From fitness and educational opportunities to social and creative arts events, Alexian Brothers Senior Ministries offers many opportunities to help seniors stay healthy and active in 2010. February events include:

Beginning Yoga for Seniors
A beginning Yoga class for seniors is offered each Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Alexian Brothers Senior Neighbors building at 1000 Newby Street (corner of 10th and Houston streets.) The class is taught by a certified Yoga instructor. Attendees should bring their own yoga mat. Chair yoga positions are also offered. Yoga classes are free for Senior Neighbors members and $3 for nonmembers. Senior Neighbors membership is only $25/year.

Free Income Tax Preparation for Seniors
As a service to Chattanooga area seniors, Alexian Brothers Senior Ministries, AARP and VITA will provide free income tax preparation services free of charge at two locations.

Alexian Brothers Senior Neighbors at 1000 Newby Street (corner of 10th and Houston streets) in downtown Chattanooga: Wednesdays and Thursdays, Feb. 3 through April 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please call 423 755-6100 for an appointment. AARP volunteers will provide the tax preparation services.

Alexian Brothers Senior Neighbors Soddy Daisy Community Center at 190 Depot Street in Soddy Daisy: Tuesdays, Feb. 3 through March 31 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m. Please call 423 332-1702 for an appointment. VITA (a free tax service funded through the IRS) will provide the tax preparation services.

Flexibility and Balance Classes
Flexibility and Balance classes are offered on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month (February 11 and 25) at 11 a.m. at the Alexian Brothers Senior Neighbors building at 1000 Newby Street (corner of 10th and Houston streets.) This fun and educational class will focus on muscle strengthening exercises for the legs along with coordination exercises that will help participants improve their posture and balance. Flexibility and Balance classes are free for Senior Neighbors members and $3 for nonmembers. Senior Neighbors membership is only $25/year.

Valentine’s Party
The Alexian Brother Senior Neighbors Soddy-Daisy Senior Center will host a Valentine’s Party on Thursday, Feb. 11 at 9:30 a.m. Try winning a cake in a cakewalk, make a valentine craft or be one of the “Best Dressed Valentines!”

Health Workshop
A health workshop titled, “Know Your Numbers” will be presented by Jill Heine of the Chattanooga Health Department on Friday, Feb. 19 at 11 a.m. at the Alexian Brothers Senior Neighbors Center at 190 Depot Street in Soddy-Daisy. Learn about blood pressure and cholesterol levels, meal serving sizes and proper portions of fruits and vegetables in preparation for a healthy new year.

Book Club
The Senior Neighbors Book Club meets the third Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at the Alexian Brothers Senior Neighbors building at 1000 Newby Street (corner of 10th and Houston streets.) The book to be discussed on February 15 is Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese.

Free Lunch and Learn Workshops
Free Lunch and Learn events for seniors are held on the third Monday and Tuesday of each month at the Alexian Brothers Senior Neighbors building at 1000 Newby Street (corner of 10th and Houston streets.)

The Lunch and Learn on Monday, Feb. 15 at 12 p.m. is titled, “Are You Getting a Good Night’s Sleep?” and is presented by Beverly Tallent of the Memorial Sleep Center. Please call 423 755-6100 by Feb. 11 to RSVP.

The Lunch and Learn on Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 12 p.m. is titled, “What You Need to Know About Your Will” and is presented by Mark Jones of Pre-Paid Legal, Inc. Please call 423 755-6100 by Feb. 12 to RSVP.

Men’s Luncheon
The Senior Neighbors Men’s Luncheon is held on the last Tuesday of each month at 12 p.m. at the Alexian Brothers Senior Neighbors building at 1000 Newby Street (corner of 10th and Houston streets.) The speaker for Feb. 23 is Tracey Knauss, “The Photo Doctor.” Bring your old or damaged photos to see if they can be restored. The cost of the luncheon is $8. Please call 423 755-6100 by Feb. 16 to RSVP.

Memory Screening
How many times have you misplaced your keys or forgotten someone’s name? How do you know when these senior moments reach a level that should cause concern? Attending a memory screening can help answer these questions and often alleviate the anxiety and worry many seniors experience regarding their memory. For the small majority in which real memory problems are found, early detection will lead to more effective treatment with newly available medicines.

Dr. Robert Cantanese and Dr. Benjamin Birdwell will be conducting memory screenings at Senior Neighbors on Wednesday, Feb. 24 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Participants will complete puzzle-like tasks that require memory skills for approximately 45 minutes. The results will be provided immediately by the doctor. Medicare and most insurance plans are accepted. Please call Dr. Cantanese’s office at 423 339-3996 to schedule an appointment.

Community Appreciation Day
The Saint Vincent DePaul Outreach Mission of Holy Spirit Catholic Church will sponsor a free luncheon in honor of seniors on Thursday, Feb. 25 at 12 p.m. at the Alexian Brothers Senior Neighbors Center at 190 Depot Street in Soddy-Daisy. Please RSVP by Feb. 18.

Ballroom Dance Party
The Senior Neighbors Ballroom Dance Party is held on the fourth Thursday of each month (Feb. 25) at 7 p.m. at the Alexian Brothers Senior Neighbors building at 1000 Newby Street (corner of 10th and Houston streets.) Admission is $5. Participants are asked to bring a plate of finger foods to share.

Need to brush up your ballroom dancing skills? Senior Neighbors offers intermediate ballroom dance classes each Wednesday at 10 a.m. Classes are taught by Dennis Mullis of The Dance Floor dance studio. Class registration and tuition is required. Call 423 755-6100 for more information.