Enhance your balance skills
Lara Malone is coming to The Center of Anna Maria Island for a balance workshop on Wednesday, Jan. 25. The class takes place from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will focus on muscles and body alignment for stable and confident movement. The class is open to all ages with a cost of $35 for members or $45 for non-members to participate. Registration by calling 941-778-1908 or using The Center’s Member Me+ app is required by Jan. 19.
Help clean local beaches
All members of the Anna Maria Island community are invited to come out to The Center Saturday, Jan. 14 to help clean up area beaches. Participants in the cleanup will gather at The Center at 9 a.m. and walk together to the Gulf of Mexico to pick up litter and other trash from Magnolia to White Avenue. The nonprofit’s staff will provide trashbags, gloves, water and a light snack. Additional cleanups are scheduled from 9-11 a.m. on Feb. 11, March 11, April 1 and May 6. No advance registration is necessary.
Play bingo at The Center
Everyone is invited to come out to The Center of Anna Maria Island Friday, Jan. 13 to meet new friends and have fun playing bingo. The classic game will be played from 6-8 p.m. with players competing to win gift cards from local restaurants. Bingo cards are 10 for $10 and blotters are $1 each. Beer, wine and other refreshments will be available for purchase with a donation. The Center is at 407 Magnolia Ave. in Anna Maria.
Bishop hosts an Island workshop series
A new kind of workshop is coming this spring to The Center as The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature hosts a new series for children, families and adults. The series kicks off with a discussion on “What is a Museum” on Jan. 18 from 6-7 p.m. for children and families and Jan. 19 from 10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m. for adults. Future workshops for adults include “The Scientific Process” Feb. 2, “Paleontology and Fossils” Feb. 16, “Manatees and Their Environment” March 2, “Our Solar System” March 23, “Capturing Science” March 30, “How We Build” April 6 and “Florida’s Native Wildlife and Adaptations” April 20. Workshops for children and families include “Manatees and Their Environment” Feb. 1, “The Scientific Process” Feb. 15, “Our Solar System” March 1, “Paleontology and Fossils” March 22, “Capturing Science” April 5, “How We Build” April 19 and “Florida’s Native Wildlife and Adaptation” May 3. No registration is required and the programs are all free to the community. The Center is located at 407 Magnolia Ave. in Anna Maria.
Learn to play canasta
For anyone who’s ever wanted to learn to play canasta, a new six-week class is coming to The Center of Anna Maria Island. Every Tuesday, Jan. 17 through Feb. 21, players will gather from 12:30-2:30 p.m. to learn American canasta. Opponents will be placed into foursomes and split into two teams to try their hand at the classic card game. The cost is $90 for members or $100 for non-members to participate. Registration is requested by Thursday, Jan. 12 by calling 941-778-1908.
Learn to play American mah-jongg
The Center of Anna Maria Island will be host to a new gaming series where participants will learn how to play the ancient game of mah-jongg Classes take place on Tuesdays, Jan. 17-Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. until noon. All students are required to attend the introductory session on Jan. 17 to participate in additional classes. The cost to attend is $100 per member or $110 for non-members. Registration is requested by Thursday, Jan. 12 by calling 941-778-1908.
Center hosts holiday day camp
To honor the contributions of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and help parents who might not have the day off, The Center’s staff is hosting a day camp for youth on Monday, Jan. 16 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. During this camp, students will participate in a community service project, cleaning the sand at Coquina Beach, followed by a picnic lunch. Campers also will make a craft inspired by King and participate in an educational program about his life and its impact on the nation. The cost is $55 per child and registration is required by Jan. 12. Parents can register their children online at www.centerami.org or by calling 941-778-1908.
Travel with Senior Adventures
Go on an adventure or two this month with Senior Adventures. The group is planning a trip on Thursday, Jan. 19 to the Siesta Key Rum Distillery followed by a lunch at the Siesta Key Oyster Bar. The van leaves The Center of Anna Maria Island for this trip at 9 a.m. with a return planned around 2 p.m. The second January trip is planned to travel to St. Armand’s Circle on Thursday, Jan. 26 to shop and have dinner at the Columbia Restaurant. The group plans to depart from The Center at 3:30 p.m., returning around 9 p.m. The fee for van transportation for each trip is $5 and trips are limited to 14 people. Pre-registration is advised but not required. To reserve your spot, call The Center at 941-778-1908.
Practice adaptive yoga for Parkinson’s
Movement and exercise may help mitigate some of the effects of Parkinson’s disease and The Center is hosting an adaptive yoga class to help those in the community suffering from neuromuscular conditions. The class is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 26 from 1-2 p.m. and is open to the community. Registration by calling 941-778-1908 is requested by Thursday, Jan. 19.