Are you a BIPOC adult age 55 or better living in Archuleta County eager to pursue further education? Here’s your chance.
Archuleta Seniors Inc. (ASI), in coordination with the Spanish Fiesta Committee, is delighted to announce a $1,000 educational grant available exclusively for these adult learners in our community.
The grant aims to support individuals seeking to enhance their skills, pursue new career paths or simply satisfy their thirst for knowledge. Whether you aspire to enroll in a vocational program, attend workshops or pursue a degree, this grant can provide the financial boost you need to turn your educational dreams into reality.
ASI and members of our local Spanish Fiesta Committee believe that education is a lifelong journey and it’s never too late to invest in oneself. This grant is designed to remove financial barriers and empower adults in our community to pursue their educational goals.
To be eligible for the grant, applicants must meet the following criteria:
• Reside in Archuleta County.
• Be 55 years of age or older.
• Be Black, Indigenous or a person of color.
• Demonstrate a commitment to furthering their education.
• Submit a compelling application outlining their educational goals and how the grant will be utilized.
Applications are now open and will be accepted until March 20. A scholarship selection committee composed of community leaders will review all applications and select the most deserving candidates.
ASI encourages all motivated BIPOC, 55-and-older adults in Archuleta County to take advantage of this opportunity. Whether you’re looking to advance your career, explore new interests or simply expand your horizons, this grant can be the catalyst for your educational journey.
Don’t let financial constraints hold you back from pursuing your dreams. Apply for the $1,000 educational grant today and take a significant step toward a brighter future.
For more information and to access the application form, contact the ASI office at (9700 264-2167 or stop by the office at 451 Hot Springs Blvd.
Healthy aging yoga therapy class series
This winter, a healthy aging yoga series will be offered as a hybrid class at the Pagosa Senior Center on Mondays from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Classes will be structured by therapeutic yoga tools and techniques with chair movement, standing stretches, gentle postures, breathing practices and reflective meditative moments.
Monthly themes for the series will include topics such as sustainable strength for healthy aging individuals, brain health, heart and cardiovascular health, mental and emotional well-being, community connections, and stress management, to name a few.
Classes will be educational for participants to utilize practices in daily life and are meant for all levels of experience with yoga.
The class is hosted by local yoga therapist AJ Connors, with a hybrid focus for the winter months, blending in-person, online and, occasionally, recorded classes. Zoom sessions will be streamed at the Senior Center to provide the community experience to practice together or can be accessed at home if weather is a factor.
Mats and chairs will be provided at the Senior Center; some blocks and Therabands are available, too. The addition of yoga props is always welcomed.
We are requesting that individuals who are new to joining the series arrive early for intake inquiries and to please communicate with AJ directly by emailing ajconnorslove@gmail.com.
Bingo
The Senior Center will be hosting bingo twice a month on Friday afternoons from 1:15 to 2:30 p.m.
Bingo will be on Feb. 9 and Feb. 23.
The price to participate is free and we ask you bring yourself and a friend for joyful fellowship. We will provide prizes from local businesses for all winners and snacks will also be provided.
No RSVP is required; just show up. All ages are welcome, but we ask those 18 and younger to come with an adult chaperone.
For more information, contact us at (970) 264-2167.
T’ai Chi Chih
The Senior Center will be offering T’ai Chi Chih with accredited instructor Patti Popovich each Thursday from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., in the dining hall to support older adults who want to discover purpose and fulfillment in this transitional phase of life.
T’ai Chi Chih is not a martial art, but rather a tool for self-healing. Softness, flow and effortlessness are the guiding principles in this practice.
All classes will be free for older adults (age 60 and better) and will last approximately one hour in the dining hall.
No special clothing or equipment is required for either class.
For more information, call (970) 264-2167.
Senior Conversations
Join us Mondays at 1:15 p.m. for a series of “Senior Conversations” with local Bill Salmansohn.
He will lead the group through mindfulness exercises and discussion of various topics pertaining to aging in Archuleta County. Explore and discover for yourself answers to your questions and concerns.
The meeting will be held in the Senior Center in the dining hall. Snacks will be provided.
Share lunch Monday through Thursday
Join us at the Silver Fox’s Den, aka the Community Cafe, in person for daily hot/cold meals Mondays through Thursdays at the Community Center between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. It is open to all. Pickup is available all week, including Fridays.
Our dining hall is open to all ages and welcomes you all with kindness and warmth. We provide hot/cold meals for anyone in the community interested in a nutritious and delicious meal. For those 60 or older we request a suggested donation of $10, but no one will be turned away. There is a $10.50 charge for guests under the age of 60.
Meals include a main course, side dish, fruit/dessert, garden salad plus beverage. Some popular menu items include Frito chili pie, pork tenderloin with harvest chutney, Singaporean pork ribs, vegetarian lasagna, Hawaiian shrimp with coconut rice and always a beautiful green salad. Many of our items are locally sourced and organic.
Our chef works with a team of local food professionals to hand-prepare your meal for dine-in service in our cozy dining room (with an amazing view of the San Juans) or for takeout (via our convenient drive-through). Our menu changes daily.
To reserve your meal for the day, please make your reservation via text or phone call to (970) 264-2167 by 9 a.m. weekdays.
Community Cafe menu
Thursday, Feb. 1 — Thai chicken with peanut sauce with snap peas, brown and wild rice, garden salad, mango coconut bread pudding and milk.
Friday, Feb. 2 — Potato leek soup with ciabatta bread, cottage cheese, fruit, garden salad and milk.
Monday, Feb. 5 — Crunchy hot honey chicken, asparagus hollandaise, garden salad, fruit, blueberry muffin and milk.
Tuesday, Feb. 6 — Pork tenderloin with harvest chutney, mashed potatoes, dinner roll, garden salad, fruit and milk.
Wednesday, Feb. 7 — Eggplant Parmigiana, wilted spinach and onions, garlic bread, garden salad, vanilla yogurt, fruit and milk.
Thursday, Feb. 8 — Cod Veracruz, brown rice with quinoa, roasted cauliflower, garden salad, fruit, lemon bar and milk.
Friday, Feb. 9 — Philly cheesesteak sandwich on hoagie roll with peppers, onions and provolone, garden salad, fruit, chocolate brownie and milk.
Text reservations
Don’t forget that we offer a convenient texting service for you to communicate with us. Text us at (970) 264-2167. When texting, please include your name, phone number and the days you want a meal. If you are canceling a reservation, please include your name, phone number and the days you want to cancel.
Texting services are available for dine-in meal reservations, Grab-n-Go meals and Meals on Wheels recipients.
Supporting ASI
Please support our ongoing operations and programming that provide critical services to some of the most vulnerable in Archuleta County.
You may mail your donation to P.O. Box 3444, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 or please visit our website, http://www.psseniors.org/ (donation button). Donation checks can be written to: Archuleta Seniors Inc. We are located at 451 Hot Springs Blvd. For more information about Archuleta Seniors Inc., please visit http://www.psseniors.org/.
