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1701 22nd Street
Anacortes, Washington 98221
(360) 293-7473
Anacortes Senior Activity Center
NEWSLETTER
January 2015
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE...
Birthdays ........................... 18
Computers .......................... 9
Creative Expression ............ 9
Donations.......................... 16
Games and Recreation ..... 12
Health and Fitness ............ 7
Intergenerational ............... 5
Language & Discussion .... 11
News and Notices ............ 3
Happy New Year 2015!
We welcome you all to 2015 at the Center. There are lots of new happenings in
this coming year that we are sure you will want to take advantage of.
On Saturday, February 7, the popular A’Town Big Band will be doing a benefit
concert and dance at the Eagles Hall Ballroom located at 901 7th Street here in
Anacortes. This band is great to listen to and a treat to dance to, and features lots
of favorites from the 30s and 40s. All proceeds will go to the Center to support
programs and activities. The tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door. So
pull your dancing shoes out of the closet and get ready to have some 2015 fun!
Preparations are in the works for the 2015 March for Meals Bowling Bash,
coming up on Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15. If you are interested in
helping out, or in playing with or sponsoring a team, contact Sally at the Center.
Public Service Notices ...... 14
There is a new Strength and Balance class beginning at the Center, led by popular
Services ............................ 12
Zumba instructor
Jennifer Beemer of
Inspire!Fitness. Jennifer
will help you build and
maintain the strength
and skills you need to
help you keep up with
your favorite activities.
Jennifer’s classes are
always a lot of fun.
Call for more
information.
Special Events ................. 2
Support Groups ................ 17
Trash Talk ........................ 3
Trips ................................. 6
Volunteers......................... 13
Wanted ............................. 17
A’Town Big Band
Dance & Concert
Sat. - Feb. 7
7 to 9 p.m.
At the Eagles Hall Ballroom
901 7th Street, Anacortes
ANACORTES SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER
SPECIAL EVENTS
1701 22nd Street, Anacortes, WA 98221
Phone: 360-293-7473 Fax: 360-293-7834
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Website: www.skagitseniors.org
A’Town Big Band
Concert
and
Dance
Nonprofit Status
The Anacortes Senior Activity
Center Foundation holds 501(c)(3)
status. Donations to the Anacortes
Senior Activity Center are tax deductible
within the limits of the law.
The popular A’Town
Big Band will be
doing a special benefit
concert and dance for
the Center on Saturday, February 7, from 7 to 9 p.m.
This special show will be held at the Eagles Hall
Ballroom here in Anacortes, located at 901 7th Street.
This group is fun to listen to and a treat to dance to
and will feature lots of favorites from the 30s and 40s.
Tickets are $10 and are available only at the door the
night of the program. For more information, call the
Center at 293-7473.
Senior Activity Center Staff
Sally Hill, Coordinator
Lea DeVere, Assistant Coordinator
Carolyn McManus, Nutrition Site Manager
ASAC Foundation Board
Jim Eberhardt, President
Debbie Savoya Vice-President
Michele Pope, Secretary
Susan Chenoweth, Treasurer
Charlie Drake, Nancy Halton, Jane Hyde,
Carollei Lamoureux, Jim O’Neil, Erica Pickett,
Barbara Smart, Gael Varsi
Baker’s Pantry
Meal Service
Lunch: Monday–Friday , 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
$3.50-$5.50 suggested donation. No reservation necessary. Meals on Wheels: For homebound seniors. Hot
meals delivered Monday through Friday; frozen meals
available for the weekend. $3.50 suggested donation.
Volunteer Opportunities
Join the 150+ volunteers working at the
Center. Contact Sally Hill for more information.
Newsletter
The Anacortes Senior Activity Center Newsletter is
published monthly and is distributed free at the
Senior Activity Center and at a number of locations
in town, including the Chamber of Commerce,
Library, Senior Housing, and Island Hospital.
Contributors
Writers: Sally Hill, Lea DeVere
Editor/Layout/Production: Lea DeVere
Distribution: Kathryn & Lou D’Amelio, Leslie Krous,
Marji Odekirk, Elaine Oliphant, Lorraine Patmore,
George Strickert
Anacortes Senior Activity Center
The Center is creating a “Baker’s Pantry” to support
our bakers who make the monthly Bake Sale such a
success. Every month the bakers bring us homemade
pies, cookies, cakes and more for the enjoyment of all
who come to make purchases. The money made each
month is important support to the Center. Let’s
minimize the out-of- pocket expense to our bakers.
If you don’t bake, you can still support the monthly
Bake Sale by donating any of the following
supplies:
 Gluten free flour
 Regular flour
 Sugar
 Brown sugar
 Oatmeal
 Chocolate chips
 Crisco
 Brownie mix
 Ziploc
sandwich bags
 Powdered sugar
Page 2
JANUARY 2015
Bake Sale
TRASH TALK
The Bake Sale will be back
at the Center on Friday,
January 30, from 9 a.m. to
1 p.m. Come by and get
your fresh, delicious backed
goods. Homemade by our many faithful bakers, these
goodies bring much enjoyment as well as needed funds
to help support the Center’s programs.
Recycle Christmas Candles
NEW
Strength and Balance Classes
Mondays at 1:30 p.m. starting January 26.
See “Health and Fitness” for details.
Challenge Class
Returns on Wednesday, January 14 at 12 noon.
See “Intergenerational Activities” for details.
HOLIDAY THANK YOUS
NEWS AND NOTICES
Special Thanks to Holiday Helpers
We wish to extend our thanks to all who helped with
various holiday events. Thanks to:
 The students from Island View Elementary and all
of the volunteers who joined them in “decking the
halls” of the Center,
 All those who brought in gifts for the Giving Tree.
Because of you, over 50 seniors who receive Meals
on Wheels also had a wrapped Christmas present
delivered to their door,
 All those who brought in blankets for the
Salvation Army Blanket Drive,
 All of the volunteers who helped at the Santa
Breakfast, our
Holiday Sale and
our Christmas
Luncheon, and
 All who donated
raffle items for
our Holiday
Raffle and to all
who bought tickets
We couldn’t do it without you!
Anacortes Senior Activity Center
Collect candle stubs, melt them down, and fashion
new candles from the blended wax. With luck, you’ll
find a scented taper to add delicate perfume. Use low
heat when melting. Throw in candle stubs, fish out old
wicks or paper end pieces. To give the wax a vivid
color, add a few old crayons. Think red and green for
Christmas, pink or yellow for Easter, etc. A Den
Mother project used empty, clean, small milk cartons.
To make a wick, dip a string into heated wax; then tie
the unwaxed end to a pencil and center it inside the
carton. Add ice chunks. (Put ice cubes inside a towel
and pound them slightly with a hammer. Youngsters
love this part of the project.) Lastly, pour the colored
wax over the ice cubes. Drain out the water, tear off
the carton’s sides, and admire the lacy candle dazzle
when it burns.
Page 3
Hazardous
Weather
Information
Please note that the
Center may elect to
close in case of
hazardous winter
weather. For current and updated information on any
such closure, please listen to your local radio stations,
660 AM (KAPS), 1430 AM (KBRC), or 1340 AM
(KWLE). If you call the Center during regularly
scheduled hours when the weather is particularly
hazardous, and the answering machine picks up, you
may assume there has been a change in scheduled
hours or emergency closure.
Closure Dates
The Center will be closed on Thursday, January 1,
2015, for the New Year’s Day holiday. The Center will
also be closed on Monday, January 19, for Martin
Luther King’s Birthday and will reopen on Tuesday,
January 20 at 8 a.m.
JANUARY 2015
Load and Unload Only
Please Stay at Home When Not Well
We have a lovely covered area at
our front entry for folks or items
to be dropped off or picked up.
This is also where the Dial-A-Ride
Bus loads and unloads. Please do
not leave your car unattended at
the entry or for longer than
necessary. Your cooperation will
be appreciated.
Help us minimize the spread of illness at the Center.
If you are suffering from a communicable disease
such as a cold or flu, please do not come to the
Center. Doing so would put others at risk. We will
appreciate you staying at home to take care of yourself
while protecting others from the spread of disease.
Remember this season that the most effective
methods for preventing the spread of communicable
disease are frequent hand washing and staying home
when you are sick.
New Library Checkout/Return Procedure
Have you visited the Center’s library recently? The
revised checkout process makes it even more convenient
to enjoy books, DVDs and CDs from the ASAC library.
Stop by the Book Drop Box soon and check it out.
Closure Dates for 2015
For your convenience, here is a list of the closure dates
for the entire year.
 Thursday, Jan. 1— New Year’s Day
 Monday, Jan. 19 — Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday
 Monday, Feb. 16 — Presidents Day
 Monday, May 25 — Memorial Day
 Friday, July 3 — Independence Day (tentative)
 Monday, Sept. 7 — Labor Day
 Wednesday, Nov. 11 — Veteran’s Day
 Thursday, Nov. 26 — Thanksgiving
 Friday, Nov. 27 — Thanksgiving
 Friday, Dec. 25 — Christmas
Fire Drills
The Center holds fire drills four times a year. The next
one will be on Monday, January 5, at 10:30 a.m.
Everyone in the building at that time will be notified
just before the drill begins. Once the alarm sounds,
everyone must exit the
building immediately. The
drill will take less than 15
minutes from start to finish.
If you have any questions or
want more information, talk
to Sally.
Anacortes Senior Activity Center
Keeping Your Home
(and the Valuables Therein) Safe,
Part II
Here are several tips from the Crime Prevention
through Environmental Design program to keep your
home safe. This program
offers solutions for
deterring crime through
designs that provide natural
surveillance for your
property.

Trim smaller
landscaping to two feet
above grade and cut
your tree canopies six feet high to leave a fourfoot window that provides better surveillance of
your property.

Install adequate lighting. Studies have shown
that up to 90% of crime occurs after dark. Proper
illumination of your property can and probably
will deter criminal activity.
There is a theory in crime prevention deemed “The
Broken Window Theory.” This theory suggests that
if an area is unkempt, it may foster criminal activity.
By keeping your property well maintained you may
avoid these issues. Contact CS Officer Karl
Wolfswinkel at the Anacortes Police Department at
293-4684 to schedule a CPTED evaluation of your
property.
Page 4
JANUARY 2015
Hearing Loops in
Anacortes
Look for this symbol that
indicates that a hearing loop
is available. In Anacortes, you
will find them at our Center,
as well as in the City Council
chamber, in the meeting room at the Anacortes
Library and at the Anacortes Community Theater.
Hearing loop systems take sound straight from the
source and deliver it right into the listener’s hearing
aid without extraneous noise or blurring. It turns their
hearing aids into wireless earphones that broadcast
sound customized for their hearing loss. Hearing loops
can also be used by people without hearing aids
through the use of portable receivers. We have those
available at the Center as well. If you have any
questions or would like a demonstration of the loop
system at the Center, call Sally Hill.
Program Disclaimer
The Anacortes Senior Activity Center invites speakers
and organizations to present programs on a variety of
topics believed to be of interest and benefit to Center
participants. Such invitation does not constitute
endorsement or sponsorship of the presenter, product
or services represented. Those invited to offer
programs are advised not to see the presentation as an
opportunity for sale of a service or product.
Come “Like” Us on Facebook!
The Center’s Facebook page has taken a big boost in
activity. It’s newly fresh and fun, with lots of photos
and activity information. You are invited to “like” us
by visiting Anacortes Senior Activity Center on
Facebook. We hope you will check it out! Also, if you
are interested in learning how to use Facebook, please
leave your name and phone number at the Reception
Desk. You will be called when a class gets set up.
Honorary and Memorial Gifts
A gift to the Anacortes Senior Activity Center is the
perfect way to honor the memory of a friend or loved
one. Donations may be made in any amount and will
go to support the many wonderful programs and
activities at the Center. Once received, a personalized
note will be sent in your name to the honoree or
family member notifying them of your kind gesture.
All donations are tax-deductible and you will receive
a letter documenting your contribution. For more
information, contact Center Coordinator Sally Hill
at 293-7473.
INTERGENERATIONAL ACTIVITIES
History Films
This series of historical
documentaries by great
American filmmakers is
shown on the first and
fourth Wednesdays at
12:30 p.m. In January,
the films will be shown on
January 7 and January 28. We will be continuing Ken
Burn’s film The Civil War. This Emmy award-winning
documentary brings to life America’s most destructive
– and defining – conflict. Call Sheri Muntean CPA
PhD at 420-5867 for details.
Challenge Class Returns
Students from Island View Elementary’ s Challenge
class will be renewing monthly visits to the Center
beginning on January 14 at 12 noon. The dates for the
rest of the school year are tentative at this point. If you
would like to attend or if you have any questions,
please contact Sally Hill at 293-7473 or stop in to
see her.
TRIPS
Trips often fill up fast so be sure to register early.
Registration forms are available at all Skagit County
Senior Centers. Please pay with check or cash when
Anacortes Senior Activity Center
Page 5
JANUARY 2015
TRIPS
(CONTINUED)
you register to hold
your spot; credit/
debit cards are not
accepted at this time.
Payment is nonrefundable. Unless
otherwise noted,
travel will be in Recreation Without Borders vans.
The departure times listed are for the Anacortes
Center. The vans will also make a stop at the
Burlington Senior Center. Bring money for food and
purchases. Wear weather appropriate clothing and
comfortable sturdy, walking shoes. And of course
don't forget your camera!
Vancouver Aquarium and Stanley Park
Get face to fin on this fun adventure on Wednesday,
January 14. The Vancouver Aquarium, Canada’s
largest, is home to over 50,000 animals. Unique
opportunities abound to get up close and personal
with some of the world’s most elusive creatures. After
the aquarium visit, enjoy a lovely drive through
picturesque Stanley Park before making one last stop
in the quaint seaside town of White Rock. Bring
money for food and purchases at the Aquarium and
in White Rock or bring your own sack lunch and
beverage (NO fresh fruits or veggies are allowed across
the border). Please note: Proof of citizenship…valid
passport, DMV enhanced approved driver’s license or
NEXUS card…is required to cross the border. Leave
Anacortes at 8:30 a.m. and return at 5:30 p.m. The
cost is $79. Register by Friday, January 9.
wonderful horse-drawn sleigh ride just like the good
old days, with clean crisp air, the crunch of fresh snow
and sleigh bells. Then warm up with a cup of delicious
hot-spiced cider by an open fire before heading on
down the road to Leavenworth. You will have plenty
of time to enjoy a warm meal, a little shopping and
perhaps some wine tasting. Wear warm, layered,
weather-appropriate clothing including gloves and a
hat, and sturdy, waterproof walking shoes/boots.
Leave Anacortes at 8 a.m. and return at 6:30 p.m.
The cost is $89. Register by Tuesday, January 20.
Northwest Flower and Garden Show
This trip on Friday, February 13, is sure to be a sellout. The NW Flower and Garden Show has been
heralding the start of spring since 1989. Enthusiasts
from around the Northwest flock to this annual
celebration of color,
inspiration and
horticultural
education. Your
gardening desires
will blossom when
you gaze at the
spectacular show
gardens brimming with ideas. 300+ marketplace
exhibitors offer everything you need to replenish your
green thumb. Or attend one of the numerous free
horticulture seminars. No matter your style or needs,
you’ll find inspiration for outdoor living, edible
gardening, sustainability and more. You will be
dropped off right outside the front doors. Leave
Anacortes at 8:30 a.m. and return at 5:30 p.m. The
cost is $59. Register by Wednesday, February 4.
Winter Wonderland: Sleigh Ride
and Leavenworth
Pompeii: The Exhibition at the Pacific
On Friday, January 30,
head east for a great
day of fun in the snow!
The first stop will be at
Mountain Springs
Lodge near Plain.
Once there, enjoy a
On Wednesday, February 18, experience Pompeii
before and after the epic eruption 2,000 years ago. In
the year 79, Pompeii vanished beneath thick layers of
volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
This exhibit tells the tale of the city, hidden from view
and forgotten for centuries until its rediscovery over
250 years ago. Witness the final moments of those
Anacortes Senior Activity Center
Science Center
Page 6
JANUARY 2015
TRIPS
(CONTINUED)
Seated Wellness
entombed in ash – including
the largest collection of body
casts ever presented. In
addition, enjoy the amazing
IMAX movie Greece: Secrets of
the Past. There will be one
last stop in Everett for a
delicious gelato treat. Leave
Anacortes at 8 a.m. and return at 5 p.m. The cost is
$79. Register by Friday, February 6.
Instructor Rita Yribar will be away for the months of
January and February, but class will continue to meet
in her absence. Rita will be back in March. This gentle
fitness group meets on Tuesdays from 2 to 3:15 p.m.
and is designed to work with each person’s individual
range of movement and focuses on breath, stretch, and
stress reduction. The cost is $2 per class.
Strength and Balance Classes
And coming up in March and April …

Seattle Underground Tour and Smith Tower:
Wednesday, March 4
 The Bullitt Center and Seattle Public Library Tour:
Wednesday, March 25
 Best of BC Garden Tour: Wednesday, April 15
 Whistler Village Getaway: Tuesday through
Wednesday, April 28 - 29
Look for more details in the next newsletter.
HEALTH AND FITNESS
Wellness Day: How to Talk to Your Doctor
On Tuesday, January 27 at 10:30 a.m. Michelle
Richards from the NW Regional Council’s Aging &
Disability Resources will present “Talking With Your
Doctor: Taking an Active Role in Your Health Care.”
Health care isn’t what it used to be. Doctors don’t make
home visits. After often a long wait, you may get ten
minutes with your doctor. You get rushed out the door
and when you get home, you can’t remember
everything your doctor said. Today you need to be
your own health care
advocate. Michelle will talk
about how to prepare for
an appointment, and how
to share information and
make decisions with your
doctor so you can become
a partner in your health
care team.
Anacortes Senior Activity Center
Join personal trainer Jennifer Beemer of Inspire!Fitness
for this moderately-paced class suitable for every fitness
level on Mondays at 1:30 p.m. beginning January 26.
Build and maintain the strength and skills you need to
keep up with your favorite
activities. Using a number of
tools and movement drills,
Jennifer will help you improve
strength and balance in a
functional approach and have
a great time! The cost is $3
per class or $25 for a 10-class
punch card. For more
information, call Jennifer
at (360) 333-4048.
Kidney Support: The Road Back to Life
On Tuesday, January 20, at 1 p.m. the “The Road Back
to Life” will be holding a kidney support group
meeting to provide free mentoring to all persons
affected by kidney failure, be it the dialysis patient, the
transplant recipient or family and care givers. The
group will strive to demonstrate that renal failure is
not the end of the world. There is a whole new life
ahead for those affected. Also, it’s been found that
what works for kidney patients will often work for
patients with other illnesses as well. For more
information, go to theroadbacktolife.com.
Blood Pressure Checks
Elaine Oliphant does free blood pressure checks on
the last Tuesday of every month from 9:30 a.m. to
Page 7
JANUARY 2015
10:30 a.m.
Zumba Gold
Classes
On-going Zumba
classes are held
on Fridays from
1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
(including January 2). Zumba is a dance fitness
program created by Colombian dancer and
choreographer Alberto “Beto” Perez during the 1990s.
It involves dance and aerobic elements and its
choreography incorporates samba, salsa, merengue,
mambo and martial arts. Zumba Gold is designed
especially for seniors or others with limitations. The
class is led by Jennifer Beemer of Inspire!Fitness who
also leads Zumba gold classes in La Conner and at the
Burlington Senior Center. For folks 60 and older, the
drop-in fee is $3 ($5 for those under 60). You can also
purchase a 10-class punch card for $25. Good for all
drop in classes offered by Inspire!Fitness, which now
includes four different locations. Pay the instructor at
the class.
T’ai Chi Chih: Joy through Movement
Are you ready to feel stronger, happier and healthier?
Learn a simple moving meditation that boosts and
balances your energy’s life force. Enjoy knowing that
each time you practice you are rewarded. Classes are
held on Thursdays, from 9:30 to 11
a.m. The next four-week session
will be held January 8 through
January 29. The cost for this four
-week series is $60. For more
information, contact
Joan Roulac, at (360)
376-6336 or email her at
[email protected].
Reiki Healing Therapy
Reiki practitioners Heather Hovis and Lea DeVere
are available on Wednesday afternoon between 1:15 to
3 p.m. for Reiki therapy sessions. (Note: Because Rita
Anacortes Senior Activity Center
Yribar will be gone in January and February, so
appointment times are temporarily limited.) Reiki is
complementary to traditional medicine and supports
peace of mind and body. It nurtures on physical,
emotional and mental levels and makes natural
healing easily accessible. You might find, for
example, that having a practitioner place hands on
your head may help ease your pain when you have a
headache. For more information on Reiki, go to
www.Reiki_Connection.com. Sign up for a15-minute
appointment at the Reception Desk or call 293-7473.
Donations of $5 are suggested.
Low Cost Dental Hygiene Care
The Center offers a dental hygiene program normally
held on the last Tuesday of each month. However,
because the clinician will
be gone for the months of
January and February,
appointments will resume
in March. Ask for an
application packet at the
Reception Desk and
register. You will be called
to set up an appointment.
You do not have to be
“low-income” to use this service. This program targets
seniors who do not have dental insurance, but even
those with insurance are welcome. Those with
insurance will need to process their own claims.
Gentle Yoga
Instructor Kate Bowers’ gentle approach to yoga uses
modifications that are personalized to your needs. It is
great for beginners or those with limitations. Classes
will meet on Thursdays from 1 to 2:30 p.m. (NOTE:
There will be no class on January 8.) The next series
will begin on January 15 and run through April 2. The
cost for each twelve-week series is $96. Late starters are
welcome and the fee will be prorated. Drop-ins are
also welcome ($10 per session). Kate’s schedule is
subject to change. Please call her at 766-4282 or
email her at [email protected] to confirm dates.
Page 8
JANUARY 2015
Senior Hike:
Double
Watershed Tour
Join Naturalist Denise
Crowe for a gentle hike
in good company with a
casual exploration of
local natural history knowledge. On Friday, January 9,
Denise will lead a hike in the Double Watershed. Start
the New Year off right with a hike in the woods with
friends! This is a gentle, one-and-a-half-mile route
through varied forest and wetland habitats. Learn
about the beaver that maintain these wetlands, and the
winter waterfowl that you will be sure to see. Meet at
10 a.m. at the end of 32nd St. off of D Ave.
Living Healthy with Chronic Conditions
Support Group
This support group is designed for those living with
chronic conditions such as pain, diabetes, Parkinson’s
and other challenges. The group normally meets on
the first and third Monday of each month from 12:30
to 1:30 p.m. This month’s meeting will be on January
5. (NOTE: There will be no meeting on January 19
because of the Center’s holiday closure.) Contact Sheri
Muntean, PhD, at 420-5867 with questions. This
group is designed to allow people to support one
another as they share their healthy living goals and
strategies. It also serves as a way for those who took the
Living a Healthy Life class to continue their goalsetting and progress.
COMPUTERS
Computer Assistance
Skilled volunteers are
available on a scheduled basis
in the Media Room to
answer your computer
questions. Appointments
may be made for
Wednesdays and Thursdays;
drop-ins are welcome on
Anacortes Senior Activity Center
Page 9
those days, but those with appointments will have
priority. No appointment is necessary for the “dropin” clinic on Mondays and Tuesdays. Check the
calendar for the schedule. We want to thank our
dedicated volunteers Ken de Russy, Doug Johnson,
Steve Anderson and Jan Essley for all their time and
skillful computer assistance. Jan helps with both PC
and Mac; Doug and Ken focus on PC. All can help
with tablets and phones. This service is free. Please
note that our computer volunteers may occasionally
have other commitments so call the Center at
293-7473 before you come in.
Skype Computer Available
Skype is set up on a
laptop in the small
consultation room. If
you are familiar with
Skype and would like
to use it, feel free to do
so. If you would like to
learn to use it, see one of the volunteers at the DropIn Computer Clinic for assistance. Help will be
provided on a first-come, first-served basis. The Skype
computer room is also used by other people, so if it is
occupied, be sure and try again at another time.
CREATIVE EXPRESSION
Watercolor Open Studio
During January and February, Dee Doyle will be
teaching/coaching students in a series of classes
devoted to “Developing Your Own Series” on Friday
mornings, 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon. (NOTE: There will
be no studio on January 2.) Typically, artists tend to
grow and evolve by focusing on a particular subject,
feeling, palette, or style, as they develop their own
series. Each week, students will approach their subject
(s) in a fresh and different way, sometimes in a very
traditional way, and others, in a not-so-traditional way.
Classes cost $15 each. Drop-ins are welcome. Some
experience is preferred, but not necessary. Contact
Dee Doyle for further information on classes and
supplies at [email protected] or call 630-0208.
JANUARY 2015
Acrylics
Open
Studio
Mosaic Art Class
During
January and
February,
Dee Doyle
will be
teaching/coaching students in a series of classes
devoted to “Developing Your Own Series” on Monday
mornings, 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon. (NOTE: There will be
no class on January 19 due to the Center’s holiday
closure). Typically, artists tend to grow and evolve by
focusing on a particular subject, feeling, palette, or
style, as they develop their own series. Each week,
students will approach their subject[s] in a fresh and
different way, sometimes in a very traditional way, and
others, in a not-so-traditional way. Classes cost $15
each. Drop-ins are welcome. All levels welcome.
Contact Dee Doyle for further information and/or
supply list. Contact Dee Doyle for further information
on classes and supplies at [email protected] or
call 630-0208.
Basket Weaving
Jane Hyde usually teaches basket making on the fourth
Thursday of every month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This
month the class will be Thursday, January 22. Call Jane
at (360) 661-7477 for more information. Class size is
limited; call Jane to sign up in advance and for more
information on the basket she will be teaching.
Piano Lessons
A beginning group meets on Wednesdays from
3:10 to 3:55 p.m. The
class will cover music
reading, finger
strengthening and
familiar tunes. Come
join the fun! The cost
is $15 for each class.
Call Sally Kirk at
856-4938 to sign up.
Anacortes Senior Activity Center
Page 10
There will be a new mosaic art class on Wednesdays,
January 7, January 21, February 4 and February 18,
from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Learn this very old art form
and make beautiful mosaic art for your home or yard.
If you do not wear glasses, please bring protective
goggles for your safety. All levels are welcome. The cost
is $50 for the four-week class. Register and pay in
advance at the Reception Desk. Call instructor JoAnne
Hoehne at 360-399-1180 for more information.
Mosaic Art Workshop
An on-going mosaic art workshop is held at the Center
on Wednesday mornings from 9:30 to 12 noon, except
for the second Wednesday of each month. There will
be no instruction given,
but all participants are
welcome to work on
their projects, trade
glass and share ideas
with other workshop
participants. All
previous mosaic
students are welcome
to come. There is no
charge.
Artists Northwest
Artists Northwest meets at the Center on the third
Thursday of each month from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The
next meeting will be on Thursday, January 15. This
organization is dedicated to fostering fellowship and
education among artists of all levels using various
mediums. Members come together to share
experiences and knowledge in artistic endeavors.
They promote and share new ideas and techniques
to grow and stimulate creativity. This group of artists
occasionally paints as a group, either inside or
outside. Call Sharon at 588-1848 or Jerlyn at
299-1210 for more information.
JANUARY 2015
Ukulele
Enthusiasts
Welcome
Creative Circle
Do you play or have you
always wanted to? Do
you enjoy singing with
others? The Senior
Ukulele Ensemble, led
by ukulele enthusiast Richard Mitlyng, meets at the
Center on Thursdays from 1:30 to 3 p.m. If you are
just beginning to play the ukulele, there is a Beginners
Class at 3 p.m. taught by Linda Zielinski. Bring your
own ukulele. There is no charge, and all levels are
welcome to join in the fun. In fact, come even if you
don’t play; it is fun to just listen in or sing along.
Miracle of Art
This informal art appreciation class, conducted by Lou
D’Amelio, is held on Tuesdays from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
The class started in 1989 by Dr. Susanne Baker, whose
art work is seen each month in the Center’s newsletter.
The first part of the class consists of a discussion on a
selected art-related topic which changes weekly. There
is also a show-and-tell during which participants
may raise any art-related topic for discussion. The
discussions are followed by showing DVDs on art by
professors of art history. Currently the class is
following lectures on Masterworks of American Art by
Professor William Kloss. All are welcome to attend.
LANGUAGE AND DISCUSSION
A Fiction Writer’s Seminar
Vince Henley will be leading this seminar on Fridays,
January 9 through March 27, from 9 to 11 a.m. This
seminar is for sufficiently advanced writers who either
have started a long writing project, or wish to begin one.
It is an opportunity for writers to get both in-session
critique by their peers and off-line
critique by the seminar leader. This
seminar focuses on the art and craft of
creating long fictional works such as a
short story, novella or novel. Each
participant will complete a work of
fiction longer than 10,000 words during
the seminar. Class fee is a donation of $36 to the
Anacortes Senior Activity Center. Class is limited
to twelve participants. Sign up and pay at the
Reception Desk. Contact Vince Henley at
[email protected] for additional information.
Fidalgo Book Group
The group normally meets on the first Thursday of each
month at 9:30 a.m. In January, the group will discuss
Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey. (NOTE: The
January meeting will be on Friday, January 2 at 9:30.)
This novel, set in 1871 and written in 1912, is a classic
of the western genre. The main character is a western
gunslinger who shows up in a town in Utah to save a
young woman rancher from marrying a church elder. In
February, the group will read The Seeds of Destruction by
F. William Engdahl. The book focuses on the sociopolitical American elite to gain control of human
survival “our daily bread” and the perils of GMO.
Everyone is welcome to join this friendly and interesting
group of readers.
Cultured Palette
The Cultured Palette is a group of eclectic local artists
who live in or near Anacortes and gather to paint
together on Friday afternoons at
12:30 p.m. There will be no
formal instruction, but there will
occasionally be instruction in the
form of DVD or workshop. The
group varies in skill level, chosen
media (water-based or pastel),
subject matter, and artistic style.
All skill levels are invited to come
and paint. Call Beryle at 293-8538, Joyce at 293-6241
or Betty at 293-4450 for information.
Anacortes Senior Activity Center
Join with other creative folks at the Creative Circle every
Monday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Some of the projects
people work on include beading, felting, jewelry making,
polymer clay, egg art and more. Join us for three hours,
meet new people and get your projects done. There is
no cost. Just bring your projects and join in.
Page 11
JANUARY 2015
Creative Writing
Work within a community
of writers to move your
writing to a new place in
Susan Lavell Warm's
Creative Writing Class held
on Tuesdays, January 6 to March 17, from 9 to 11
a.m. In this session, the focus will be on “Words and
Images” and how the two work together. All writers
are welcome to attend, and class assignments will
explore how to break down ideas and inspiration into
workable parts by using many writing approaches. An
atmosphere of friendly affirmation allows you to share
ideas and build self-confidence. The class is open to all
ages, and costs $90. Registration forms are available at
the Reception Desk or at any Skagit Valley College
campus. Partial scholarships are available — please
contact Susan at 630-3182 to learn more.
GAMES AND RECREATION
Flyswatter Volleyball
Come and join in the fun. Flyswatter volleyball games
are held regularly on the first and third Wednesday
from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. There are sure to be lots of
laughs and memorable moments! If you would like to
arrange for play at another date and time, see Sally for
scheduling.
Game Time!




Spanish Class
Terry Kelly will teach a 6-session class of beginning/
intermediate Spanish starting Monday, January 12 and
running through Monday, January 26. Classes will
meet for two hours on Mondays, Wednesdays and
Fridays. Some classes will meet in the morning and
some in the afternoon. Call the Center at 293-7473
for a complete schedule. The cost for the intensive is
$40. Sign up at the Reception Desk.





Bridge: Mondays at
12:30 p.m.
Chess: Tuesdays at
12:30 p.m.
Cribbage: Thursdays
at 8:30 a.m.
Double Deck
Pinochle:
Wednesdays at
12:30 p.m.
Mah Jongg:
Thursdays at
11 a.m.
Mexican Train: Wednesdays at 1 p.m.
Partner Bridge: Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m.
Pinochle: Fridays at 12:30 p.m.
Scrabble: Mondays at 12:30 p.m.
Sign Language Classes
SERVICES
You can help break the communication barrier
between the hearing and deaf communities. Visual
Connections is currently teaching American Sign
Language on Tuesdays and Fridays. The beginning
class will be from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and the
intermediate class will meet from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Beginners learn vocabulary, the alphabet and numbers
to 20, common phrases, how to ask questions, and
storytelling. Intermediate students will focus on
increasing speed on the alphabet, finger spelling, and
numbers and sentences. The classes are free and all
ages are welcome. If you have questions, email
Dawnstarr Pilcher or Pandora Aspelund at
[email protected] for more information.
Haircuts with Marianne Meyer
Anacortes Senior Activity Center
Marianne, who owned La Conner’s Mane Event for
25 years, comes to the Center once a month on the
last Monday morning of every
month from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30
p.m. This month Marianne will
be at the Center on January 26.
The cost is $10 and you must
schedule an appointment in
advance. Call 293-7473 or make
your appointment in person at
the Reception Desk.
Page 12
JANUARY 2015
Chair Massage
Ensure Available at the Center
Relax and ease those aches and
pains each Tuesday from 9 to
12 p.m. Carol Park offers a 15minute chair massage. The cost
for seniors age 60 and older is
$10/15 minutes; all others
$15/15 minutes. To make an
appointment, call the Senior
Activity Center at 293-7473. This service is sponsored
by Fidalgo Pool and Fitness Center.
The Skagit County Senior Nutrition Program offers
liquid meal supplements (Ensure Plus) to seniors on a
suggested donation basis of $30. To qualify, you need:
 To be 60 years of age or older
 To live in Skagit County
 To have a prescription from your physician or
registered dietician (a new prescription will be
needed every 6 months)
There are a variety of flavors available. Contact
Carolyn in the kitchen at the Center if you have
any questions or to arrange pick up of your cases
of Ensure.
ADR: Aging and Disability Resources
Aging and Disability Resources (ADR) helps people
who are age 60 and older, people with disabilities, and
family members access a wide variety of community
resources, information, services and programs since
1978. ADR provides confidential services, free of
charge and can help guide you in finding the
information and programs that meet your individual
needs. ADR specialists work with you over the phone
or are available to meet with you by appointment
between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday in
the ADR office, or if necessary, in your home. Please
call 428-1301 or e-mail [email protected].
Anacortes Senior Activity Center Lunch
We serve a delicious, well-balanced meal each weekday
from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The menu is available
online at www.skagitseniors.org or in the Center’s
monthly newsletter. In addition to the listed menu
items, soup and salad are served most days. The
suggested donation for seniors 60+ is $3.50 to $5.50
per meal; cost for non-seniors is $6.00 per meal.
Reservations are not
required. For more
information, call the
Senior Activity Center
at 293-7473. The same
menu is also delivered
to homebound seniors.
Contact Meals on
Wheels at 419-3420
for more information.
Anacortes Senior Activity Center
Take Care of Your Feet
Foot care will be available
most Mondays. Call the
Center at 293-7473 to make
an appointment. The gentle
and experienced staff of
Catholic Community Services
provides the foot care. The
cost is $20. Please remember
to bring a small towel. Hand
care is available also for $6.
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteer Services
Needs Your Help
The Volunteer Services Program provides assistance
to seniors and disabled adults so they may remain
living independently in their own homes. Volunteers
assist with housekeeping, meal preparation, shopping
and errands, yard work, minor household repairs,
moving assistance and more. Currently there is a
special need for volunteers to provide transportation.
Drivers receive mileage reimbursement and secondary
insurance. If you are interested in helping, please
contact the program staff at 416-7585.
Page 13
JANUARY 2015
Independence
with Island
Hospital Lifeline
Anacortes Senior College
Island Hospital Lifeline
offers safer independence.
In an emergency, time is
of the essence. Philips Lifeline can help, by connecting
those who want to live independently to the right help
for the situation, 24 hours every day, at the push of a
button. Whether you need emergency services or just
the assistance of a family member or friend, we can
help. Philips Lifeline at Island Hospital provides local
oversight, local number to call for help and exceptional
customer service by a hospital employee and
volunteers. Contact the IH Lifeline program at
293-7563 or email [email protected].
Advocates Make a Difference
Volunteer advocates bridge the gap between our
community and the residents of long-term care
facilities like nursing homes, who may be isolated from
the mainstream of society. Long-Term Care Ombuds
serve as advocates, observers, educators, planners,
mediators, listeners, troubleshooters, facilitators and
peacemakers. Get the satisfaction of helping to assure
the best quality of life for the elderly. For training and
information call Sandi Everest, Northwest Regional
Long-Term Care Ombudsman, at (360) 421-1080.
Many elderly individuals in our home of Anacortes
need someone to listen when they speak, and speak
for them when they can't.
PUBLIC SERVICE NOTICES
Coffee with Laurie
Mayor Laurie Gere is
scheduled to be at the Center
on Wednesday, January 28,
at 1:30 p.m. for an informal
coffee hour with citizens.
Everyone is invited.
Anacortes Senior Activity Center
Eight afternoon classes will be offered for the winter
term by Anacortes Senior College. Classes will begin
on Tuesday, January 13, and will continue through
Thursday, February 19. All classes are from 3:30 to
5:30 p.m. and will meet at Anacortes Middle School.
Tuesday afternoon courses:
 Marine Biology, The Salish Sea, 6 weeks,
Mira Lutz
 Understanding Religions, 6 weeks, Jim Barrett
 Memoir Writing, 6 weeks, Teru Lundsten
 Dog Behavior, 3 weeks, Debbie Exley
Thursday afternoon courses:
 Automobile Evolution, 6 weeks, Bob Cromack
 Teddy Roosevelt, 3 weeks, David Rader
 Alaskan Fisheries, 3 weeks, Mark Lundsten
 Basic Norwegian, 3 weeks, Susan Easthouse
Free Medical Eye Exams
EyeCare America, a public
service program of the
Foundation of the American
Academy of Ophthalmology
matches seniors in need with
volunteer ophthalmologists who
provide a medical eye exam and
up to one year of care at no out-of-pocket cost to the
patient. To find out if you or your loved ones qualify
for this program, visit eyecareamerica.org. (The online
application does not request financial information.)
Free Income Tax Preparation
The Anacortes Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
(VITA) program will once again be offering free
federal income tax preparation for low and middle
income households in the community. Assistants will
prepare and eFile your return, and they can answer
your questions about taxes. About six hundred returns
were prepared last year. The service will be available
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Anacortes First Baptist
Church at 2717 J Avenue, beginning on February 2
and continuing through April 15.
Page 14
JANUARY 2015
Hearing Aid Loans
This service is for all
seniors and people with
disabilities who live in
Washington State.
Assistive Technology
Loans, provided by the
Washington Assistive
Technology Foundation, provides loans ranging from
$250 to $10,000 at very low interest rates. Loans can be
used for hearing aids, TTY machines, pocket talkers,
computers with specialized software and hardware
adaptations, flashing smoke alarms and doorbells and
vibrating alarms. There are no upper or lower income
limits for these loans. Applicants need to show that
they can repay the loan. For more information, contact
WATF at (206) 328-5116, TTY 888-808-8942 or visit
their website at www.watf.org.
One-on-One Medical Insurance Help
SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors)
are available at Island Hospital Resource Center to
provide one-on-one health insurance information,
including Medicare and Extra Help. Call 299-4212
to schedule an appointment.
All in the Same Boat:
Anacortes in the Great Depression
Too grim for an exhibit, you say? Actually, the topic of
the newest Anacortes Museum exhibit is surprisingly
uplifting. In Anacortes, no one had any money, but
everyone was in the same boat, so people looked out
for each other. They bartered and traded, gave what
they could, organized fundraisers, and founded
workers’ co-ops. New Deal programs put men to work
building streets and parks — such as Deception Pass
State Park —
and creating
works of art
that we still
enjoy today.
There were
festivals and
Anacortes Senior Activity Center
parades, dances and football games, movies — with
sound! — clubs and gatherings. The exhibit can be
seen Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and
Sunday 1 to 4 p.m. at the Anacortes Museum, located
at 1305 8th Street.
Friends of Skagit Beaches:
Rewilding the Arctic
On Friday, January 9, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friends of
Skagit Beaches will present “Rewilding the Arctic.”
Twenty thousand years ago mammoths roamed a
tundra ecosystem that stretched from France to China.
Could that ecosystem be
restored? Could it help us
fight climate change? Dr.
Andy Bunn, Ph.D, Dept. of
Environmental Sciences,
Western Washington
University, has spent more
than a decade researching
the rapid changes in the
Arctic and the complex
relationship between
climate and vegetation. The presentation will be
at Northwest Educational Service Dist. Building,
1601 R Avenue. The lecture is free. For more
information contact Friends of Skagit Beaches
at http://skagitbeaches.org.
Soroptimists Loan
Health Equipment
Soroptimists International of Anacortes helps
many in the community who require medical
equipment such as wheelchairs, crutches and walkers.
To be eligible, you must be a resident living in the
98221 zip code of Anacortes and Fidalgo Island. The
club cannot loan equipment to residents of nursing
homes or care facilities. The equipment is available
from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays at the
Soroptimists Thrift Shop on Third Street and
O Avenue.
Page 15
JANUARY 2015
DONATIONS
Donations Help the Center -- Thank You!
All donations made
to the Anacortes
Senior Activity
Center are much
needed and greatly
appreciated. Unless
given for a specific
use, donations are
deposited into the
Anacortes Senior Activity Center Foundation General
Fund. The ASAC Foundation is a 501(c) (3) non-profit
organization and all donations are tax deductible. Your
support assists us in maintaining the Center as a
vibrant, wellness supportive, fun and inspirational
community center. With help from donations, the
Foundation provides for many things, including:
 Office Supplies
 Postage
 Copy machine
 Staff support
 Kitchen supplies
 Coffee and tea
 Internet access
 Newsletter publication
 Furnishings
 Equipment
 Fundraising expenses
 Special projects
 Building and landscaping improvements
 and more!

Artists Northwest
Sheri Muntean – tea supplies
 Carolyn McManus – Christmas tree
 Creative Circle
 Debbie Savoya – Halloween prizes, holiday raffle
baskets

Thank you to the following individuals who have given
thus far to our annual year end campaign:
 Jerry and Sy Ramsey
 AJ Pickering
 Joyce Young
 Gladys Bailey
 Richard Millison
 Karin Kenney
 Barbara McLendon
 RIS Insurance
 Marian Rollin
 Opal Johnstone
 Stirling Consulting
 Michele and John Pope
 Jean Lee
 Dick and Nita Ottoson
 Carole Buffum and Ken Davis
 John and Ann Giboney
 Lin Folsom
 Carol Brown
 William and Patricia Kalin
The following are donations received by the ASAC
Foundation recently from groups and individuals.
Thank you for your generous support.
 Paula Kenworthy
 Sylvia Trager in memory of Carmelita McCrary
 Judith Bown
 Ukulele Ensemble
 Ruth Vitovec
 Ukulele Ensemble
 Laura and Raffi Manion
Anacortes Senior Activity Center
Page 16
JANUARY 2015
WANTED
Yarn Needed
Your local “knittin’
lady” is in need of
yarn. Over the past
years she has knitted
hundreds of hats,
scarves, baby blankets
and lap robes for the
Wounded Warriors
at Fort Lewis, infants and adults in need at Omak
Valley Hospital, returning Vets right here in Skagit
County, Homeless Shelters, Friendship House,
Salvation Army, along with the Island Hospital and
our own Anacortes Senior Activity Center. Please
bring your unwanted yarn to the Reception Desk and
Carolyn will stockpile it to be picked up.
Greeting Cards Wanted
We will happily accept your surplus greeting cards
to offer for sale in our gift shop. Birthday cards are
especially needed. Thank you for helping support
the Senior Activity Center.
SUPPORT GROUPS
Skagit Widowed Support Services

For Grief Groups: Contact Terr Heuterman at
336-3037.
 For Social Events including weekly lunches:
Contact Verna Pederson at 856-0860 or see SWSS
monthly newsletter at www.skagitwss.org.
Loss of a Child Support Group
First Thursday, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Location: Hospice of
the Northwest, 819 S. 13th Street, Mount Vernon.
Contact: Skagit Hospice at 848-5589 to register. Preregistration required. This is an ongoing group for
parents who have experienced the death of a child,
whether as an adult or youngster.
Kidney Support
Group
Meets quarterly, Third
Tuesday, 1 p.m. Location:
Anacortes Senior Activity
Center. Next meeting:
Tuesday, January 20.
Contact www.theroadbacktolife.com.
Look Good -- Feel Better
Caregivers of
Persons with Alzheimer’s
Third Monday, 1 p.m. Location: Merle Cancer Care
Center at Island Hospital. Contact: Cancer Care
Center 299-4200. Registration is required.
Second and Third Monday, 1 p.m. Location:
Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1300 Ninth Street.
Contact: Ann Giboney at 299-9569.
Parkinson’s Support Group
Willis-Ekbom
Disease (Restless
Leg) Support Group
Prostate Cancer Support Group
Call for meeting dates.
Location: Island Hospital /
Burrows Rooms. Contact:
Charlotte at 293-7328.
Anacortes Senior Activity Center
Third Thursday, 1:30 p.m. Location: Island Hospital /
Burrows Rooms. Contact: Jerry Ramsey at 293-2185.
Third Wednesday, 11 a.m. Location: Island Hospital /
Fidalgo Room. Contact: Carl Clinesmith at 299-3892.
Art Healing for Cancer Patients
First and third Wednesdays, 1 p.m. Location: Merle
Cancer Care Center at Island Hospital. Contact:
299-4200. Registration is required.
Page 17
JANUARY 2015
SUPPORT GROUPS
(CONTINUED)
Grief Support Group
Every Wednesday, 3:30 p.m. Location: Island
Hospital / Guemes Room. Contact: Doug Fakkema
at 202-1699.





January 19
January 21
January 23
January 25
January 30
Katie Jensen
Ole Sundberg
Victor Childs
Jo Fuqua, Pauline Hardy
Stan Jewell
BIRTHDAYS
Happy Birthday!
We want to wish
“Happy Birthday”
to all of you who
celebrate birthdays
this month. Here are
some folks who are on
our birthday list. If
you would like to get
your name on our
birthday list, contact
the Center. We wish
a very Happy
Birthday to:









January 1
January 3
January 4
January 5
January 6
January 8
January 10
January 13
January 15
Phyllis Patrovsky
Al Littlefield
Fran Stritzel
Irene Downs
Betty McSpadden
Janet Almand
Jo Tallman
Bill Taylor
Verna McDowell, Genie Parrott
Anacortes Senior Activity Center
Page 18
JANUARY 2015