The Urbandale Senior Recreation Center building remains closed, but our goal to enhance your quality of life by engaging you in a healthy and active lifestyle has not changed. We are here to make sure that you stay connected and are provided the opportunity to continue to keep your mind and body active. Especially in a time of social distancing, we remain committed to reducing social isolation for all older adults in our community. We continue to add new programs for you to participate in digitally, or to take home and complete on your own. We hope you find something to enjoy.
De-Clutter, Down-Size, and De-Stress
Fridays, January 8-February 26, 1-2pm
$5
The New Year is the perfect time to take on a new goal and journey. Join Carissa and Katie in this 8-week support/discussion group as we take on the clutter, mess and stress of our homes. Each week we will meet on Zoom to receive a new challenge to work on, and show off our progress from previous challenges. We will also share our favorite tips, tricks and literature as we support each other in our goals to lower our stress and clear our clutter. Zoom link will be sent to registered participants 1-2 days before the class. Register online or by calling 515-278-3907.
Pick Up Picnic
Thursday, January 14, 11am-1pm
$6/meal
Drive through to pick up this ready-to-eat meal. We'll provide the food and a fun winter activity you can complete at home. Register online or by calling 515-278-3907.
Option 1: Cobb salad w/ chicken noodle soup
Option 2: Chicken salad sandwich w/ chicken noodle soup
Live Fitness on Zoom!
Barre: Mondays, 9:30-10:15am
Zumba Gold: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:15am
Cardio & Strength: Thursdays, 10-10:45am
Members with an active fitness membership can log in to Zoom at the class times listed above to take live fitness classes with your favorite USRC instructors. Fitness Members received a separate email with login instructions. If you did not receive the Zoom info, or would like to purchase a fitness membership, please email seniorcenter@urbandale.org or call us at 515-278-3907 for assistance. Classes are currently scheduled to run through January 28. No class 12/24.
Take & Make Card-Making Kits
$6 per kit
Each kit comes with everything you need to make two beautiful cards to share with a loved one. Try our holiday cards to spread good tidings and season’s greetings, make a Valentine’s card and send it to your special someone, or send a birthday card to celebrate a special day. Staff will reach out to you following registration to schedule a time for you to pick up your kit. Register online or by calling 515-278-3907.
Winter Holiday Kit: November 30 – December 21
Valentines Kit: January 4 – February 8
Birthday Kit: January 4 – March 31
Des Moines Art Center History and Architecture
Monday, January 11, 11am
Christine Hines, a Docent with the Des Moines Art Center will present on Zoom to teach about how the Art Center came to be and why it is located in Greenwood Park. The Art Center's buildings were designed by three of the leading architects of the 20th century. In our first session we'll focus on the earliest of these buildings, completed in 1948. We'll take a side trip into the Rose Garden in Greenwood Park, and we'll also look at some of the earliest artworks acquired by the Art Center and discuss local connections. This class is free. Zoom link will be sent to registered participants 1-2 days before the class. Register online or by calling 515-278-3907.
Iowa History Series
Join us on Zoom to experience Iowa history firsthand from the comfort of your home. This series will connect you to fascinating places and people from Iowa’s past. Zoom links will be sent 1-2 days prior to the class. These programs are free. Register online or by calling 515-278-3907.

The Iowa State Fair
Wednesday, December 9, 1pm
The internationally acclaimed Iowa State Fair is the single largest event in the state of Iowa and one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country. Join us on Zoom to learn all about the history of, and hard work of putting on, Iowa’s greatest attraction!

The Jack Trice Story
Wednesday, February 3, 11am
Join author Steve Jones on Zoom as we continue our Iowa History Series with the life and legacy of Jack Trice. The son of former slaves, he became the first African-American student athlete at Iowa State University. His family knew there was something special about him, and his untimely, racially motivated death in 1923 would mean something for the honor of his race, family, and self. Over the years at Iowa State University, things would change, but his name and legacy only grew stronger. A statue, a field named in his honor, and ultimately an entire football stadium would be named after him - the only such stadium in Division I college football to be named after an African-American.
Virtual Book Club
Grab a copy of the monthly book and get ready to discuss it over Zoom. Zoom links will be sent 1-2 days prior to the program. These programs are free. Register online or by calling 515-278-3907.

January: Anxious People by Fredrick Bachman 
Wednesday, January 20, 10am
Viewing an apartment normally doesn’t turn into a life-or-death situation, but this particular open house becomes just that when a failed bank robber bursts in and takes everyone in the apartment hostage. As the pressure mounts, the eight strangers slowly begin opening up to one another and reveal long-hidden truths and find they have more in common than they ever imagined.

February: Virgil Wander by Leif Enger
Wednesday, February 17, 10am
An enchanting and timeless all-American story that follows the inhabitants of a small Midwestern town in their quest to revive its flagging heart. With intelligent humor and captivating whimsy, Leif Enger conjures a remarkable portrait of a region and its residents, who, for reasons of choice or circumstance, never made it out of their defunct industrial district.
A New Year Journey To Better Health
Join our Health and Wellness Coach David on Zoom, as he leads this new series to get your New Year's Resolutions started right. From mental wellness, nutrition, and staying active through the cold of winter, these classes are here to help you be your best self in the New Year. Register online or by calling 515-278-3907.

Growing Old, Put a Smile on It • Friday, January 8, 10am

In Step with Spring • Friday, February 12, 10am

Make Health Your Hobby • Friday, March 12, 10am ($6 covers printed materials)
Dress A Girl Kits
If you enjoy sewing and need something to help you pass the time, sign up to pick up a kit to sew dresses for our Dress A Girl program. The kit comes with everything you need to keep busy for a few quiet evenings. Email or call 515-278-3907 to schedule a contact-free pickup.
Online Fitness Class Library
Throughout the year, our instructors have provided online videos to keep your brain and body active, including some of our regular fitness classes with familiar faces. You can find them posted on our YouTube channel. Check them out, share them with friends, and leave us a like! You can even subscribe to receive notifications when we post new content.
Project Provide: Free Masks for Seniors
Thanks to all of our amazing sewing volunteers, we have a large supply of cloth face masks on hand. We'd love to get them into the hands of area seniors who need them. Because of our current supply, we have enough to give an additional mask to anyone who has previously received one and would like to request an additional mask! Please share with friends! Click here to find out how to volunteer to sew, make a financial contribution, or request your mask.
Urbandale Senior Recreation Center | 515-278-3907