Effective January 1, 2023, there will be a slight increase to membership dues at The Center. This will not affect current members until their next renewal date. The increase of $1 more per month for Standard members and $4 more per month for Prime members is the first rate change since our move to the new, larger facility at Belvedere, and supports The Center's continued expansion of programs and hours. Saturday hours are coming in March! If you have any questions, please contact the Welcome Desk.

The 2022 ICAA NuStep Pinnacle Awards were presented earlier this month at the International Council on Active Aging Conference, Leadership Summit & Expo in Orlando, Florida. Awards highlight communities that embrace wellness as a way of life, creating relevant, meaningful opportunities that empower people to live better longer. We are proud to announce that The Center at Belvedere is a winner in two of the three award categories: Community Center and Wellness CEO. Look for more information about this honor in our next newsletter!

Using cookie cutters and other unconventional clay tools, instructor Riley Gildea will teach students how to create ornaments from clay! Students will take home a hand-crafted clay ornament that they can keep for themselves or gift to a loved one. Open to all. Prime members free; Standard members $15; Guests $25. Materials fee is $10, payable to instructor at start of class. Register here.

Have you ever wondered about alternatives when staying in your home is not an option? Representative Lori Madison from Our Lady of Peace will be in The Center Atrium, available to answer questions and share information. Free and open to all.

Join this informal gathering of instrumentalists and vocalists to play standard jazz tunes the first Thursday of each month. Musicians of all ages and abilities, from beginners to professionals, are welcome to join in. Not a musician? Come and listen! Free and open to all. Learn more.

The holidays would not be complete without your favorite holiday songs. Enjoy sounds of the season with the Second-Wind and First-Wind Bands under the direction of Michael Auman. Open to all; donations encouraged.

Discover another way to play and create! Using scissors, colored cardstock, and a few simple folds, create wild (or tame) 3D landscapes, decorative masks, or totally abstract sculptures. Open to all. Prime members free; Standard members $10; Guests $15. Materials fee is $5, payable to instructor at start of class. Register here.

David Cariens, author of “Virginia Tech: Make Sure It Doesn't Get Out," as well as two textbooks and multiple books on gun violence and mass shootings, shares his personal loss during the first school shooting in Virginia in 2002. With over 40 years of experience in intelligence and crime analysis, David will address the aftermath of mass shootings from several perspectives. Free and open to all. Register here.

Warm up at The Center with complimentary hot chocolate, coffee, cookies, and good conversation. For Center members. Register here.

Has your grandchild or someone in your life recently come out? Do you want to be supportive but aren't sure what's next? Dr. Julie Alexandrin, Co-founder and President of Scaffolding Advocacy and Inclusive Leadership, Inc., discusses the challenges and opportunities that arise when someone you love comes out to you as LGBTQ. Free and open to all.   

Beginning the week of December 5, Bryan McKenzie’s Tai Chi classes will be offered on a new schedule. The new class times will be as follows:

Wednesdays, 5:30–6:30 pm

Thursdays and Fridays, 8:30–9:30 am

The Monday and Thursday 3:30 pm classes with Charlottesville Tai Chi Center will not change.

Medicare Specialist Kyle Bollmeier will be in The Center Atrium to answer questions and help you make the most out of your Medicare and Medicaid benefits. Many participants are unaware of their full benefits and additional programs for which they may be eligible. To learn more about options and enrollment, be sure to stop by. Free and open to all.

If you have recently joined The Center or are considering joining but would like to hear more, you are invited to attend a new and prospective member orientation. There will be a brief presentation, a chance to meet staff and other new members, and a tour of the building. Thank you to Corporate Partner The Colonnades for its support of Try It Out Tuesdays. Free and open to all. Register here.

Writer-directors Lorenzo Dickerson and Jordy Yager show and discuss their documentary "Raised/Razed," which chronicles the lasting effect of Urban Renewal on Vinegar Hill, a large African American neighborhood in the heart of Charlottesville. Free and open to all. Register here.

Changing Insurance Needs as You Age - Many things change as we age, including the different types of insurance we need. Find out what you need to know. Free and open to all.

Center member and pianist Bill Porter tests your musical knowledge with emcee Merle Kinzer, a past contestant on the TV show "Name that Tune!" (Fun fact that might show up at Trivia Night: Kathie Lee Gifford's first TV role was on "Name That Tune in 1977.) Free and open to all.

Dance your way to better health! Learn the Waltz, Quickstep, Tango, Foxtrot, and Viennese Waltz with instructor Steven Babusko. All levels are welcome. Open to all. Prime members free; Standard members $30; Guests $45. Register here. 

Have fun learning something new! Steven Babusko teaches you the Cha-cha, Rumba, Jive, Samba, and Paso Doble. All levels are welcome. Open to all. Prime members free; Standard members $30; Guests $45. Register here. 

Form teams of two to five for trivia on the first and third Tuesdays of every month. December 6 is the "Baby Boomer Edition." Bring a friend—or a group of them—grab a drink from Greenberry’s, and settle in to show off your skills or learn something new. Prizes are awarded to the winning team. Free and open to all.

Slipping on ice is a danger we all face in the wintertime. The Piedmont Master Gardeners will present safe and effective ways to treat hard surfaces that are plant, people, pet, and watershed friendly. Free and open to all. Register here.

Join your fellow veterans and host Dawn Ross on the first Wednesday of each month for coffee, pastries, and conversation on any topic. Thank you to Corporate Partner SKV Group for its support. Free and open to all veterans.  

Join musicians from Team Fermata of the Wednesday Music Club and enjoy solos, duos, and ensembles. Free for Center members. Register here.

Members of the 2023 class of UVA Dietitians will be at The Center with tasty takes on four different trail mix recipes, and the opportunity to create your own mix. Free for Center members. Register here.

Pete Cross guides you through gentle stretching movements that will help you become stronger and more flexible. For all fitness levels. Prime members free; Standard members $25/month. Register here.

Detroit, Michigan, 1959: Berry Gordy gathers the best musicians in the city's thriving jazz and blues scene for his new record company, Motown. By the end of their phenomenal 14-year run, this unheralded group of musicians play more Number One hits than the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, and The Beatles combined. Free and open to all. Register here.

Many people take the time to plan for their belongings after they pass, but don’t consider the options for their remains. Harold Decker of the Cremation Society of Virginia will provide information about cremation services and the benefits of preplanning end-of-life wishes. Free and open to all. Register here.

Fiber artist Donna Westermann will help you felt darling keepsake angels – one to keep and one to give away as a cherished handmade gift of the season. No experience required. Open to all. Prime members free; Standard members $15; Guests $20. Materials fee is $12, payable to instructor at start of class. Register here.

Come watch the Army/Navy game on the big screen and enjoy a delicious tailgate lunch from  Mission BBQ. Thank you to Corporate Partner SKV Group for its support. Open to all. Free for veterans and their families; $10 for Center members; $15 for guests. Register here.

Join in this monthly discussion, open to any subject in the news that interests you. All thoughts and opinions are welcome, and discussions will be friendly and respectful. Bob Toplin will host. Free for Center members. Register here.

It’s a holiday extravaganza! Craft cards, lip balm-stuffed festive crackers, a gift bag, and custom decorated sticky notes. Join in the fun and enter a holiday raffle. Open to all. Prime members free; Standard members $10; Guests $15. Materials fee is $10, payable to instructor at start of class. Register here.

‘Tis the season! Learn how to create your own wreath with provided natural materials. Design elements include freshly cut boxwood, pine, cedar, holly, and a variety of other organic materials. Participants will use the pin technique on a 12-inch straw wreath base and will take home their creation. Bring your garden snippers if you have them. Open to all. Prime members $40; Standard members $45; Guests $50. Register here by December 7.

You are never too old to get your picture taken with Santa! Bring your loved ones to snap a picture with a longtime jolly friend. Pets are allowed to join in the fun too! Free and open to all. Register here.

Bring your best baking to The Center! In celebration of the holiday season, everyone is invited to join in the merriment through exchanging your favorite cookies. Free and open to all. Register here by 4:00 pm on Friday, December 9.

Flu season is back upon us and forming a triple threat with coronavirus variants and RSV. Keep yourself and your community in good health! Remember to wash your hands regularly, keep your vaccines and boosters up to date, and stay home when experiencing symptoms of illness.