Published: October 26, 2009 05:24 pm      

FAIR PARK: Take charge of your health

By Donna Rule / Chronicle contributor — Returning to Fair Park in November will be the “Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program,” sponsored by the U.T. Extension Office. Through a partnership with the Tennessee Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation and the Tennessee Department of Health, the University of Tennessee Extension is offering the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program to those Fair Park participants interested in taking charge of their health.

This class, developed by the Arthritis Foundation, not only includes activities designed to improve endurance and joint motion as well, but is also great fun! Designed specifically for persons with arthritis, this class takes into consideration the pain, fatigue and decreased strength and motion that often accompany the disease. The class includes accommodations for individual limitations and does not encourage activities that might aggravate, rather than relieve, arthritis symptoms. In order to assure safe performance of the exercises, instruction about basic principles of arthritis exercise, correct body mechanics and joint protection are included. If you are interested in trying out this class, please call the center or sign up at the front desk. This class will be every Wednesday (starting in November) at 1 p.m.

Also starting in November is Fair Park’s new Cardio Blast class. Based on concepts taught in Fair Park’s Tuesday afternoon chair stretch class, this new program not only combines stretching, work with hand weights, balls, and bands, but is different in that the majority of the class activities are performed from a standing position. The goal of the class is to increase aerobic endurance using activities designed to keep the body in motion for the entire duration of the class as well as building muscle, endurance, and flexibility. This class will be held Wednesday afternoons at 2 p.m. directly after the Arthritis Foundation exercise program.

Another important program upcoming on Friday, Nov. 13, is the Medicare Part D enrollment event with the Upper Cumberland Development District and Progressive Savings Bank. From 10 a.m. through 2:30 p.m., representatives from both these agencies will be available to evaluate the participant’s current Part D enrollment and discuss the changes and options that are occurring this enrollment period. These representatives work with each participant individually, so appointments MUST be made in advance. Please drop by or call the center to make your appointment as soon as possible to ensure your questions are answered.

For music lovers, Fair Park will be starting a “Beginner’s Bass Guitar Group” on Thursdays in November at 1 p.m. This group will teach the fundamentals of music theory, scales, arpeggios as well as lots of “hands on” work with your bass guitar. Please sign up at the front desk if you’re interested in learning this unique and interesting instrument.

To keep informed about Fair Park’s activities and to learn about its corporate partnerships, you can visit the center Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can also visit the center’s Web site at www.fairparkseniorcenter.org to keep up-to-date on the latest programs and activities that are being offered as well as online versions of the center’s monthly newsletter “Newsline.” Take advantage of the resources that Fair Park offers — get involved, and become part of the fun!

NOTE: Basic I and II Computer Classes are ongoing — call for more information and to sign up for classes

Wednesday, Oct. 28

•10 a.m. — Beginning electric guitar with Tom Fincher.

•11 a.m. — Intermediate electric guitar with Tom Fincher.

•12:30 p.m. — Creative Quilters.

•12:30 p.m. — Pool League begins.

•1 p.m. — Guitar forum.

•1 p.m. — Cribbage with Andy Bertolino.

Thursday, Oct. 29

•8 a.m. — Senior Expo in Cookeville — van full.

•9 a.m. — SilverSneakers® Muscular Strength & Range of Movement.

•10 a.m. — Table tennis.

•10:15 a.m. — Beginning yoga with G. King.

•12:30 p.m. — Bridge Bunch.

•1 p.m. — Ceramics with Eileen O'Barsky.

•1 p.m. — Euchre with Tommy Cole.

•2 p.m. — Senior chess club — open play, everyone welcome.

•4 p.m. — Healthy Eating Class — $10 per person per class. Call to reserve your spot.

•6:30 p.m. — Line dancing.

•6:30 p.m. — ER4YT with Larry Nesbit.

Friday, Oct. 30

•9 a.m. — Beginning Bridge with Marcel Bilodeau.

•10 a.m. — Halloween party — costume contest and live music with Tom Fincher.

•10:30 a.m. — Uplands bingo.

•10:30 a.m. — Darts with Chuck Toodle.

•12:30 p.m. — Bridge class.

Monday, Nov. 2

•8 a.m. — Table tennis.

•9 a.m. — Veggie bingo.

•11 a.m. — Line dancing.

•12:30 p.m. — Pinochle.

•12:30 p.m. — Bridge Bunch.

•1 p.m. — Painting with the Masters with Glenna King.

•1 p.m. — Cribbage with Andy Bertolino — everyone welcome.

•6:30 p.m. — ER4YT with Larry Nesbit.

Tuesday, Nov. 3

•9 a.m. — SilverSneakers® Muscular Strength and Range of Movement.

•10 a.m. — ER4YT with Larry Nesbit.

•10 a.m. — Advanced Tai Chi with Diane Parvin.

•11 a.m. — Beginner Tai Chi with Angie Bedard.

•12:30 p.m. — Pool League begins — sign up in pool room.

•1 p.m. — Chair stretches with Glenna King.