The Bemidji  Senior Center will be closed until further notice beginning Monday, March 16th.  The Bemidji Senior Center recognizes this will be a great inconvenience for those utilizing the Center, but to protect the older adults the Center serves, it is necessary to follow the recommendations given by the MN Department of Health amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Sites Service Suspended Until
Further Notice
As coronavirus (COVID-19) developments change hour by hour,
AARP Foundation is doing its part to flatten the curve of
transmission. A top priority for us is ensuring we are protecting
those most at risk, including our volunteers and taxpayers.
Therefore, we are suspending AARP Foundation Tax-Aide
services at the Bemidji Senior Center beginning March 16 until
further notice.
We will continue to assess whether we can open again this tax
season.

Come join us at the Senior Center every Monday at 12:30pm to enjoy playing Mahjong, a fun tile-based game. If you don’t know how to play, this is a great opportunity to learn.  You can also enjoy putting together a puzzle or just drink coffee and visit with other seniors in the community.

For your listening and dancing pleasure…Classic Country  performs on the second of Wednesday of each month from 1:00-3:00pm at the Bemidji Senior Center located at 216 3rd Street NW, Bemidji.   Come and enjoy your afternoon with us, we hope to see you there!

On Thursday, March 12^th, 2020 at 12:30PM at the Bemidji Senior Center located at 216 3^rd St NW the Beltrami-Bemidji TRIAD will have a session titled “Outsmart the Scammers” presented by Katherine Monkman, a Financial Advisor from Edward Jones.

Incidents of fraud are on the rise and scammers’ tactics are becoming more complex.  This presentation will help give attendees the information they need to Outsmart the Scammers.  During the program, we’ll discuss how to spot certain red flags that may indicate a fraudulent encounter, resources individuals can turn to in the event they or a loved one are targeted, and steps attendees can take now to help protect themselves and loved ones.

TRIAD’s goal is to promote relationships with seniors as older Americans represent the most rapidly growing segment of the population; one in every eight Americans is age 65 or older. Seniors are less likely to be connected through social media and immediate electronic technologies, therefore decreasing their awareness of crime trends and personal safety. TRIAD also gives seniors an opportunity to interact with law enforcement and public safety to allow their concerns to be heard and addressed.

Everyone is welcome to attend the Beltrami-Bemidji TRIAD meeting.

The Bemidji Senior Center’s monthly Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser is Saturday, March 14^th from 8:00 A.M. to 10:30 A.M.  The “Best Pancakes in Town” are just $5 for adults and $2.50 for children. The meal includes juice, coffee and two sausages in addition to the pancakes. The Senior Creations Gift Shop will also be open.

 

 

Chair yoga is offered at the Bemidji Senior Center every Friday at 9:00 a.m. in the dining room.  The first Friday of each month, the class is led by a local, experienced yoga instructor.  All other Fridays, the group follows along to a chair yoga DVD.  There is no cost to attend any of the chair yoga classes.  The low impact class is designed to improve flexibility and is adapted to individual needs.

The Bemidji Senior Center will be hosting a presentation titled “60 Years of Adventure” by local author Dave Quam.  The presentation will feature stories from his book detailing his adventures in the forest fire patrol and more on Wednesday, March 4^th at 1:00pm at the Bemidji Senior Center located at 216 3^rd St NW, Bemidji.  Quam has donated copies of his book, 60 Years of Adventure, to the Bemidji Senior Center’s Senior Creations Gift Shop.  All proceeds from his book sold in the Gift Shop will go to the Bemidji Senior Center.

Tax preparation assistance for people over 60 or for anyone with a moderate

income begins Monday, February 3 at the Senior Center in Bemidji. Tax counselors

will be available from 9:15 to 2:30 on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays from February 3

to Monday, April 13. During this time, clients will be seen on a first come first served

basis.

 

Clients need to bring photo ID, social security cards for all individuals on the

return including dependents, copies of all forms of income including tax exempt income,

information on health insurance coverage and last year’s tax return. Both husband and

wife need to be present if possible to efile a joint return. If applying for a renter’s credit,

the certificate of rent paid (CRP) is also needed.

 

Individuals wanting to only file a rent rebate are encouraged to wait until March.

MN does not process property tax/rental rebates until August.

 

This free service is provided by the Senior Center, AARP, IRS, and MN Dept of

Revenue. For further information, please call the Senior Center at 751-8836.

Silver Stretchers meet twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:00am at the Bemidji Senior Center. This exercise program helps our members stay active all year and maintain flexibility and range of motion.  Come and check it out!