RSF Senior Center offers classes, activities, resources and more

Please visit www.rsfseniorcenter.org/in-person-classes or call the Senior Center at 858-756-3041 to register for in-person classes.

The Senior Center will be closed on Jan. 1 and 2. Wishing You a Happy New Year!

Line Dancing

Tuesday, Jan. 6, from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. In this fun, 60-minute class, you will learn basic line dance steps and choreography with Heather Leon who has over 4 decades of dance experience with a B.A. in Modern Dance Choreography from UCLA. There is a $20 fee per class paid to the instructor.

Paint With Alex

Wednesday, Jan. 7, from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Join us in the studio with working artist and educator Alex Schaefer. Learn advanced techniques to further your painting skills. Bring your own artwork and supplies (acrylic, oil, or watercolor) to work with Alex and fellow artists. There is a $20 fee per class paid to the instructor. We thank Alex Schaefer for the many great painting lessons he shared at the Senior Center and wish him all the best.

Rancho Santa Fe Resident Hosts Book Talk

Wednesday, Jan. 14, from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.  Join us for a morning of inspiration and discovery as we explore how to craft your own playbook for living at any age. Dr. Louise Stanger LCSW, CDWF, CIP, CILC, will share insights from her newest book, Reflections on Aging, a heartfelt guide to resilience, reinvention, and embracing life’s possibilities. Through warm storytelling and ageless wisdom, she invites us to see aging not as a limitation, but as a deepening of joy, purpose, and creativity. Come connect, reflect, and leave uplifted—ready to turn up the volume on your dreams. Thank you to our sponsor Engage Aging Life Care Management

Wisdom, Compassion, & Resilience Program

Each Friday, Jan. 16 – Feb. 20, from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. The Senior Center is pleased to offer a 6-week program developed by the UCSD Center for Healthy Aging and the Stein Institute for Research on Aging. Built on nearly a decade of research, this evidence-based series supports overall well-being in older adults through empowerment and shared learning.

Participants will explore meaningful discussion, reflection-based exercises, mindfulness and meditation practices, and key concepts including wisdom, resilience, empathy, savoring, and gratitude. The program will be co-facilitated by Kris Slugg and Laura Humphrey. Limited Capacity.

The Senior Center will be closed on Monday, Jan. 19 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Community Friendship Builders

Wednesday, Jan. 21, from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. Looking to make new friends or have engaging conversations beyond your usual routine? Join Community Friendship Builders to connect with others, share stories, and enjoy meaningful, laughter-filled discussions. Facilitated by Kim Shea, a retirement coach, author, and longtime advocate for older adults, this class creates a welcoming space for friendship, support, and community connection. This group meets once a month.

Self Defense for Seniors

Thursday, Jan. 22, from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. Learn awareness and prevention strategies, how to use household items as improvised weapons, and how to defend yourself with a cane called “Cane Fu.” Plus, learn techniques to escape various wrist grabs, chokes, and holds. No matter your age or physical ability, these techniques are simple to learn, easy to remember, yet effective enough to incapacitate an attacker. Feel more confident and empowered knowing that your own body is your best weapon against assault. Gale Bryan is a self-defense instructor in the San Diego metro area. She has taught hands-on classes to 556 women and over 100 children. 1300+ people attended her self-defense lectures/demonstrations.

Readers & Writers Workshop

Last Tuesday of each month. Jan. 27, at 10 a.m. Join author Elizabeth St.John for a warm, welcoming gathering and explore great books, enjoy lively discussion groups, and spark creativity with gentle writing prompts designed for every level of writer. Guest authors often join us to share their own experiences and stories, enriching our conversations and inspiring new ideas.

Whether you’re recording family memories, starting a new story, or simply curious about the craft, you’ll find a friendly, trust filled environment where questions are encouraged, and ideas are shared with kindness. Just bring a pen, a notebook, and an open spirit— you’ll be among friends.

Book Club with the RSF Librarians

Wednesday, Jan. 28, from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Join us for a lively discussion at the Senior Center of The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn. This novel is about a mother who became a soldier, a woman who found her place in the world, and one who changed the course of history forever. Pick up your copy of the book at the Rancho Santa Fe Library or download a copy using your Libby app.

Open Art with Merci Jensen

Wednesday, Jan. 28, from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Join local artist Merci Jensen for a monthly open art space for all levels. A skilled painter and drawer, Merci brings years of experience and a passion for oil painting, color, and composition. Enjoy a relaxed, supportive space to create, connect, and grow artistically. Bring your own materials & join the fun!

ONGOING CLASSES

Open Play Mah Jongg

Monday (weekly) from 10 a.m. am – noon. Enjoy a friendly game of beginner American Mah Jongg, a tile-based game that is enjoyed by individuals throughout the world! A Basic understanding of the tiles and rules is required.

Texas Hold’em Poker for Beginners

Each Monday, from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. This fun, beginner-friendly class teaches the fundamentals of Texas Hold’em, giving you the confidence to join a friendly game. Instructor George Bullette, Senior Center Board President, brings years of poker experience and will guide you through basic rules and strategies in a real game setting. This class is full—please call to be added to the waitlist.

Open Play Chess

Each Tuesday, from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Come and enjoy a friendly game of chess and get a workout for your brain! All levels of players are welcome. Tables and playing pieces are furnished. Lessons are available, please call for more information.

Self-Compassion for Stress Reduction

Each Thursday, from 9:30  a.m.– 9:55 a.m. Lower stress through guided and silent meditation using the works of Jack Kornfield and Pema Chödrön. Enjoy a 5-minute guided meditation with Ann Nye, PhD followed by 20 minutes of silent meditation to cultivate mindfulness and inner calm. Studies have shown that meditation can help lower blood pressure, boost immunity, improve sleep, and slow memory loss. Take this time to breathe, center yourself, and reconnect with stillness.

Chair Yoga

Each Thursday, from 10 a.m.- 11 a.m. Chair Yoga is a type of yoga that is modified to allow participants to perform all exercises seated. Instructor, Peggie Moore, is passionate about working with students of every age, size, shape and ability. There is a $10 fee per class paid to the instructor. The first class is free.

Advanced Conversational Spanish

Each Friday, from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. ¡Hablemos en español! Jeannette Caruth learned Spanish solely through conversation and invites you to become more familiar with the language. Each class is a one- hour adventure of hearing and speaking another language. Designed for learners comfortable with the basics of Spanish & are ready to take their skills further. There is a $10 fee per class paid to the instructor.

Please Note: Visit www.rsfseniorcenter.org/in-person-classes or call the Senior Center at 858-756-3041 to register for in-person classes. To receive our newsletter by email, visit our website: www.rsfseniorcenter.org and provide your email address or send an email to info@rsfseniorcenter.org.

Resource and Referral Service: Available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Seniors and their family members can speak with a staff member in person or by telephone and receive valuable information to address a wide variety of needs. Please call 858-756-3041 or email info@rsfseniorcenter.org for assistance.