Blog

Happenings at the FTJ Senior Centers – Beacon, Lighthouse and Ruston

By Christine Hall

Point Defiance ~ Ruston Senior Center

4716 N. Baltimore Street, Tacoma, 253-756-0601

AARP Free Tax Preparation
Starting February 2^nd AARP will be providing free tax preparation services by appointment.  Call (253) 756-0601 to make an appointment. Volunteers will be on site preparing taxes every Friday and Saturday through the end of the tax season (April 13^th).  We recommend you make your appointments early as the calendar fills up later in the season.

Friday Lunches Coming!
On Friday, February 2, Franke Tobey Jones will be offering lunches at our Senior Center.  The meals will be listed on the menu and offered for $3.50.  Please register and pay for your Friday lunch by Monday of the same week.  If you do not register, we won’t be able to serve you lunch.  This is a necessary process to prevent FTJ ordering too much food and it being wasted.

LGBTQ Yoga
The county is funding an LGBTQ Yoga class.  If you or anyone you know is interested in attending this class, it will begin on Thursday, February 2 and run every Thursday thereafter.  Ed and Maude Valentine are instructing this class.

LIGHTHOUSE SENIOR CENTER

5016 A Street, Tacoma 253-327-1112

2024 is off to a great start. January was a chilly month and served as a good reminder of how important being prepared for inclement weather can be.  February is no different, as there is always the possibility of extreme winter weather happening. To be sure you have the information needed to be prepared for such situations, I have included a link to the National Institute on Aging’s website that focuses on cold weather safety for older adults.

Cold Weather Safety for Older Adults | National Institute on Aging (nih.gov)

Workshop: Continuing Life Changes
Estate Planning- Wills, Trusts, Power of Attorney
Tuesday Feb 20^th at 12:45pm

Craft: Easy Beaded Bracelets w/Diana
Thursday Feb 8^th @ 10:00am

Black History Month Focus
During the month of February, we will be highlighting events in the African American communities and celebrating the contributions and achievements of black people throughout history. You will find this information posted on the board near the entrance of the center.

February Invite a Friend Program
Be sure to turn in your February *Winter Friends* coupons for every new guest you bring into the center. You and your friend could each win a prize!

BEACON SENIOR CENTER

415 S. 13^th Street, Tacoma, 253-327-1228

Magic Show
Join us on February 15^th at 12:30pm for a Magic Show presented by Gee Willikers!

Dr. Marcia Tate Arunga
Dr. Marcia Tate Arunga , Dean of Evergreen College in Olympia, will be joining us on Friday, February 16th at 11:00am . She will be sharing her book “The Stolen Ones and How They Were Missed” and speaking about the history behind the story. Dr. Arunga holds a Ph.D. in Leadership and Organizational Change from Antioch University, a Masters in Human Development with an emphasis in Adult Education and Human Services from Pacific Oaks College, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Washington. Please join us in welcoming her! 

Buffalo Soldiers
Let’s give a warm welcome to the Buffalo Soldiers who will be here on Wednesday, Feb. 21st at 11:00am to speak about the history of this unique group of men. The Buffalo Soldiers were United States Army regiments that were primarily comprised of African Americans and formed during the 19th century to serve on the American frontier. The nickname “Buffalo Soldiers” was purportedly given to the 10^th Calvary Regiment by Native Americans who fought against them in the American Indian Wars, and the term eventually became synonymous with all of the African American U.S. Army regiments established in 1866. 

African Attire and Soul Food
African Costumes and Soul Food
On Thursday, Feb. 8, at 12:30pm, participants will be dressing in African dress and be sharing their culinary skills with a Soul Food Potluck.

Black History Month movies
We will be showing movies, featuring prominent individuals in black history every week on the following dates and times:

• Monday, Feb. 5^th, at 10am, “Selma”
• Monday Feb. 12^th, at 10am, “Buffalo Soldiers”
• Thursday, Feb. 22^nd, at 10am, “Hidden Figures”
• Monday, Feb. 26^th, at 10am “Miss Jane Pittman”