Pasadena Senior Center Offers Services Differently Due to COVID-19 Coronavirus Crisis

With the fitness center closed by emergency order and most classes and other activities canceled due to social distancing restrictions, staff at the Pasadena Senior Center, 85 E. Holly St., have developed creative alternatives for members and non-members during the COVID-19 Coronavirus crisis.

We’re still here for everyone who uses the center,” said Executive Director Akila Gibbs. “We’re just doing everything differently under the circumstances.”

Fitness center members are invited to join personal trainer Peter Matus for 40-minute strength training sessions with free weights on the large patio behind the center Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Each session will accommodate up to 10 fitness center members, with social distancing of six feet apart. They may bring their own sets of two- to five-pound weights for safety considerations if they like.Reservations are required due to the limited capacity. Call (626) 795-4331 to reserve your spot. Members who are sick should stay home.

Fee-based spring classes from French language and computer learning to exercise such as Pilates, yoga and chair aerobics will be offered online as a virtual option. Members of the Pasadena Senior Center may visit www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org and click on Class Registration or call 626-795-4331 to register or for more information,

As an alternative to monthly gatherings with MUSE/IQUE guest artists who make interactive presentations about the orchestra’s upcoming concerts, Artistic Director Rachael Worby and various musicians, artists, dancers and vocalists will host a brief webinar every Wednesday to give members and non-members of the center an up-close look at the magic behind their craft. Each webinar will be delivered to users’ email addresses. For more information visit the Pasadena Senior Center website and click on Webinar Events.

The popular Pasadena Senior Center Book Club, which ordinarily meets once a month to discuss the same book, is going virtual for the time being. The current book is the novel “Mr. Churchill’s Secretary” by Susan Elia MacNeal. For more information visit the website and click on Virtual Book Club or call Judy Starlight, the Book Club coordinator, at (626) 685-6760.

Attendance at the popular Friday movie matinees for members and non-members is now limited to 10 people in the center’s Scott Pavilion – a space with a seating capacity of 250 when there’s not a Coronavirus crisis. Each film will be shown at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. March 27: “Ford v. Ferrari” (2019, PG-13) starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale. American car designer Carroll Shelby and British-born driver Ken Miles build a revolutionary new race car for Ford Motor Company that will take on the dominating race cars of Enzo Ferrari at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans in France. The film is based on true events. April 3: “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” (2019, PG) starring Tom Hanks and Matthew Rhys. A magazine writer interviews Mr. Rogers for a feature article and discovers redemption in his own life. The film is based on true events. April 10: “Knives Out” (2019, PG-13) starring Daniel Craig and Christopher Plummer. When a renowned crime novelist is discovered dead at his estate, everyone in his dysfunctional family is suspect. April 17: “Bombshell” (2019, R) starring Charlize Theron and John Lithgow. A group of women takes on Fox News head Roger Ailes and the toxic work environment he created for them. The film is based on true events. Reservations are required due to the limited seating capacity. Call (626) 795-4331 to reserve your spot.

With most Pasadena Senior Center users staying home by state mandate, they are encouraged to sign up for the Telephone Reassurance Program, which offers daily calls from volunteers who provide wellness checks and conversation. To be placed on the list, call (626) 685-6732.

The weekday sit-down hot lunch program for people 60 and older has been transformed to a pickup service every Tuesday until the Coronavirus crisis is over. Anyone who is not registered already for the new system may call (626) 960-2995 and ask for Meals at Home Pasadena to get instructions on where to pick up five lunches every Tuesday.

Updates on these and other offerings will be posted at www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org as needed, or call (626) 795-4331.

Now in its 60th year of providing programs and services to the greater Pasadena community, the Pasadena Senior Center is an independent, donor-supported nonprofit organization that does not receive funding from any government agency.