September 9, 2026

Find your next great read at the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library (JMRL) Bookmobile, which will now visit The Center on Wednesdays. If you do not have a library card, you can get one at the Bookmobile. The Bookmobile carries up to 2000 books including popular fiction, mysteries, biographies, cookbooks, history, and numerous large print editions. Free and open to all.

Conflict is inevitable but handling it with grace is a skill you can build. With clinical psychologist Dr. Dan Elash, explore the different types of conflict we encounter in daily life and identify practical tactics for navigating them in ways that strengthen rather than damage relationships. Free and open to all. Register here.

Tanya Prachar, Nurse Practitioner with UVA's Department of Neurology, presents on the differences between normal age-related cognitive changes, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), and dementia (which includes Alzheimer's Disease). Learn how to recognize the signs that warrant medical evaluation, maintain your cognitive health, and support loved ones experiencing memory changes. Free and open to all. Register here.

Start building better balance with Tai Chi, a widely recommended remedy for the balance challenges tremors can bring. Free and open to all.

From September 14 to 24, we will be installing acoustic panels in the Auditorium. We're very excited for the improvements this will bring, making the space more functional for people with hearing aids, but it does require us to shuffle some programs around temporarily. During these weeks, your program may take place in a different location than usual, even if it does not normally take place in the Auditorium. When you arrive, please check the kiosk or ask at the Welcome Desk for your program's location that day.

Pull up a chair and practice your shuffling skills. At this new weekly gathering, you can enjoy any card game you like, from rummy to spades, bridge, and beyond. Included in Center membership. Register here.

Meet other members of the 50-and-up LGBTQ+ community over lunch at Firefly. Open to all; you need only pay for your own meal. RSVP here.

Bring pages and get real, constructive feedback from fellow writers working on novels, novellas, or short stories. Included in Center membership. Register here.

Have you ever been frustrated or confused by technology and are tired of asking your kids for help? Come see Sunay Gupta for all your technology needs. Make an appointment for one-on-one help for anything troubling you. Free and open to all. Register here for presentation; Register here for individual tech help.

What makes The Center the go-to place for healthy aging? Support from generous friends like you! Show your commitment to healthy aging by making a gift today. If you give before October 31, your donation will be matched dollar for dollar—up to $60,000—during our Fall Match Challenge. You can also contribute at The Center's Welcome Desk or by mail. Thank you!

All Center members and program leaders are welcome to attend and participate at Council meetings on the first Monday of each month. Lasting approximately one hour, meetings are a great time to become better informed about The Center, to engage in friendly discussion, to hear and be heard. Included in Center membership.

Meet old friends and new over a friendly gathering at IHOP. Included in Center membership; you need only pay for your own meal.

Cajun dance is most often a two-step or waltz, while Zydeco is a syncopated version of two-step that is typically done in place. The music for both styles is infectious! Come to listen, dance, learn, socialize, exercise and—most of all—have fun. Included in Center membership. Register here.

We love dogs. However, as of September 15, to address health and liability concerns, only ADA service animals will be permitted inside The Center at Belvedere building. All dogs will still be welcome to enjoy our outdoor spaces, including the patio, walking paths, and lawns, provided owners comply with Albemarle County animal ordinances. We understand that this is disappointing to many of our pet-owning friends, but ensuring a safe, comfortable, fully accessible indoor environment for all our members and visitors must be our priority. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Discover Botswana through the eyes of long-time traveler JJ Towler, whose heart belongs to 

this small country north of South Africa. She’ll 

share stories of the Okavango Delta, its wildlife, and the local families who have welcomed 

her as one of their own. Free and open to all. Register here.

Before cameras existed, explorers and scientists captured their travels through quick 

sketches in illustrated journals. Learn to keep 

one yourself: part diary, part visual record, 

filled with drawings supplemented by notes, 

annotations, and lettering. Cover a range of 

mediums and techniques as you build a record 

of your life and events. Members only. Class fee: $100. See required materials and register here.

Explore modern scientific topics at a monthly book group, whether you have a lifetime of scientific experience or a new interest in the field. The selection for September is The Elements of Marie Curie: How the Glow of Radium Lit a Path for Women in Science by Dava Sobel. Included in Center membership. Register here.

A few chairs, a beach ball, and a low net add up to a fun, inclusive, and low-impact team sport. This gentle seated exercise can improve your upper body strength, flexibility, balance, and hand-eye coordination. Included in Center membership. Register here.

Form teams of 2 to 5 people and show off your knowledge! There's a different theme every time so, depending on the topic, you'll either shine or learn some fun facts. Free and open to all.

Applications are open for The Center's annual Small Works Exhibit held each November and December. This opportunity is open to artists who live or work in Charlottesville or the counties of Albemarle, Louisa, Fluvanna, and Greene. The submission deadline is October 19. Learn more here.

Dr. LeighAnna Morris, audiologist at Evolution Hearing & Tinnitus Center, shares tips for cleaning and maintaining your hearing aids. Free and open to all. Register here.

Bring your friends or come to join a team on your own. All skill levels are welcome. Cost is $17 for 3 games, rental shoes included. Open to all.

Enjoy a joyful summertime feeling by sharing a meal catered by Afghan Kabob. Open to all. Members $22; Guests $27. Register here by September 11.

Curious about The Center but busy during the day? Come learn all about our member benefits, meet staff and other members, and tour our beautiful building. Free and open to all. Register here. Thank you to Delaney Hearing Center for its support of Welcome Wednesdays.

Join us for an evening of camaraderie, conversation, and community. This relaxed gathering provides an opportunity for veterans, active-duty service members, military families, and supporters to connect, share experiences, and build lasting friendships in a welcoming environment. Free and open to all.

We're looking for friendly, welcoming volunteers to join our Welcome Desk team! Give a few hours in the evenings or on Saturdays greeting guests, answering questions, answering phones, and helping with basic computer tasks. If you enjoy people, love to help, and want to be part of our volunteer family, contact MJ for more information.

What expenses will a long-term care insurance policy pay for? Join Tracy Meade for the answer to this and more. Free and open to all. Register here.

Most Center programs use the MyActiveCenter (MAC) online registration system. If you're new to MAC or need help with technology, come learn how to set up your account, register for programs, view your personal activities calendar, and more. Bring a laptop or tablet to follow along. Included in Center membership. Register here.

This social gathering is designed for individuals with memory loss or dementia and their caregivers, offering a supportive and engaging environment to connect with others. Free and open to all. Register here.

Crowd pleasing songs and styles, from Motown to the '80s and onward, will keep you on your feet. Bring your dancing shoes and boogie down! BYOB. Please note, there will not be a food truck onsite. Open to all. $20. Register here.

New to Medicare or need a refresher? Bring your questions and navigate your healthcare options with confidence. Free and open to all. Register here.

Meet the artists whose work is currently on display in The Center's galleries—Ann Cheeks, Tom Tartaglino, and Juliette Swenson Free and open to all.

Pick up a script, take a seat, and bring a scene to life. Working with a partner, you'll rehearse one scene across six weeks, performing with your script on a music stand. The series concludes with a public performance on October 29. No experience or movement required. Included in Center membership. Register here by September 17.

Learn or improve your skills in the French language with instructor Anne Padilla. Advanced speakers meet from 10:00–11:30 am; Intermediate students meet from 11:30 am–1:00 pm; Beginners meet from 1:00–2:30 pm. Class fee: $75. Click on your preferred level to register. 

Many thanks to Bronze Corporate Partner AT Home Care Staffing for its generous support. Established in 1996, AT Home Care Staffing specializes in private duty and personal care services. AT Home Care Staffing's partnership with The Center contributes to healthy aging opportunities for older adults in our community.

The annual Active Aging Week returns in October for another full slate of programs elevating healthy aging in our community. Kick things off on Saturday, October 3 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm with the Active Aging Expo, featuring free health screenings and functional fitness assessments, over 60 local businesses and organizations with healthy aging resources, live music, games, giveaways, and more! See the full schedule for Active Aging Week online.

Invite a friend to discover what The Center has to offer! Rather than just hearing about our programs, these guests will get to experience a variety of healthy aging opportunities firsthand. If you are a member and want to encourage someone you know to attend, grab an invitation from the Welcome Desk to share. Not a member and interested in attending yourself? Register here.

Pack your bags to explore the Big Apple in all its winter glory, with a stay in Midtown Manhattan. Enjoy world-class entertainment and iconic sightseeing experiences, including the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, a Broadway play, Rockefeller Plaza, Morgan Library & Museum, The Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, and more. Contact the Travel Office at 434.974.6538 for more information.

Need help registering for a program?

Call the Welcome Desk at 434.974.7756!

434.974.7756 | thecentercville.org | 540 Belvedere Blvd., Charlottesville, VA 22901