wing at the Finley Community Center. In 2011, SI was given a gift of $1.5 million from the Ernest L. and Ruth W. Finley Foundation; it additionally received a gift from local businessman and philanthropist Henry Trione, allowing the completion of Phase 2 (the first floor of the new space), which is scheduled to open in fall 2012. Over the past several years, SI has received donations from Friedman’s, Exchange Bank and hundreds of individuals from the community (who’ve sent in donations of all amounts). It’s also sold t-shirts to raise money and is currently selling commemorative bricks to be placed on the patio. SI recently applied for a grant from the Finley Foundation in hopes of completing Phase 3 soon.
Carolina Spence, executive director of Seniors Inc., has been involved with the project for the past four years. She believes the greatest challenge is educating the community that the new building will provide services to both the community, in general, and seniors, in particular. “Everyone is going to benefit, and youth groups and senior groups will have an opportunity to work together,” she says. Spence believes the success of the project is due to the public and private partnership coming together and working for a common good. When the first floor opens in fall 2012, Spence believes, “The Santa Rosa Senior Wing, located at the Finley Community Center, will be a showcase for Sonoma County and provide a model for all communities to support their elder society.”
Other Sonoma County centers
The mission of the Petaluma Senior Center in downtown Petaluma is to maintain an atmosphere that encourages independence for seniors; to provide opportunities and to enhance their physical, mental, creative and social abilities in an environment that promotes individual achievement, satisfaction and self-esteem. Don Streeper, senior recreation director, encourages seniors not to be shy and to drop in and try something new and, if you don’t like what you tried the first time, come back and try something different.
Meals are provided on a daily basis by Petaluma People Services Centers with a suggested donation of between $3 and $5. The Petaluma facility also has space issues and, along with operating at 211 Novak Dr., it also provides services at Kenilworth Recreation Center at the fairgrounds and Cavanaugh Recreation Center (426 8th St.), where Streeper boasts that it has the warmest pool in Sonoma County—with a temperature of 80 degrees.
Like all senior centers, the Rohnert Park Senior Center hosts events and classes year-round. The best kept secret in Rohnert Park may be The Sweet Pea Gift Shoppe, which is a cornucopia of handcrafted treasures by local Sonoma County crafters. Whether you’re looking for that unique gift for someone special or something for yourself, this is the place to shop. It has a little bit of everything for any age like beautiful baby items, jewelry, woodwork, ceramics, floral designs, quilts and Afghans. And it’s a nonprofit organization, benefiting Sonoma County seniors.
Located on Armstrong Woods Road in Guerneville since 1986, the Russian River Senior Resource Center is the only local resource for seniors living in West Sonoma County, where many seniors are physically isolated from services needed to help them stay in their homes. Highly visible and respected in the community, the center is often the first point of contact for a senior or family when looking for help. It provides life-sustaining and life-enriching services that assist seniors in living productive, independent and meaningful lives.
All about Napa
Napa County has senior centers in Napa, St. Helena, and American Canyon. The Napa Senior Activity Center sits in a grove of beautiful trees alongside Napa Creek. Like many other centers, it operates on two levels, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. is primarily for seniors and from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. for the entire community. According to Greg Coleman, recreation supervisor, “At one time seniors wanted centers that catered to only their age group. During the past decade, that’s changed, as seniors recognize the value of multigenerational interaction. An example in Napa is high school students teaching seniors how to use their cell phones and computers. Other examples are elementary school children doing their art projects with seniors and varsity football players serving seniors their Christmas dinners, which the seniors truly enjoy.”
Along with classes that include exercise programs, the center offers special events throughout the year such as a Christmas Lights Bus Tour during the holidays, the Hot Diggity Dog & Ice Cream Socials and many other recreational activities. There are also trips offered on a quarterly basis; they recently visited Filoli Estate in Woodside. According to Coleman, they boast one of the finest dance floors and bocce courts for seniors in Northern California.
American Canyon Senior Center (previously known as Napa Junction) houses a senior multi-use center. Along with classes, incorporated into their programs in 2012 is a program called, “Bridging the Gap,” led by students of American Canyon High School. Students will answer questions on technology and play games with members. This is also an opportunity for seniors who are interested in interacting with and gaining knowledge from teens.
Rianda House, located in the heart of St. Helena, was the dream of Gunilda “Jean” Rianda, who wanted her home to provide a gathering place for up-valley seniors. After an extensive remodel of her home, Rianda House Senior Activity Center opened its doors to the community on May 15, 2008. In addition to classes, on the fourth Wednesday of each month, it offers a “low tech” cooking demo of nutritious meals in a social and interactive setting, complete with a “brain workout” with playful, mind-stimulating games.
Only in Marin
Marin County has two senior centers, Whistlestop in San Rafael and the Margaret Todd Senior Center in Novato. Founded in 1954 by the Marin Senior Coordinating Council, Whistlestop promotes the independence, well-being and quality of life for older adults and people with disabilities in Marin County. Its Active Aging Center provides comprehensive, client-centered programs including nutritious meals, educational classes, multicultural gatherings and helpful information and referral services.
The Margaret Todd Senior Center serves all of Marin County. Margaret Todd was a senior advocate who dreamed of having a senior center in Novato; she unfortunately died in an auto accident in 1986. Shortly after her death, the Novato City Council voted to name the city’s future senior center in Todd’s honor. The doors first opened in December 1992, but the center was officially dedicated in March 1993. It provides programs, referral services, and activities for adults 50 and older. Activities include enrichment and fitness courses, special events, special interest groups, game groups, senior services, information and referral.
Director Jillian Horton has worked at the facility for nine years. She’s excited about the new Zumba class, which combines Latin and International music with a fun and effective workout system. “It’s popular because it’s a fun way of exercising,” she says. “Participants tend to forget they’re exercising because they’re having fun,” says Horton. Novato Independent Elders Program (NIEP) is a nonprofit organization that operates out of the center and provides services such as the Margaret Todd Café, blood pressure clinics, legal service, English as a Second Language (ESL), home delivered grocery program, HICAP, a yard work program, educational workshops and more. NIEP also works with Marin Community Food Bank to offer the Brown Bag program. Novato Senior Citizens Club is a nonprofit organization that also operates out of the center; it offers programs such as bingo, brunch, Friday flick movies, Novato Fountain of Ukes (a ukulele group), travel programs, special events and more.
Help wanted
At the senior center, there’s always a need for help and volunteers are always welcome. If you’re interested in teaching a class, leading a group, helping out with the front desk, driving vans or helping with their drop-in centers, all you have to do is contact one of the directors. With the population of adults ages 65 and older expected to rise by 50 percent in the next 20 years, the need for senior centers has never been greater.
Current research on older adults clearly demonstrates that the three building blocks of longevity—good physical, mental and social fitness—can lead to a longer, more fulfilling life and reduce medical costs. The comprehensive menu of activities and services available at the centers helps active adults achieve optimum health to make the most of every day. Life is a journey, and part of that journey is being a senior. In using your local senior center, the aging process will be filled with lots of activities and fun.
Senior Centers in Sonoma, Napa and Marin Counties
Sonoma County
Bennett Valley Senior Center
704 Bennett Valley Rd.
Santa Rosa CA 95404
(707) 545-8608
www.ci-santa-rosa.ca.us
Cloverdale Senior Multipurpose Center
311 N. Main St.
Cloverdale, CA 95425
(707) 894-4826
www.cloverdaleseniorcenter.com
Petaluma Senior Center (The Novak Center)
211 Novak Dr.
Petaluma, CA 94954
(707) 778-4399
www.cityofpetaluma.net
Petaluma Senior Center (Cavanaugh Recreation Center)
426 8th St.
Petaluma, CA 94952
(707) 778-4399
www.cityofpetaluma.net
Petaluma Senior Center (Kenilworth Recreation Center)
150 Fairgrounds Dr.
Petaluma CA 94952
(707) 778-4399
www.cityofpetaluma.net
Rohnert Park Senior Center
6800 Hunter Dr. #A
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
(707) 585-6780
www.rpcity.org
Sebastopol Area Senior Center
167 North High St.
Sebastopol, CA 95472
(707) 829-2440
www.sebastopolseniorcenter.org
West County Community Senior Resource Center
15010 Armstrong Woods Rd.
(707) 869-0618
www.westcountyservices.org
Windsor Senior Center
9231 Foxwood Dr.
P.O. Box 100
Windsor, CA 95492
(707) 838-1250
www.ci.windsor.ca.us
Marin County
Margaret Todd Senior Center
1560 Hill Rd.
Novato, CA 94947
(415) 893-7940
wwwcityofnovato.org
Marin City Senior Center
(Marguerita C. Johnson Senior Center)
640 Drake Ave.
Marin City, CA 94965
(415) 332-9323
www.marin.org
Whistlestop (also known as the Marin Senior Coordinating Council)
930 Tamalpais Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 456-9062
www.whistlestop.org
Napa County
Napa Senior Activity Center
1500 Jefferson St.
Napa, CA
(707) 255-1800
www.cityofnapa.org
Rianda House
1475 Main St.
St. Helena, CA 94574
(707) 963-8555
www.riandahouse.org
Senior Multi-Use Center (Club 55)
2185 Elliott Dr.
American Canyon, CA 94503
(707) 648-7275
www.cityofamericancanyon.org
Editor’s Note: If you know of a senior center that isn’t listed here, please contact us so we can include it on our website.
