Rancho Bernardo senior center gets new name, expanded focus

The Ed Brown Senior Center at Rancho Bernardo has a new name, one that reflects its expanded focus.

The center’s board voted at its April 29 meeting to rename the all-volunteer-run nonprofit organization the Ed Brown Center for Active Adults. The group is having a “soft opening,” with tentative plans to do some sort of celebration perhaps early next year, said board President Lynn Wolsey.

“This is a name we think better represents who we are,” Wolsey said. “We are not your average senior center, where people sit and play pinochle. We’re very active and have recreational classes that would be of a lot of interest to younger people.

“We have chair yoga and an arthritis and balance class for our more fragile population, but we also have Zumba and are starting circuit boot camp this week, where they spend a minute-and-a-half at each station,” she said. “It is an intense exercise program that people of any age can benefit from (by taking) the class.

“We’re a center for active adults, anyone who wants to stay healthy,” Wolsey said. “I’m not anticipating 18 year olds coming in, but those in their 30s, 40s or 50s would not feel out of place here.”

In March, center officials announced their plans to transform the center in Rancho Bernardo Community Park into a community center so it could be a regional resource. The board is able to take the center into this new direction due to a relaxation of city policy that previously had firm restrictions on the age group it could serve since the not-city-funded center is located within a city-owned building in the city park, Wolsey said.

The city’s restrictions almost forced it to close in 2011 since enforcing city rules caused the center, operating since 1989, to lose some of its limited funding sources. But the community rallied behind the center and after an internal reorganization, volunteer recruitment drive and restructured dues, it has managed to stay solvent.

“The city does not give us a nickel, but Councilman Kersey has been generous by providing tables, a storage shed and office equipment,” Wolsey said. “But in terms of day-to-day operation, we’re on our own.”

She said the center has a new “gung-ho” marketing person who will be approaching area businesses in the near future to recruit financial sponsors. The board’s ultimate goal is to do away with the $100 per year Class Pass (one of the steps it took to remain viable a few years ago) and perhaps lower the annual dues, which are $60 per person or $100 for two people in the same household. One Class Pass is good for those with a dual membership.

Wolsey said the board is “very excited” about the new direction the center is taking for its 300-plus members and said the new activities, some of which are designed to be intergenerational, are a positive step.

The new programs include:

• Boomer Zoomer Boot Camp, a circuit-style exercise program led by Terri Brownless at 8:30 a.m. each Thursday. Free to members.

• Beats, Buckets and Boomwhackers, a free rhythm class at 5 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays from June 15 to July 2 in conjunction with the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra. Free and all materials provided.

• Fiddle Fun, a series of free beginner level violin classes. They are at 4:15 p.m. (Level 1) and 4:45 p.m. (Level 2 - some experience) on Mondays and Wednesdays from July 13 to 29. Participants need a violin, music stand and music book.

• Summer Pops Orchestra, for beginner to intermediate string players, at 5:15 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays for three weeks this summer. Cost: $85 plus instrument.

Recent or revised programs include:

• Tappercize, at 3:30 p.m. every Monday. No experience or tap shoes needed. Class Pass required.

• Ukulele classes, resuming at 1 p.m. each Thursday with a new instructor, Ken Lukasik. Free to members.

• Playreaders Theatre is looking for new members to join its 2:30 p.m. rehearsals each Thursday. For details, contact Ron Horn at 858-672-1875.

Ongoing offerings include:

• Bingo, 1 p.m. each Friday. Cost: $12 per person. Refreshments and cash prizes available.

• Singles Club, activities schedule and locations vary. Call Phil Corey at 858-673-4538 for details.

• Computer tutoring, by appointment. Free.

There are also art classes, card games, fitness activities, a knitting group, dance lessons and legal consultations. Fees vary, some are free to members or require a Class Pass.

There are also several special events held throughout the year. For example, there will be a free Senior Health and Fitness Day Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 27.

The center’s office is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays. The Ed Brown Center is at 18402 W. Bernardo Drive in Rancho Bernardo Community Park. For more information, call 858-487-9324 or go to edbrowncenter.org.