Our Mission
The Open House Senior Center is committed to improving the quality of life for older adults.
It is the goal of our staff and volunteers to provide programs and services for the vigorous and independent person as well as the frail and vulnerable in the most integrated setting. We value and respect every ones right to age in place.
Classes & Programs
Alzheimer Respite Program, Art Classes (Acrylic, Drawing, and Watercolor), Awareness Through Movement, Balance Training & Fall Prevention, Barber, Birding Trip, Blues Piano Improvisations, Broadway/Old Time Songs, Cash Bingo, Chess Group, Computer Classes, Creative Writing, Cyber Cafe, Easy Ride Transportation Service, Excursions & Shopping Trips, Exercise, Footcare Clinic, Hairdresser, Health Insurance Counseling (HICAP), Hiking, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Knitting & Crochet, Mah Jong, Massage, Mat Exercise, Matting Work of Arts, Memoir Workshop, Nintendo Wii, Podiatry, Salsa Dance, Senior Women's Support Group, Soul Line Dancing, Tai Chi, Tea Dance and World Folk Dance.
50 Plus Bulletin
To keep current on services and programs benefiting older adults, call (510) 559-7677 and ask to be put on the 50 Plus Bulletin mailing list. Join our wellness program, senior excursion/trips, free workshops, computer classes and special events. Click here for the 50 Plus Bulletin.
El Cerrito CoCo Cafe
Enjoy a nutritious meal at a friendly atmosphere. Lunch is served Monday through Friday, 12 noon, at the Open House Senior Center. 4 Daily Entree Choices: Entree D'Jour, Cheese Burger, Chef's Salad and Seafood Louie Salad. Please call (510)559-7677 for advance reservation. $2 Suggested Donation.
Lunch Menu and More
Facility Rental
The Open House Senior Center is available for rental by public and private groups on Saturdays & Sundays. The facility includes a fully equipped kitchen, patio and barbecue. Seating up to 80 people. A five hour minimum rental time is required. More..
Calendar of Events
Tea Dance
Wed., Sept. 15, 1-4P, at the El Cerrito Community Center, 7007 Moeser Lane. $4 admission at the door. Enjoy monthly themes, snacks & prizes.
El Cerrito Committee on Aging
Wed.,Sept. 15, 3PM at the El Cerrito City Hall, Council Chambers, 10890 San Pablo Avenue. General public is invited.
Potluck Dinner Group meets 2nd Thursday of September and October, 4P-6P, at the OHSC, 6500 Stockton Ave. Lots of reat conversation, great home-made food, music to listen or dance, great movies to entertain you, and lively atmosphere. Sign-up 3 days in advance to bring salad, main dish, dessert, or beverages for six. All attending must contribute towards the dinner. Call (510) 559-7677 for information and sign-up.
Sleep Apnea Workshop on Fri., Oct. 22, 1P-2P, at the OHSC. Learn what is sleep apnea and tips for a better nights sleep. Workshop provided by Marlene Grady, Director, Doctors Medical Center, Sleep Disorders Center. Donation $2. Call (510) 559-7677 for information.
Health Nutrition and Diabetes Workshop on Fri., Nov. 12, 1P-2P, at the OHSC. November is Diabetes Month, a time to communicate the seriousness of diabetes and the importance of the diabetes prevention and control. Tracy Taylor, Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator, will present "Diabetes Among Seniors" to discuss what diabetes is and tips on how to manage it. Come learn how diabetes prevention and control can make a difference at any age. There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions. Donation $2.
Program Highlights at OHSC!!!
Lucille W. Weingart
Organic Community Garden
Raised Wood Garden Containers for Rent. Ideal for those who no longer have a garden or live in an apartment. Grow your own herbs, vegetable and/or cuts flower garden. Water spigots and hoses, city provides water, green waste cans for plant waste, and the city empties the waste cans as needed. Garden site has 4'x 8' raised, wood container, soil and water provided. $25 per year EC Resident/$30 Non-Residents. The average garden requires at least 15-20 minutes of maintenance a week. The six main requirements of community gardeners are:
Supply your own plants.Completely clear and substantially plant your rented container.Regularly weed, water and tend your rented container.Supply your own garden tools.Use no pesticides.Clear rented container of all dead plants by the end of rental agreement.
Memoir Workshop with Margaret Irvin. Starting on Thurs., Sept. 9 - ongoing, 10A-12P. A new weekly group where the focus is you - your life experiences remembered, written and shared. The group process sets the stage, encourages, supports, offers editing feedback. Brief class exercises will tweak your unique "voice". Good for beginning to advanced writers. Fee per Class: $4.25 EC Resident/$5.25 Non-Resident.
Breathing Technique & Meditation
with Damir Galiev. This class offers respiratory exercise to help restore and maintain good health. Session 1: Tues. & Thurs, 2P-3P, Oct. 5, 7, 12 & 14; Session 2: Tues. & Thurs, 2P-3P, Oct 19, 21, 26, & 28th. Fee per Class: $4.25 EC Resident/$5.25 Non-Resident.
Jin Shin Jyutsu on Tues., 1P-3P, with Joan Provencher, Jin Shin Jyutsu Intern/Practitioner. This ancient technique is a valuable complement to conventional healing methods bringing balance to the body's energies, promoting optimal health and well being. Fee: $11 for 30-minute session.
Blues Piano Improvisation on Wed., 1P-2P. Starting Sept. 1 - ongoing 4 classes per month. Learn to improvise blues music by Rote (no notation) with Aaron Blumenfeld. All levels of piano proficiency, from beginners to advanced are welcome. Fee: 4 Classes $40 Resident / $45 Non-Resident.
Cyber Cafe
Mon.-Fri, 9A-4P. Use your own laptop or computer at the OHSC. Computer resource staff is available for assistance. Free.
Salsa Dance
Wed., 9A-10A. Learn Salsa Basics with Glen Collins, a trained "Salsa with Juan" instructor. This is a progressive four-week that teaches anyone how to dance salsa. Every week Glen will review the steps and teach you something new in an easy to understand and relaxed format. The "Salsa with Juan" method is proven to get everyone dancing Salsa in the first hour of class. Four Classes $40 EC Resident/
$50 Non-resident or $10 Drop-in.
Soul Line Dancing "Let's Dance for the Health of it!" with Ray Johnson. Begins Friday, Nov. 5, 2P-3:30P. Get fit the fun way! Soul line Dancing is a great way to promote health and wellness. Fee per Class: $4.25 EC Resident / $5.25 Non-Resident.
Creative Mosaic Workshop with Richard Weber. Begins on Mon., Nov. 8 - Fri., Nov. 12, 3:30P-5P. Learn to create beautiful mosaic pieces: coasters, trivets and frames from stained glass materials. No glass cutting or soldering. All materials provided. Fee for 1-Week Workshop: $30 Resident / $37.50 Non-Resident.
Computer Classes
Learn and enhance your computer skills. OHSC offers a variety of computer classes for older adults. Call (510) 559-7677 to register.
Introduction to Computer w/ Richard Stellina on Wed. & Fri., 10A-12P.6 Classes $20
Internet Class w/ Anita Goldstein on Mon. (10A-12P) & Tues. (1P-3P). 8 Classes $20.
Adobe Photoshop Elements w/ Sheldon Belinkofff on Fri., 1P-3P. 4 Classes $20.
Cyber Cafe w/ Wifi Connection on Mon.- Fri., 9A-4P. Use your own laptop or computer at the center.
Volunteer Job Opportunities
Volunteers bring very special skills and talents to the City of El Cerrito. The City's performance delivering services to the public is greatly enhanced by volunteers. Rewards are many for those who volunteer. Job experience is gained, new skills are learned while keeping active and doing something worthwhile. As Mahatma Gandhi said, "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."
There is an immediate need for volunteers to perform the following tasks at the Open House Senior Center:
- Respite Group Volunteers: Provide assistance to persons with Alzheimer's Disease and other memory loss. In turn, this gives caregivers a break.
- Meals on Wheels Volunteers: Deliver noon day meals to the homebound in Kensington, El Cerrito and Richmond Annex.
- Computer Lab Volunteers: Teach computer skills at our Computer Learning Center.
- 60+ Newsletter Volunteers: Help label newsletters for our monthly mailing.
For more information, call Ellen Paasch,
Adult Programs Supervisor at (510) 559-7035
or email epaasch@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us.
