We are excited to bring you Senior Planet, in partnership with AARP. This program is made possible through sponsorships and grants by DMEA/ELEVATE, as well as NEXT50. This program is designed to help seniors thrive in today’s digital world by providing opportunities to learn new skills, stay connected, and enjoy a vibrant community. With Senior Planet, you can join engaging in-person and online classes. Whether you’re looking for smartphone tips, password safety, photo organizing, or laptop basics, we have you covered! Senior Planet will help you use technology to manage your finances and medical care. It will also help you use technology to build meaningful connections, through online book clubs, exercise classes, genealogy discussions, and much more from the comfort of your home. We will start out with a Kick Off Party to gauge participant interest. Our first course will focus on Computer Essentials, and more classes will be rolled out soon. Class schedules will be posted on montroserec.com and can be emailed to you—just reach out to Liz at liz@montroserec.com or 970-252-4884 for details. Fee assistance is available so no one is turned away for lack of funds, and all equipment is provided. Join us to learn, connect, and make the best use of digital technology.

Session 14 - Introduction to Estate Planning Tools

In this lecture, you'll learn about common estate plan documents and discover free or low-cost resources and digital tools to help you get started.

• Days: Monday
• Dates: July 14
• Time: 9:00 am - 10:30 am
• Fee: $5 * Fee assistance available
• Registration Code: 50+SP-14
• Location - Montrose Pavilion Senior Center

Session 15- Free Streaming with TUBI

Tubi is a free streaming service with thousands of movies and TV shows. In this hands-on workshop, you'll learn to sign up, search for, and save content.

• Days: Wednesday   
• Dates: July 16
• Time: 9:00 am - 10:30 am
• Fee: $5 * Fee assistance available
• Registration Code: 50+SP-15
• Location - Montrose Pavilion Senior Center

Session 16 - Using Fact Checking Sites

This interactive workshop teaches how to identify misinformation online, with hands-on practice using fact-checking sites to debunk false news.

• Days: Wednesday   
• Dates: July 16
• Time: 9:00 am - 10:30 am
• Fee: $5 * Fee assistance available
• Registration Code: 50+SP-16
• Location - Montrose Pavilion Senior Center

Session 17 - Google Maps

Google Maps offers satellite imagery, street maps, street view, and route planning for walking, driving, biking, or public transport.

• Days: Wednesday   
• Dates: July 16
• Time: 9:00 am - 10:30 am
• Fee: $5 * Fee assistance available
• Registration Code: 50+SP-17
• Location - Montrose Pavilion Senior Center

Session 18 - IPad Essentials Course

This 4-week course covers the basics of using the Apple iPad, navigating the internet, and sending/receiving email. By the end, you'll have a solid foundation for using an iPad and the internet.

Prerequisite: A Gmail address. This course is ideal for those with some internet experience.

• Days: Wednesday   
• Dates: July 16
• Time: 9:00 am - 10:30 am
• Fee: $5 * Fee assistance available
• Registration Code: 50+SP-18
• Location - Montrose Pavilion Senior Center

Using Google Drive

If you have a Gmail address, you have access to free cloud storage through Google Drive! With this cloud storage service, you can store many types of files and access them from any device with an internet connection. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll create and upload folders to Drive and organize your files within folders. We’ll also go over sharing folders with others. Prerequisites: You must have a Gmail address and be somewhat comfortable navigating the internet. Bring your Gmail username and password and be ready to sign in during the workshop.

Day: Wednesday

Date: Sept. 10

Time: 9:00 am – 10:30

Fee: $5

Registration Code: 50+SPF – 01

Location: Montrose Pavilion Senior Center

Practicing with Google Docs

Whatever your word processing needs, Google Docs can help! This 2-session series will give you plenty of hands on practice using Google Docs, a free alternative to Microsoft Word. You’ll learn to use grammar and spellcheck, download your documents in Word and PDF format, use Docs to collaborate with others, and more! Prerequisites: You must have a Gmail address to take this series. For help signing up for Gmail, call the Senior Planet Tech Hotline: 888-713-3495. This series is best suited for participants who are comfortable performing internet searches and filling out forms online.

Day: Monday/Wednesday

Date: Sept. 15, 17

Time: 9:00 am – 10:30

Fee: $10

Registration Code: 50+SPF – 02

Location: Montrose Pavilion Senior Center

Gmail Tips and Tricks

Go beyond sending and receiving with this hands-on workshop about Gmail features! This workshop will cover important features like spellcheck, formatting emails, searching your inbox, adding a signature, and attaching files. The session will combine demonstration and hands on practice, so that you’ll have plenty of opportunities to ask questions and try out these features. Please note that this session will not go over how to sign up for a Gmail address. Prerequisites: You must have a Gmail address and should be comfortable sending and receiving emails. Bring your Gmail username and password and be ready to sign in during the workshop/

Day: Monday

Date: Sept. 22

Time: 9:00 am – 10:30

Fee: $5

Registration Code: 50+SPF – 03

Location: Montrose Pavilion Senior Center

Podcasts at a Glance

Podcasts are an increasingly popular form of entertainment and a great source of information on all kinds of topics. In this lecture, you'll learn more about these audio programs available on the internet: why people listen to them, where you can find them, and what the most popular ones are.

Day: Wednesday

Date: Sept. 24

Time: 9:00 am – 10:30

Fee: $5

Registration Code: 50+SPF – 04

Location: Montrose Pavilion Senior Center

Mindfulness Apps

Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present and aware. You can practice mindfulness through simple activities. This lecture introduces mindfulness and its physical and mental benefits, such as reducing anxiety, improving memory, and lowering blood pressure. You’ll learn about popular apps that teach breathing and meditation techniques, as well as new technology like wearable breath monitors and smart yoga mats.

Day: Wednesday

Date: Oct 8

Time: 9:00 am – 10:30

Fee: $5

Registration Code: 50+SPF –05

Location: Montrose Pavilion Senior Center

Tech Tips for Saving Money

Curious about how tech can save you money? Sign up for this series that meets twice per week over five weeks. You will explore money saving tips for everyday purchases, entertainment, prescription medication, and more. Lectures and hands-on workshops will also cover important tips for shopping online and keeping your personal information secure. Prerequisites: Participants should be comfortable navigating the internet and have an email address that they use.

Day: Monday/Wednesday

Date: Oct 20- Nov 19

Time: 9:00 am – 10:30

Fee: $50

Registration Code: 50+SPF – 06

Location: Montrose Pavilion Senior Center

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This is a free Education/Performance series with a jar for voluntary donations to help support Senior Center Activities. Donations are not required.  Call Liz at 970-252-4884 to reserve a seat. All ages are welcome to attend these presentations.

• Dates: Mondays
• Times: 1:00 pm (unless otherwise indicated)
• Location: Senior Center, 1800 Pavilion Drive

Brain Integration Rewiring

Monday, July 14 @ 1:00 pm

Brain Integration Therapy is a non-invasive, evidence-based therapy that aims to improve brain function and coordination by engaging the body’s natural movements and sensory systems. It can be used to improve learning ability, creativity and physical coordination.

Presenter: Yolanda Del Hierro – Brain Integration Rewiring Specialist

Why Your Stories Matter: The Power of Passing Down Your Legacy

Monday, July 28 @ 1:00 pm

Our stories shape history, identity, and wisdom. This presentation explores the profound impact of sharing personal experiences with younger generations, preserving culture, strengthening connections, and inspiring future storytellers.

Presenter: Laura Padgett – Author, Speaker, Dancer and Podcaster

A Glimpse into London’s Kew Gardens.

Friday - August 8 - 10:30 am

Hear about some of the work being done at Kew’s Royal Botanical Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Georgia Timpson – Visiting Horticulture student

Senior Planet – Sneak Peak

Monday, August 18 @ 1:00 pm

Senior Planet – “Aging with Attitude” – take a look at new classes being offered for the Fall. Find out how this new exciting program, brought to you by the MRD and AARP, can open up the world of technology and its advantages. Light Refreshments will be served,

Presenter – Liz Gracesun, Instructor and Active Adults Coordinator for the Montrose Recreation District.

Bitcoin – Origins and Ethos

Monday, September 15 @ 1:00 pm

This is a course for lifelong learners (with no prior technical background) to explore how Bitcoin came to be and the philosophy behind it.

For those intrigued by the subject of Bitcoin and crypto currency, this course will explain how it all began.

Presenter – Tom Sawyer – Retired software technologist, executive, inventor and author.

Advance Directives by Colorado Legal Services

Monday, September 29 @ 1:00 pm

This educational presentation by Colorado Legal Services provides essential information about advance directives, including living wills and medical durable powers of attorney, helping individuals make informed decisions about their future healthcare. Attendees will learn how to complete these documents legally and ensure their wishes are respected in case they become unable to communicate.

Presenter – Andrea Rosenberry – Colorado Legal Services

Medicare Open Enrollment

Monday, October 6 @ 1:00 pm

This educational presentation on Colorado Medicare Open Enrollment offers a comprehensive overview of the annual enrollment period, which runs from October 15 to December 7. Participants will learn how to review and compare Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Prescription Drug (Part D) plans to ensure their coverage meets their health needs for the upcoming year.

Presenter – Doug Speedy – Region 10

Artificial Intelligence (AI): An Introduction

Monday. October 20 @ 1:00 pm

Artificial intelligence (AI) is an area of computer science that emphasizes the creation of intelligent machines that work and react like humans. This class provides an overview of AI, its history and development, current state and usages, and future scenarios.

Presenter – Tom Sawyer - – Retired software technologist, executive, inventor and author.

Putting your Garden to Sleep for the Winter

Monday, October 27 @ 1:00 pm

This educational presentation covers essential techniques for preparing your garden for winter, including soil care, plant protection, and tool maintenance. Participants will learn practical steps to ensure a healthy, productive garden come spring.

Presenter – Karen Swan

Bureau of Land Management – Uncompahgre Field Office

Monday, November 3 @ 1:00 pm

The Uncompahgre Field Office (UFO) manages nearly 680,000 acres of public land in BLM Colorado's Southwest District, including four river systems—the Gunnison, San Miguel, Dolores, and Uncompahgre—as well as over 910,000 sub-surface acres of federal minerals. The topography ranges from lowland riparian along the Dolores River (at around 4,700 feet) to red rock desert to a moonscape of highly erodible Mancos Shale badlands to the piñon-juniper woodlands of the Uncompahgre Plateau.

Presenter – Caroline – BLM Officer

Renters Rights

Monday, November 17 @ 1:00 pm

This educational presentation by Colorado Legal Services gives renters a clear, practical overview of tenant rights under Colorado law—covering leases, security deposits, repairs, eviction protections, and recent “just-cause” legislation. Participants will also learn how and when to seek legal help, with guidance on working with resources like Colorado Legal Services and local tenant advocacy groups to prevent and resolve housing issues

Presenter – Lindsey Watson – Colorado Legal Services

 The purpose of Newcomers & Neighbors is to help you learn more about your hometown and the area and to meet other newcomers and neighbors! Neighbors are former newcomers who enjoy the meetings and getting acquainted with new people.

• Meetings: First Wednesday monthly – September through May with a guest speaker from 10 – 11:30 am
• Location: Senior Center 1800 Pavilion Drive
• Field Trips - Third Wednesday monthly to areas of interest – 10:00 am followed by lunch
• Questions? Contact Char Proctor 970-417-4236

Bring your smartphone and your questions. This is a student-led discussion. We will discuss and experiment with a variety of features on your smartphone. We will schedule sessions around instructor, Marc Hitchcox’s availability.

• Call Liz at 970-252-4884 to register.
• Location: Senior Center
• Fee: free