2 0 1 5 SENIOR BEACON A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF NEPTUNE TOWNSHIP DEPARTMENT OF SENIOR SERVICES AND SENIOR CENTER 1607 CORLIES AVENUE NEPTUNE, NJ 07753 ROSEMARY GRAY, DIRECTOR 732-988-8855 WWW.NEPTUNETOWNSHIP.ORG BLACK HISTORY MONTH 8:30am - 4:30pm Office Hours FEBRUARY 2015 9:00am - 3:30pm Program Hours FACING THE CHALLENGES OF OUR CHANGES As most of our readers know, the new year is bringing significant changes to the internal structure of our office with the retirements of Irene Paternostro and Ellen Sanderson. We will miss Irene and Ellen very much and thank all of you for helping us to give them such a wonderful retirement send-off. Now it is time for us to get down to the business of reorganizing our office which will take time to work thru. We are currently interviewing. Following the hiring of new employees, there is extensive training that is required for these specialized positions. We will be short staffed and we ask that you have patience with us as we go thru this most challenging time over the next couple of months. We hope that you understand our challenges especially that we will not be able to plan the amount of large special events we are used to planning and hosting. We thank you for your patience. BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS ELECTION SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2-9PM Vote at Olin St. Firehouse in O.G. or at the Municipal complex. VETERAN S MEMORIAL PARK FUNDRAISER A NIGHT AT THE USO SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 7-11PM AMERICAN LEGION POST #346 GULLY ROAD Tickets are $15 in advance ($20 at the door). Dance the night away to 1940s music with DJ Fred. Light refreshments. Cash bar. Call 988-5200 Ext. 272 for reservations. DON T FORGET TO VISIT US ON THE WEB Go to www.neptunetownship.org and go to the Senior Center page to enjoy many memorable moments. If you go the Township website there is also a link to the fan page on facebook which has great pictures of recent events at the Center, special activities, and Irene and Ellen s retirement celebration. Neptune Township Department of Senior Services and Senior Center is funded in part by a grant from Monmouth County Division on Aging under Title III of the Older Americans Act and does not discriminate in violation of federal regulations.
BIRTHDAY PARTY INFORMATION Due to the changes and restructuring of our office, our birthday parties will unfortunately have to be postponed indefinitely. We still want to help you celebrate your special day. If it s your birthday month, stop by on your birthday or as close to your birthday as possible. Present your Senior Center ID card and get a birthday surprise from us. ATTENTION ALL SENIOR HOMEOWNERS PROPERTY TAX DEDUCTION RENEWAL DUE MARCH 1 Seniors receiving the $250.00 Senior Citizen Property Tax Deduction, must submit a post-annual tax statement to Neptune s Tax Office by March 1. Forms are being mailed soon and failure to return the form will cancel your discount. If you are not receiving the $250.00 deduction, and would like info, or if you need assistance with the renewal form, call Kristina. TOWNSHIP CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 FROM 1-3PM February is traditionally recognized as Black History Month. In honor of this, MURC in conjunction with Neptune Township, is planning it s 12th annual community celebration of African American History. Final plans were still in the works as of the printing of this newsletter. Watch the web for info. LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is designed to help low-income households and/or individuals, 60 years of age or older, meet their home heating and medically necessary cooling costs. The application period runs from October 1, 2014 until April 30, 2015. For applications or further information, contact Kristina. The monthly income limit is as follows: Single - $1,945.00 and Married - $2,621.00 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR READING BUDDIES PROGRAM Neptune Township School district is in need of volunteers for their Reading Buddies program. This program is sponsored by Family and Children s Services and requires no previous experience. If you have a joy of reading and a willingness to read to small groups of children in a Neptune School, this volunteer experience is perfect for you. If you are interested, call Lisa at 732-222-9111 ext. 153 for more information. WORLD CHANGERS APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE World Changers will return to Neptune July 11-18, 2015. World Changers volunteers provide painting and rehab services for low to moderate-income households. For applications or for further information, contact Kris at the Center. Applications are also available online at neptunetownship.org. 2
HEARTFELT THANKS AND SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR EVERYONE S GENEROSITY!! Once again we find ourselves overwhelmed with the generosity of our community. We would like to thank everyone for the monetary donations and all of the goodies and supplies that were donated to our Center. There are far too many of you to name individually and we don t want to run the risk of not acknowledging someone, so from all of us to all of you, we offer our most sincere heartfelt thanks. CENTER OFFERS INCOME TAX COUNSELING Tax counseling is available, by appointment, for Township seniors needing help with State Income Tax Forms, and/or Federal Income Tax Forms. To get an appointment, please call on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays, from 2-3:30pm. A staff member will be available on those days to schedule appointments. When you call for an appointment, please let us know if you need a Federal or State form so the correct time is scheduled for you. When you come for your tax appointment, you must bring all of your current financial information and last year s tax forms. If you do not bring the info, the counselor will not be able to do your taxes. Due to the limited amount of appointments available, and the demand we have, if you do not come prepared, we may not be able to reschedule your appointment. Please remember that our tax counselors are all volunteers specifically trained in handling tax forms for Seniors only. If your tax forms are complex, they may need to refer you elsewhere. FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER NOTICES AND CLOSINGS For cancellations tune to radio stations 94.3FM The Point, 92.7 WOBM FM, 1160 WOBM AM or 101.5FM or go online, log on to 943thepoint.com and go to Storm Watch. PROGRAM NOTICES IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR FITNESS CLASS PARTICIPANTS For many years, the suggested donation for our 1 hour exercise classes has been $3.00. As we enter into our 2015 budget year, our department will need to increase the requested donations to help cover the cost of running these classes. The donation for fitness classes will increase to $4.00 and our Arthritis classes will have a $3.00 donation. Shape Up Sitting Down classes which are 30 minutes (instead of 60 minutes); and, which have been free-will donations until now, will now be a $2.00 donation per class. Please remember that these are requested donations and we ask that you give what you can, if and when you can. Thank you for understanding. 3
COMPUTER CLASSES SIGN UP NOW FOR SPRING CLASSES Computer classes are offered Wednesdays and Fridays. Call Gigi for info on the appropriate class for you. Seniors who have laptops, smart phones and/or tablets are welcome to bring them to the Center for our Wednesday classes. We are equipped with WIFI and our instructors will assist with connection and use of WIFI. Call Gigi we are now booking for spring classes. FOR THE HEALTH OF IT THE NURSE WILL BE IN WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11 FROM 9AM 12NOON Our Board of Health nurse will be here to check blood pressures, discuss medications, and chat with anyone who would like to meet with her about particular medical concerns. Stop by and you will be glad you did. SODIUM IN FOODS WHAT ARE THE HEALTHY AMOUNTS PRESENTED BY DIANE WEST, REGISTERED DIETICIAN TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17 Important information for everyone. Don't miss this program. MEN S DAY OUT WITH LUNCH AT THE CENTER CELEBRATE CHINESE NEW YEAR WITH US THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19 AT 11:30AM For Men s Day Out this month, we are shaking it up a bit with lunch instead of breakfast. Lunch will be a Chinese food buffet served at 12pm. There s a requested lunch donation of $4.00. Bring a deck of cards and enjoy an afternoon playing poker or one of your favorite card games. Call Gigi for reservations. Deadline for reservations is Thursday, February 12. IN RECOGNITION OF BLACK HISTORY JOIN US! AFRICAN DANCE AND DRUMMING TEAM WITH ROSALEE MCNAIR AND FRIENDS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12 AT 11AM Come celebrate African-American heritage. Enjoy and participate in various African songs and dances performed with authentic African drums and instruments. MOVIE MATINEE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN (RATED PG-13) WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18 AT 1:30PM Deadline for transportation is 11:30am Tuesday, February 17 Tuskegee Airmen portrays the experiences of the first African -American fighter pilots in the U.S. Army. This movie follows the airmen from their initial training at Tuskegee, Alabama, through their combat assignments during World War II and the racism the pilots endured. After the airmen completed their training, the military was reluctant to trust them in battle but, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt came to their defense. Eventually they joined other African-American pilots in the 332nd Fighter Group where their skill in protecting bombers from enemy fighters finally earned them the respect they deserved. Don t miss this historical action-packed film. 4
FITNESS CLASSES FOR ALL LEVELS Make good fitness your routine for a healthy life. Start your exercise programs with us. All new attendees must pre-register with Gigi before attending. Proper shoes and attire required. PUMP IT UP WITH PATTY OR MARIA Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:00am Dance, exercise and tone with movements that are easy and repetitive. Get your heart rate up and burn calories with interval training techniques that include light weights for improving bone mass/strengthening muscles. Enjoy a wide variety of tunes from the 40 s, 50 s, 60 s...etc. SHAPING UP SITTING DOWN WITH LISA Mondays and Fridays at 10:30am Donation $2.00(per class) A gentle fun way to improve strength and stamina. Try a new approach to good health, exercise and wellness. Great for those who want some gentle exercise or those who are on the mend and looking to increase tolerance and fitness level. YOGA STRETCH WITH LISA Tuesdays at 11:00am Learn breathing exercises, relaxation, yoga postures and stretching. The class can be done in a chair or on a mat. Bands and balls are incorporated to increase flexibility with bars and chairs to work on balance. Detox and relax your body/mind. T AI CHI CHIH WITH DAN Tuesdays 9am and Thursdays 10:30am The benefits of T ai Chi Chih are proven...better blood pressure, better relaxation, less stress, better body mechanics. TOTAL BODY SOLUTION WITH SUZANNE EXERCISING THROUGH ARTHRITIS Wednesdays and Fridays at 1:00pm (Call Gigi for info) Donation $3.00(per class) An educational, active, enjoyable approach to living with arthritis. Participants should attend both sessions weekly. Books and bands will be provided. ZUMBA GOLD WITH PATTY Tuesdays at 1pm and Thursdays at 12n Donation - $4.00(per class) Have fun in a dance party atmosphere. Music from around the world. Everyone is encouraged to make the dance their own by slowing down or speeding up their dance movements. Burn calories by shaking it up and having a good time. FEELING GREAT VIDEO Wednesdays at 10:30am Great fun, good chair exercises...give it a try. No donation. YOGA WITH MARIA Thursdays at 9am Proven benefits stress reduction, relaxation, lower blood pressure, improved mobility and flexibility. 5