These weekly emails will highlight upcoming programs & events, news & updates, as well as links to our virtual programs. For a complete listing of all of our on-going, in-person classes and activities, please take a look at the monthly bulletin. Paper copies of the monthly bulletin are also be available at the Center.
2023 BSAC memberships available now online!

We are now accepting memberships and renewals for 2023
New Senior Meals Distribution Plan
Starting Monday, January 9th

Senior Community Meals are back in-person 5 days a week, Monday through Friday, 11:30-12:30. (Check out the menu here. To-go meals are also available)

We continue to offer bags of 5 frozen “To-go” meals by donation for those 60 and over each Monday from 10:00-11:00am with drive-up and walk-up lines (see image below). We ask that you choose to participate in either the frozen To-go Meal program or the Senior Community Meals on a weekly basis (up to 5 meals per week). If you feel that you have a need for both the fresh and frozen meals, please contact Julie Meyers at 360-733-4030 x1025 or [email protected].
Upcoming Programs
AARP Tax-Aide Appointments

BSAC is pleased to once again partner with AARP Tax-Aide to offer free tax preparation to seniors in our community. AARP will have appointments available Tuesdays and Fridays from February 3rd to April 14th.

Advance appointments are required and can be made on January 17th and 18th by calling (360) 733-4030 x1033 between the hours of 9am and 1pm.

Nationwide AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides in-person and virtual tax assistance to anyone free of charge with a focus on taxpayers who are over 50 and have low-to-moderate income. Tax-Aide volunteers are located coast-to-coast and are trained and IRS-certified every year to make sure they know about and understand the latest changes and additions to the tax code. Those with appointments must pick up the registration forms in advance from Bellingham Senior Activity Center.
Kurt Aemmer

Kurt is one of the most celebrated Blues singers to come out of Bellingham in decades, having garnered 7 Best Blues Award Nominations from the Washington Blues Society between 2003 - 2008. He has produced or co-produced 9 full CDs, and has a songwriter’s credit on a 10th.

Performing on the second Wednesday of each month (Jan. 11), 12:30pm in the Coffee Bar.
Shopping and Preparing Food for Blood Pressure Management

Eating a heart-healthy diet is important for managing your blood pressure and reducing your risk of heart attack, stroke and other health threats. By adopting the habit of reading food labels, you can choose foods more wisely. Watch for foods that have saturated fat or trans fat, and foods that are high in sodium. With so many marketing messages being thrown at you in the grocery store, it can be difficult to know what is truly healthy Presented by Tara Marshall, certified health coach and Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring program Healthy Heart Ambassador.

Friday, January 13th at 11:00am
TED Talk Discussions

We invite you to join us to view and discuss selected TED Talks (or other similar talks & presentations) that will facilitate discourse on important subjects. The videos serve as a great jumping-off point for discussion and sharing of ideas, and we welcome suggestions for topics to explore together.

Join us! Each gathering will feature two talks to be viewed and discussed. Second & fourth Friday of each month, 1-3pm at BSAC and on Zoom.

Friday, January 13th at 1:00pm

A moral blueprint for reimagining capitalism - We know capitalism exacerbates injustice and inequality worldwide. So how can we fix it? Professor and social entrepreneur Manish Bhardwaj thinks we need to integrate "moral clarity".

What capitalism gets right -- and governments get wrong - Is capitalism a good thing? Journalist Katherine Mangu-Ward makes the case that "weirdos" left alone to innovate and explore far-out ideas in a free market system are our best hope for the future. 
Join in-person at BSAC or online with the link below
BSAC's FREE Virtual Programs
*Sunday Longevity Stick Class added to the Weekly Schedule*
Mondays:
1:00pm Strength Training for Balance with Elaine Cress, PhD.
Balance is the gateway to fitness, for without balance our ability to perform aerobic exercise through biking or walking/running are severely limited if not totally curtailed. So too, balance is the gateway to performing everyday functional tasks.
Meeting ID: 826 3775 7379
Passcode: connect!
If you have already registered this button will take you to the meeting.
Tuesdays:

11:00am, Longevity Stick, hosted by Bonnie, Robert & Ruth
The “Longevity Stick” regime incorporates a series of 12 movements designed to improve balance, flexibility, strength, mental focus, breathing capacity, and vitality. This activity is a low-impact exercise done while standing, using a long, one-inch diameter dowel (or stick), that reduces the risk of injury while improving circulation and balance.
Need a stick? Have questions? Contact Bonnie at 360-303-7924.
Meeting ID: 966 2431 8896
Password: connect!
Wednesdays:

9:00am-11:00am Spanish Conversation Group
Hablas Espanol? Join us and practice your Spanish skills! Express yourself and learn from other fellow Spanish speakers at BSAC. 
Spanish Conversation
Meeting ID: 895 8308 2317
Passcode: connect!
1:00pm Strength Training for Balance with Elaine Cress, PhD.
Balance is the gateway to fitness, for without balance our ability to perform aerobic exercise through biking or walking/running are severely limited if not totally curtailed. So too, balance is the gateway to performing everyday functional tasks.
Meeting ID: 826 3775 7379
Passcode: connect!
Thursdays:

10:30am, Writers Group
to share wit, wisdom, and our words. Anything you want to write about and read to the group in 4-7 minutes or so. Essay, poetry, humor, memoir, book review, anecdote, or whatever thoughts you have put to words. Friendly association, discussion of ideas, and fun is what we’re all about! This group also meets at this time in-person at BSAC.
Meeting ID: 879 9511 9939
Password: connect!
11:00am, Longevity Stick, hosted by Bonnie, Robert & Ruth
The “Longevity Stick” regime incorporates a series of 12 movements designed to improve balance, flexibility, strength, mental focus, breathing capacity, and vitality. This activity is a low-impact exercise done while standing, using a long, one-inch diameter dowel (or stick), that reduces the risk of injury while improving circulation and balance.
Need a stick? Contact Bonnie at 360-303-7924
Meeting ID: 926 4901 8991
Password: connect!
Fridays:

1:00pm, TED Talks Discussion
We invite you to join us to view and discuss selected TED Talks that will facilitate discourse on important subjects. They serve as a great jumping-off point for discussion and sharing of ideas, and we welcome suggestions for topics to explore together. Join us!

Each viewing will feature a different topic from which two TED talks will be viewed and discussed. Second Friday of each month, 1-3pm at BSAC, and fourth Friday of each month, 1-3pm on Zoom.
Meeting ID: 983 5299 9312
Password: connect!
Saturdays:
9:00 - 10:00am, Zumba Gold with Mikari
Zumba Gold is for active older adults who are looking for a modified Zumba class that recreates the original moves at a lower intensity. The design of the class introduces easy-to-follow choreography that focuses on balance, range of motion, and coordination.
Meeting ID: 996 3183 5583
Password: connect!
Sundays:
11:00am, Longevity Stick, hosted by Bonnie, Robert & Ruth
The “Longevity Stick” regime incorporates a series of 12 movements designed to improve balance, flexibility, strength, mental focus, breathing capacity, and vitality. This activity is a low-impact exercise done while standing, using a long, one-inch diameter dowel (or stick), that reduces the risk of injury while improving circulation and balance.
Need a stick? Contact Bonnie at 360-303-7924
Meeting ID: 843 0716 8702
Password: connect!
Looking for help using Zoom? Check out BSAC program coordinator Eric's how to use Zoom presentation on YouTube.

Looking for more help with Zoom, your cell phone or laptop? BSAC Tech Help Volunteers are ready to help get you started. Simply reply to this email and we will help you one-on-one support.

For some virtual programs, it is best to have a camera and microphone so you can be seen and heard for discussion and questions. Most laptops, smartphones, and tablets have them built-in. You can also participate without a camera or mic, which will work for the exercise programs.
Try BSAC classes on your own schedule with YouTube
Senior Community Meals
Senior Community Meals are back in-person at BSAC five days a week, Monday through Friday, served from 11:30am to 12:30pm. A different meal will be served each day and there will also be a vegetarian option. Meals are also available to-go if you prefer.
Bellingham Senior Activity Center is a program of Whatcom Council on Aging whatcomcoa.org