Loomis Senior LIFE Center open Tuesdays, Thursdays

Loomis senior Linda Gonzales and her sister have been visiting the Senior LIFE Center of Loomis for almost three years. Gonzales originally wanted to get back into exercising because her doctor recommended it. After looking around, she found the cardio and yoga classes that the Senior LIFE Center offered and took her sister there with her for the first time. "We were welcomed right away," Gonzales said. "This is the best place ever. I've never been to another senior center but you felt the sisterhood, the brotherhood. It's like home." Gonzales grew to enjoy the many exercise, art and craft classes that the center offered and made new friends. She made some table runners and small blankets during sewing and crochet classes on Thursdays. "When you're a senior, sometimes it's depression, it's boredom, but when you're coming here, it's like you have that reason," Gonzales said. Loomis resident Linda Gonzales plays Bingo at the Senior LIFE Center of Loomis on a Tuesday morning. Tara Gnewikow/Gold Country Media The Senior LIFE Center of Loomis opened again Feb. 8 after having to close since Jan. 9. The center also had to close from March 13 in 2020 to July 30 in 2021. During the closures, center volunteers provided food, including more than 2,100 hot meals, to seniors. Volunteers also checked on the nearly 100 seniors on the center's roster through visits, phone calls and texts two to three times a month. Currently, about 40 seniors usually come to the center, said Eileen Elder, the Senior LIFE Center board chair. The Senior LIFE Center currently meets in the Fellowship Hall of the First United Methodist Church of Loomis on 6414 Brace Road in Loomis from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday. The fee each day is $4 to participate in any of the activities and receive breakfast and lunch. Seniors gather to chat and make Easter crafts at the Senior LIFE Center of Loomis located in the Fellowship Hall of the First United Methodist Church of Loomis. Tara Gnewikow/Gold Country Media The lunches are offered by different volunteers, businesses or community groups each day. The local Panera Bread donates some of its uneaten bread to the center as well. The Senior LIFE Center was established in 1978 as an activity of Soroptimist International of Rocklin and Loomis. The center is a non-denominational entity funded through grants, contributions and participant fees. The center is a non-denominational entity funded through grants, contributions and participant fees. The center is funded in part by the Ed and Gerry Avery Memorial Fund and the James and Virginia Benson Memorial Fund of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation. The Senior LIFE Center offers a variety of classes, including cardio, stretchercize, yoga, sewing, art and crafts classes. The center is also looking for a singing teacher to offer classes. Seniors play Bingo at the Senior LIFE Center of Loomis located at the First United Methodist Church of Loomis on 6414 Brace Road. Tara Gnewikow/Gold Country Media Aria Dreifuss, owner of the dance studio Aria's To The Pointe in Rocklin, said she has been teaching fitness classes at the Senior LIFE Center for more than seven years. Dreifuss teaches the classes "Cardio Gold" from 9 to 10 a.m. and "Silver Stretchercize" from 10 to 11 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at the center. Cardio Gold is a low-impact cardio class similar to Zumba with salsa, jazz and hip-hop moves, and Silver Stretchercize combines a mix of seated stretches, gentle resistance training, light cardio and ballet-inspired moves. "After a brief hiatus, I'm thrilled to return to the center every Tuesday and Thursday morning," Dreifuss said. "The Senior LIFE Center offers senior citizens a safe and affordable environment for social interaction, exercise, arts and crafts, singing and delicious meals." Deidre Trudeau teaches art classes at the Senior LIFE Center from about 11 a.m. to noon every other Tuesday. "Art therapy engages the fingers, hands, arms, eyes, breath and mind," Trudeau said. "With time, it is wonderful to see seniors who begin writing, painting or sketching start to feel more nimble and mentally more relaxed even when starting something brand new," Trudeau added. Loomis resident Irene Newby plays Bingo at the Senior LIFE Center of Loomis in the Fellowship Hall of the First United Methodist Church of Loomis. Tara Gnewikow/Gold Country Media Elder said the center is always looking for volunteers to help in the kitchen, visit and play games with seniors and drive some seniors to and from the center. Financial donations are always welcome as well, Elder said. The center is also looking for a golf cart to be donated to help transport seniors to and from the parking lot, especially because there is a hill leading up to the building. Elder said the center also accepts speakers on a variety of topics. Past topics have included technology for seniors and being safe as a senior. Email loomisseniorlife@gmail.com or call 916-660-0543 to volunteer or for more information. Visit loomisseniorlifecenter.com for other information, including class times, schedules and announcements.