NWIC Presentation - Wednesday, May 3rd at 3:30 (3MC) Visit to the NWIC Space Center - Wednesday, May 10th at 1:30 What began as a casual group of students using some hands-on science to send water bottles rocketing into the air, has become a recognized “space center” for Northwest Indian College students to shoot for the stars. The NWIC Space Center, organized by Computer Science teacher Gary Brandt, had humble beginnings but now competes nationally and often outperforms schools with far more resources. This month, we’ll have a chance to learn about what the Space Center is and what the program does for the participating students. We’ve invited Gary Brandt along with a few current Space Center students to come to The Willows to give us an idea of what they do and to show off some of their handiwork. After their visit to The Willows, we’ll take a bus to their classroom the following week to see some of the Space Center machinery at work and, weather permitting, to see the students set a small rocket to launch! E,WW,S At a Glance 10-11 It’s Park Walk Season 2 Happy Mother’s Day 5 Game Night 12 Nia with Dana Carr 3 Spring Wine Dinner 7 Willows Grad Party 13 Calm Your Mind 4 “The Midtown Men” 9 Through Angie’s Lens 14 Music for the Soul 14 Watercolor Play 15 Willows Farm Stand 16 Keep your routines fresh and your motivation high as you maintain your allimportant balance, core strength, heart health and flexibility. Don’t forget to exercise your brain! 7:15, 10:15, & 2:00 (DR) Coffee, cookies, & chit-chat. Invite your neighbors or meet someone new! Mondays at 1:30 (3MC) A shared experience of fun, humor and community-building through spontaneity (*class fee). 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of each month at 3:00 (3GL) Knit, sew, crochet, quilt and help spur on each other’s projects. Wednesdays, May 3rd, 17th & 31st at 2:00 (3MC) Step into the shoes of a fictional character! Choose a part and read scripts from classic plays. Fridays at 3:00 (3GL) Bring your favorite beverage and a snack to share with new and old friends. Friday, May 26th at 8:30 All men are welcome to sign up and join us for a casual breakfast out on the town! Tuesday, May 9th at 2:00 Explore Bellingham’s oldest municipal park! Meander along packed gravel trails around mature trees, the gazebo and fountain, or walk the perimeter of the park along the sidewalk to admire the beautiful homes of the Columbia neighborhood. E,U,WW Tuesday, May 30th at 2:00 Walk on paved paths around ball fields, a state-of-the-art playground, or through some woodsy areas to observe restored native plant habitat. Bring “Fido” to enjoy the fenced-in dog park area specially divided for large and small dogs! E,U,WW Saturdays at 10:30 (3FC) Last month’s Introduction to Nia programs garnered quite a bit of interest and left folks wanting more Nia! To keep you dancing, we’re adding a weekly Nia class to the regular fitness schedule. Every Saturday morning at 10:30, head to the 3rd Floor Fitness Center to try out this fun and intuitive exercise with local instructor Dana Carr. You can expect a 30-minute class with a variety of seated and standing movements to some invigorating tunes that are sure to get you moving. We hope you’ll give it a try! Mon & Wed at 1:00 Practiced seated, qigong is a simple and gentle exercise that promotes enhanced flow of energy and circulation in the body. Benefits: Reduced stress Improved respiration & circulation Better balance Tues & Thurs at 9:30 & 10:30 Find your balance. Practice flowing movements seated in a chair, then standing with the chair’s support. Emphasis is on focused breathing. Benefits: Improved range of motion Better balance Increased strength Pinochle, Scrabble, Bridge, Dominoes, Poker and Pool—We have many options for you to get involved in a little friendly competition! Check the calendar for organized times or talk to the Program Department if you’d like to get something going, or to find out more about current groups. Wed & Fri at 10:30 Wed at 3:00 Specially chosen exercises that boost better balance. Both on your feet and seated in a chair. All abilities welcome. A variety of seated and standing exercises intended to keep you fit and functioning in everyday life. Benefits: Better balance Increased strength Improved core stability Benefits: Increased stamina Improved strength & cardio Better balance Keep your routines fresh and your motivation high as you maintain your allimportant balance, core strength, heart health and flexibility. Don’t forget to exercise your brain! Tuesday, May 9th from 1:00 to 2:00 (FL) Get your walker Spring-ready at this free walker tune-up session brought to us by the kind technicians at Bellevue Healthcare. Sign up for a 15-minute session with the techs and they’ll make an evaluation and do any necessary work on your walkers. They will offer general walker service, adjustments, and replace parts if they are able to do so on site. Sign up in the book if your walker needs tuning and be sure to leave a brief note of what it is that needs to be fixed. Sundays in May at 2:00 (1FWL) Quiet your mind and find inner peace. We all lead busy lives and even the best intention to meditate can get lost. Joining The Willows Meditation Group assists in establishing a committed weekly practice. This informal gathering begins with a short meaningful reading and 25-minutes of either sitting in silence or listening to a recording of a guided meditation. Meditation is beneficial in decreasing stress, improving concentration, promoting self -awareness, acceptance and well-being. No experience necessary. Monday, May 15th at 2:00 Experience walking the indoor labyrinth at First Congregational Church led by Labyrinth Facilitator Sharon Nyberg. Reduce stress and calm the mind as you walk peacefully surrounded by glowing candles, hearing water gently cascading over stones and soft music playing in the background. Sharon will provide guidance and information about the labyrinth which was inspired by the medieval, 11-circuit labyrinth found at Chartres Cathedral in France, believed to date from about 1220. E,WW Embrace the community. Build meaningful new relationships and nurture longstanding ones. We offer group discussions and other structured support for residents seeking camaraderie and connection. *WILLOWS MOTHER/DAUGHTER HIGH TEA Saturday, May 6th at 2:00 (DR) -- *Fee: $7/person You are invited, along with your daughters, granddaughters, or surrogate daughters for a splendid afternoon of tea, fresh tea-time treats, Champagne service, and of course, girl time. Our annual Mother/Daughter Tea has been reinvented into an elegant high tea fit for the Queen herself. You’ll dine on a variety of tea sandwiches and classic refreshments as the Champagne service goes round and the Mother’s Day celebrations begin. We hope you’ll join us for this special afternoon event. Information was provided under your door on how to reserve a spot for you and up to two guests. Reservations and fees are due to the front desk by Tuesday, May 2nd. Sunday, May 14th served from 12:30 to 3:00 (DR) Enjoy a lovely meal shared with your family and friends on Mother’s Day. The Chefs will be designing a delicious menu perfect for celebrating this special day. More information about the menu and how to make a reservation will be provided. Wednesday, May 31st at 3:00 (3GL) Join Melinda from Right At Home for a fun and informal gathering to learn more about what a Right At Home personal assistant could do for you. At this event, Melinda will pour you a glass of wine and pass around a plate of cheese and crackers as you chat about Right At Home and try your hand at the adult coloring trend! Monday, May 1st at 1:50 (meet in Lobby) We’re going on a bus tour! Whatcom Council of Government’s Transportation Planner, Mary Anderson will guide us on a bus tour to downtown Bellingham with a stop at the station to get your free-riders pass, called a Gold Card (for age 75+). Please bring your photo I.D. to verify your age. With a bus stop conveniently located at our front door, this is a great opportunity to get a taste of getting around town on your own without a car and for free! E,WW Saturday, May 20th at 1:30 *Trip fee: $2 We’re heading out to Lynden to watch dogs of all breeds sashay around the ring in hopes of being given the title Best in Show. This national dog show, sponsored by the Mt. Baker Kennel Club and the Bell Vernon Kennel Association, will feature dozens of breeds from various working groups. We’ve planned our visit to the four-day long show so that we will be able to see the group judging stage of the program during which a single dog from each breed competes to go in the running for Best in Show. The show is indoors, but we’ll sit around the ring on our comfy folding outdoor chairs. Join us for this puppy parade! E,WW,F Tuesday, May 23rd at 1:00 *Trip fee: $10 Glen Echo Gardens, located just 6 miles outside of Bellingham, features a variety of themed botanical gardens that meander around 7 acres - all located in a natural, wooded setting. We will hear the history of this Whatcom County gem from the owner and creator of the gardens and explore along the packed, flat gravel trails to our heart’s content. The fee for admission is included, but bring money for the charming Glen Echo Gift Shop! W,U,F,S Saturday, May 27th at 10:30 Support our local farmers and artists by taking a trip with us to Depot Market Square in downtown Bellingham. Browse fresh-picked spring vegetables and flowers, meats, cheeses, breads, coffee and tea, as well as hand-made arts and crafts, jewelry, and clothing! W,WW,F,S Embrace the community. Build meaningful new relationships and nurture longstanding ones. We offer group discussions and other structured support for residents seeking camaraderie and connection. Monday, May 1st at 4:30 Specialty or build-your-own pizzas made fresh in the heart of Fairhaven. Featuring three types of crust: a rich and flakey corn meal Chicago-style, a tender-crisp Detroit or a thin crust made with Hefeweizen beer, Brooklyn-style. Entrees average $15. E,WW Wednesday, May 31st at 9:30 With a variety of breakfast options including crepes, waffles, eggs and more, the International House of Pancakes has something for everyone. The average menu item costs $8. E,WW Saturday, May 20th at 5:30 (3MC) *Dinner fee: $45 Enjoy superb wines perfectly paired with a delicious meal. This month, our Chef David Burdette and Jen Rein will lovingly prepare a 6-course, farm to table spring menu to be served alongside a fleet of Washington wines from Bellingham’s Seifert & Jones Wine Merchants. The wines for the evening will be chosen by sommelier, Diane Jones, and will be available for order at the end of the evening. Space for this special event is limited, there will be a lottery sign-up at Personalized Registration. Thursday, May 25th at 11:30 (3GL) Bruschetta is an antipasto starter dish from Italian cuisine made up of a nice crusty bread topped with any number of fresh ingredient medleys. Traditionally, bruschetta is served with a tomato and basil topping, though the Gourmet Wannabes are known for thinking outside the box… For this month’s meeting, the bread will be provided and the Gourmets will be tasked with bringing any kind of topping that they’d like, be it vegetables, beans, meats, cheeses, anything! Sign up in the book to join, then come with your homemade topping in hand, or a bottle of wine, and we’ll be set for another delicious Gourmet lunch! Embrace the community. Build meaningful new relationships and nurture longstanding ones. We offer group discussions and other structured support for residents seeking camaraderie and connection. Wednesday, May 3rd at 10:00 WWU Professors Laura and Gustavo Camacho (violin and horn) are joined by Victor Cayres, who serves on piano faculty at Boston University School of Music. This concert is free, just sign up in the book to join! E,WW Sunday, May 14th at 2:30 *Ticket fee: $12-$24 Guest organist and historic preservationist Dennis James will amaze the audience once again on the Wurlitzer theater pipe organ! His live score will sync with the classic scenes in the 1925 film Ben-Hur. This high-budget film of its time cost 20 times the average MGM release and features an infamous chariot race scene—the product of 200,000 feet of film from 42 cameras, this death-defying sequence is still a thrilling theatre experience today. E,WW Sunday, May 21st at 2:30 Since his appointment at age 22 to Principal Cello for the Seattle Symphony, Joshua Roman has developed a dedicated Pacific Northwest following. The 2016/17 season closes as Joshua joins the W.S.O. for Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor and Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 in C minor. Call 360.734.6080 for tickets. E,WW Friday, May 26th at 2:30 We will be heading back to campus to enjoy another dress rehearsal of Western Washington University’s 80-member Symphony Orchestra. We’ll see behind-thescenes as the Orchestra fine-tunes their performance and makes adjustments before the big show. Admission to the rehearsal is free of charge, though donations are appreciated. Sign up in the book to join! E,WW Friday, May 12th at 7:00 (3MC) and Saturday, May 13th at 8:45 *Ticket fee: $23.10 - pay at the door Der Rosenkavalier is a comic opera telling the story of a beautiful aristocrat and her young lover. Though there is a comedic tone, the tale operates at a deeper level, with characters musing over the passing of time, growing old, and men’s inconstancy. This production features a dream cast of Renée Fleming as the aristocratic Marschallin and Elīna Garanča as the young lover in Strauss’s grandest opera. Enjoy the magic of a live opera performance in the comfort of the movie theater! To learn more about the production, head to the Media Center for the Pre-Opera Lecture by opera expert, Dr. Clyde Hiss, the night before. Dr.Hiss will provide an informational preview of the opera before seeing it performed live on the big screen! E,WW Thursday, May 18th at 6:15 *Ticket fee: $45 This sensational production reunites four stars from the original cast of Broadway’s Jersey Boys to bring you a one-of-a-kind concert experience celebrating the music that defined the ’60s. The show promises a soulful production with top-shelf choreography, incredible vocal performances, and legendary onstage chemistry. Join us for a joyous and nostalgic trip through your favorite music of the 1960s! E,WW Wednesday, May 10th at 10:00 (3MC) Filmed in 2013, The Short Game follows the best 7-year-old golfers from around the world as they take on the world famous Pinehurst Golf course in North Carolina to become the next world champion and golf's next phenomenon. Most of these young prodigies have been holding clubs since before they could walk and are better by the time they are six than most people will be in their lifetime. Enjoy a donut and coffee while we watch these kids in amazement! Every other Monday at 10:30* Located in Sunset Square,. Extensive selection and helpful staff. Every other Monday at 10:30* (location alternates) Over 80 years as the leading Northwest Washington grocery store chain. Every other Thursday at 2:00* One-stop shop with groceries, pharmacy, clothing, home décor, & more. Every other Thursday at 1:30* Trader Joe’s has unique groceries & an extensive wine/beer selection. Check your calendar* Shops include: Walgreens Xfinity (Comcast) Kmart Tuesday Morning Lowe’s Post Office JoAnn Fabrics Goodwill Rite Aid Liquor Store Skagit Bank Safeway Sally Beauty Check your calendar* Shops include: Target TJ Maxx Macy’s Food Co-Op JC Penney Petsmart Kohl’s Bank of America Bed, Bath & WECU Beyond Walmart *Sign up in the book to join* Wednesday, May 24th from 10:00 to 2:00 Just like Medical Transportation, you can sign up for a trip on our shuttle to the location of your choice! The bus will leave The Willows every 60 minutes, sign up with Jen or Sierra to get on board. *North bound in the AM, South bound in the PM. Every Tuesday & Thursday from 8:45 to 3:30 Sign up at the Front Desk for a trip on our shuttle to your medical appointments. The bus leaves The Willows every 45 minutes and will take you to and pick you up from your Doctor’s office. Please call the Front Desk at least 24 hours in advance to arrange your ride. *North bound in the AM, South bound in the PM. Tuesday, May 30th from 10:004:00 (3GL) This is your chance to find out more about next month’s events, and be the first to sign up for trips, classes, fitness and more! Make a one-on-one appointment with Sierra, Jen & Taylor our friendly Programs staff - and we’ll be able to answer questions and help you decide which offerings are best suited to your lifestyle. Sign up for your 5-minute time slot in the sign-up book on the day that the newsletters are delivered. E = Easy Trip W = Walking U = Uneven Ground or Pathway S = Standing Str = Stairs F = Free Time WW = Walkers Welcome Manager: Viki, [email protected] Assistant Manager: Leslie Sales & Marketing Director: Patrick Front Desk: Laura, Paris, Cat Relocation Coordinator: Molly Food Service Manager: Jen R. Tuesdays at 11:00 (3MC) These meetings are an opportunity to come together weekly as a community to discuss future programs, hear updates, or brainstorm ideas. Thursday, May 18th at 11:00 (DR) Questions? Comments? Concerns? Meet with our manager, Viki, and voice what is important to you. Jean Clark Pat Crane Barbara Hamann Michelle Sentenne Ruth Spisak Brenda Brooks Jack & Shirli Hunt Audrey Weber Laura Boyd Vesta Blum Marge Greenke Joan Foster Gerry Vandenberg 16 years 11 years 6 years 6 years 6 years 5 years 4 years 4 years 2 years 2 years 1 year 1 year 1 year Resident Managers: Taylor & Allison, Matt & Megan Programs/LifeMinded Coaches: Sierra T., Jen A., Taylor W. Housekeeping Team: Karen, Jeanine, Sheri, Bupar Maintenance Team: Doug, Brian, John, Tim Maintain your talents. Sharpen your skills. Stay productive. Continue to put your abilities to work through volunteering, mentoring, networking and more. Whatever your life’s work, it need not end with retirement. Walgreens on Sunset offers free prescription delivery to Willows residents. They also carry many other grocery and sundry items that they would be happy to deliver to The Willows. Call the store to place an order. (360) 647-2713. Built around your specific needs, Right at Home can offer personal in-home assistance to help you maintain your independence. Special pricing & arrangement for Willows residents. Call (360) 392-3934 or inquire at the Front Desk for more information. Tracey from Hearing Northwest is here the 4th Monday of every month, providing complimentary hearing tests, hearing aid repair & otoscopic exams of your ear canal. Sign up for an appointment in the book. The Willows Salon (360) 756-0989 Tuesday: 9:00-4:00 Wednesday: 9:30-4:00 Thursday: 9:00-4:00 Friday: 9:00-4:00 In-House Banking with Banner Bank. Available every other Tuesday in the Fireside Lounge from 10:00 to 11:00. Call (360) 7538282 for more information. Massage Therapy With Diane Weber, LMP Wednesdays & Fridays as scheduled. $10 per 15 minutes. Schedule your appointment in the sign up book. Gift Certificates now available for purchase at the Front Desk! Saturdays, May 6th & 20th at 2:00 (3MC) Christian Culture in Late Antiquity Our final look at the world of late antiquity will involve asking how and where we can see the impact of Christianity on the culture of the Roman world. Muhammad and Islam The world of late antiquity produced three heirs: the Islamic world, the Byzantine Empire, and the Germanic West. This lecture examines the first of these. The Islamic world was the least predictable of the three as an heir for anyone looking at the ancient world. Saturday, May 27th at 7:30 (DR) Put your thinking caps on for this intergenerational game night! The students of Squalicum High School’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Club are eager to host a Game Night here at The Willows. They’ll come up with some trivia questions to challenge both the youngsters and the seasoned pros. If cards are more your thing, you’ll also find a poker table where you can take on some of the brightest students in the community. We’ll provide the games and light snacks, all you need to do is show up ready to play. Let the good times roll! Sunday, May 21st at 1:30 (DR) Galleria Opening on Saturday, May 13th at 3:30 (2FG) Each year, we throw a celebration to congratulate our beloved staff as they graduate. This spring, we have both high school and college graduates on staff. Willows resident and skilled photographer, Angie Jones, will be displaying a variety of her eye-catching photos on the walls of our Willows Galleria. You’ll see stunning shots of Mount Shuksan, Mount Baker, The Willows, and picturesque sunsets all captured through Angie’s lens. Stop by the Galleria Opening to enjoy a glass of wine alongside Angie’s work! You are invited to a reception to show your support and cheer on their accomplishments! Come for a piece of cake and to share your well wishes for their bright futures. Tuesdays, May 9th & 23rd at 3:00 (3MC) Brenda Brooks, continues to lend her expertise to anyone interested in improving their writing skills or learning how to begin to grow their writing. Stop by and try it out! Wednesdays, May 10th & 24th at 2:00 (3FWL) This group - open to all - focuses on how to incorporate mindfulness into daily living. The group often discusses how to feel embodied and mindful of goals, daily challenges, problem-solving, and joyful events. Wednesday, May 31st at 11:00 (3GL) We are happy to be welcoming several new residents to call The Willows “home”. We know that there is a lot to learn when you are new to our community and we want to be sure that any questions are answered so that all of our residents can be living their life at The Willows to the fullest. At this Coffee Klatch for folks who’ve moved in most recently, there will be opportunities to get to know neighbors, learn from one another, and spend time with each of the Department Heads to get to know what we as staff do. Invites will go out to new residents with more information. Welcome to The Willows! Whether it’s daily reflection, a weekly gathering, or lively discussion, a key to living LifeMinded is feeding the soul. Life is a journey, so join in! Sign up ahead of time in the Sign-Up Book to ride our free bus to local churches 8:45 - St. Paul’s Episcopal 9:25 - Birchwood Presbyterian Bus 9:45 - First Congregational 10:00 - Assumption Catholic, Garden Street Methodist, St. Paul’s Episcopal, Unitarian Fellowship 10:30 - Trinity Lutheran Thursdays at 10:30 (3MC) Rod Johnson leads non-denominational scripture study and prayer. Fridays at 11:00 (3MC) Prayer and communion led by a lay person from Assumption Catholic Church. Saturday, May 13th at 11:00 (1FEL) Short non-denominational service combining prayer, scripture readings, and reflection. Sunday, May 21st at 7:00 (3MC) This month’s Hymn Sing will feature favorites chosen by Goldie Burton, as well as others from the songbook! Check the listing below for a complete list of the concerts here at The Willows for the month of May. Thursday, 5/11 at 7:00 (3CL) Matt is a guitar-playing one-man-band. We love his country twang! Wednesday, 5/17 at 7:00 (3CL) Mellow music from the 60s through the 80s. Chuck quickly became a Willows favorite and this time he’s bringing along two special guests, Carr Johnson on the piano and Vic Smith playing the stand-up bass! Thursday, 5/25 at 7:30 (DR) Our featured Pop-Up Jazz Club artists. See more information on page 16. Thursday, May 4th at 7:00 (3MC) This month’s music program was inspired by maypole dancing! Expect to see plenty of maypoles along with other traditional folk dances from all over the world. You’ll watch the dances on the TV screen, though you’re welcome to get up and dance-a-go-go too! Saturday, May 13th from 1:30 to 3:30 (3GL) Teaching artist, Christian Anne Smith returns this month for another fun and colorful afternoon of watercolor play! This time around Christian will inspire you to paint animals in her “Feathers & Fur” workshop. If you have your own watercolor project and you’d like to work on it with Christian’s help, you’re free to skip the Feathers & Fur. Come play! Wednesday, May 3rd at 10:15 “Step out of the box” and join Jen from Programs and Willows’ own improv teacher, Sheila Goldsmith, for another community improv event at the Bellingham Senior Center. Participants from the Senior Center and The Willows will take part in a variety of fun games and exercises in a spontaneous fashion. Acting and performance skills are NOT required, newcomers welcome! Willows transportation will be provided. E,WW Let the good times roll! Decide when and where you’d like to host your party, which residents you’ll invite, and what treats you’d like the Kitchen to provide. You’ll pick up your “Instant Block Party” cart from the Kitchen, complete with everything you’ll need, and away you go! Check with Food Service Manager, Jen, to get the ball rolling. Brighten the day of others with a card, Help with folding napkins and other visit, or kind word. Talk to the Front Desk projects every Monday and Wednesday at to get involved. 1:30. Meet in the Dining Room. Help stock merchandise and work short shifts in the shop. Talk to Sierra or Ginny Connelly for more information. Patrick can use your help by volunteering to show your apartment, meet prospective residents, or hosting someone who is trying out The Willows. Contact Patrick for more information. Do your part to help The Willows be “green!” Help monitor the Refuse rooms throughout the building to ensure recycling items are sorted correctly and educate your peers about proper recycling. Contact Jen in Programs to get involved. Thursday, May 25th at 7:30 (DR) Marvin knows how to lay down a swanky tune on the piano and he’s bringing along Yesterday’s Playboys to round out his sound with a jazzy trio. To accompany the smooth sounds of the trio, we’ll set up a cozy Pop-Up Jazz Club atmosphere! You’ll choose one of the evening’s signature drinks from the bar, find a comfortable seat, and relax as the space is filled with music. Cheers! Wednesdays, beginning May 17th, from 11:302:00 (front portico) The growing season is upon us and the Willows Farm Stand is back! We are happy to welcome back owner of Cascade Blueberry Farm, Kevin Maddux, to sell freshly picked produce and gorgeous flowers grown on his farm in Custer. Kevin will be joined by various local vendors on a rotating schedule. Expect to find fresh-baked goodies, beautiful hand-made gifts, organic lotions and soaps and more! The stand will be under our front portico from 11:30 to 2pm every Wednesday beginning May 17th. The market will be open for Willows residents only from 11:30 to 12:00.
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