Programs for Ages 50+

Art Classes

Offered in partnership with Artistry, these classes are led by skilled professionals with subject matter expertise and a commitment to each student's development. No previous art experience required. All materials provided.

Ceramics

Select from an assortment of greenware and bisque to paint or glaze. Open Wednesdays, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Thursdays, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., and Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Fees apply for materials used.

Crafts & Quilting

Share your talents with this group Tuesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Crafts and quilts are made using donated materials. Many of the items are donated to various charities.

Leatherworking

Check out leatherworking and learn to make crafts and works of art out of leather Mondays and Wednesdays, 12:30 – 3 p.m. Tools, leather, and dyes available to use.

Needleworkers

Socialize while creating blankets, scarves and other clothing items Thursdays, 9 – 11:30 a.m. Each year, local charities and schools receive an average 4,000 items are donated from this group.

Rock Shop (Lapidary)

Cut and polish rocks and gemstones into decorative pieces. Training and supplies are provided. There is a $1 fee per visit. Open Tuesdays, 1 – 4 p.m. and Thursdays, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Woodcarvers

Learn the art of woodcarving Wednesdays, 9 – 11 a.m. Carve various items. Participants must provide their own wood.

Woodshop

This fully equipped wood shop is available to those looking to design and work on various projects. Open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 8 – 11 a.m. There is a $1 fee per visit. Participants must pass a proficiency test and wear an ID badge.

Club 500

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 1 – 3:30 p.m. $0.50 to play.
Tournaments held throughout the year on Saturdays, 1:30 p.m. $3 to play.
Lessons (by appointment): the first Monday of even months, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Cribbage

Wednesdays and Thursdays, 12:45 – 3 p.m. $1 to play.
Tournaments held the third Saturday of each month, 1 p.m. $3 to play.

Duplicate Bridge

Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, 12:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. $0.50 to play.
Tournaments held the third Wednesday of each month, 12:15 – 4 p.m. $3 to play.

Social Bridge

Thursdays, 12:15 – 3:15 p.m. $0.50 to play.

Women's Evening Bridge

First Thursday of each month, 6:30 – 10 p.m. $2 to play.
To join, contact Lois at 952-890-3086.

Euchre

Wednesdays, 9 – 11:30 a.m. $0.50 to play.
Tournaments held throughout the year on Saturdays, 12:30 p.m. $2 to play.
Lessons (by appointment): the first Monday of even months, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Hand and Foot Canasta

Mondays, 12:30 – 4 p.m. $1 to play.

Hearts

Hearts tournaments held the first Monday of each month, 12:30 – 3 p.m. $2 to play.
Lessons (by appointment): the first Monday of even months, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Pinochle

Single deck. Mondays, 1 – 4 p.m. $0.50 to play.
Lessons by appointment.

AARP Smart Driver Program

Refresh your driving skills and perhaps qualify for lower insurance rates. Held monthly, daytime and evening, 8-hour initial class and 4-hour refresher courses. Registration required. Fees apply.

• AARP Smart Driver (October – December)
• AARP Smart Driver (January – March) 

Byte Syte Advanced Computer User Group (ACUG)

Experienced computer users meet to discuss various topics and participate in demonstrations the second and fourth Friday of each month, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Library

The Creekside Library has an extensive collection of books and puzzles available for anyone to borrow.

Open Computer Lab

Bring your technology questions to Open Computer Lab Thursdays, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.. $5 for residents and $10 for non-residents per visit.

Poetry Class

Classes are designed to inspire you to create poems the Third Wednesday of each month, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Receive respectful critiques from classmates. For all poetry levels. 

Poetry Contest

The Human Services Division sponsors a poetry contest each year for people ages 50+ and adults with a disability.

Writers Club

Writers of all skill levels welcome. Bring out the best writer in you in whichever genre you prefer. Meets at 1 p.m. the fourth Thursday, January – October and the third Thursday, November – December.

Bloomington Public Health

Clinic Services

Foot Care

Meet with professional foot care nurses Wednesdays, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. to address personal concerns regarding thickened and fungal nails, corns, calluses, bunions, nerve and circulation deficits and other matters. For more information or to make an appointment, contact Happy Feet at 763-560-5136. Fees apply.

Health Insurance Counseling

Schedule an appointment with Senior LinkAge Line at 1-800-333-2433 (Monday – Friday, 8 – 4:30 p.m.), deaf or hard-of-hearing clients may contact the Minnesota Relay at 1-800-627-3529 and ask for the Senior LinkAge Line number.

Health insurance counseling is provided by state-certified health insurance counseling volunteers and is available at no cost. Health insurance counselors assist clients with:

• Understanding the basics of Medicare and Medical Assistance
• Choosing a Medicare supplement
• Choosing a Medicare Part D plan
• Ensuring proper processing of Medicare and medical assistance claims
• Assisting with health insurance forms
• Exploring ways to lower prescription drug costs

Hearing Testing

Get your hearing tested by a Bloomington Public Health nurse by appointment the second Wednesday of even months, 12 – 1 p.m.

The Nurse Is In

Talk with a Bloomington Public Health nurse one Wednesday per month at 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. (call for dates) regarding:

• Fall prevention education
• Medication review
• Blood pressure check
• Active aging
• Understanding lab results
• Education with diagnosis
• Safety
• Healthy living tips
• Assistance
• Contacting your clinic
• Assistance contacting your insurance company
• Resources

Creekside Memorial Trust Fund

The Creekside Senior Memorial Trust Fund, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that assists individuals who desire to create a memorial to someone, living or dead, in the following ways: encouraging donations to fund the memorial, maintaining memorial books and distributing trust funds for the general benefit of the 50+ Program.

Board members review proposals from 50+ Leaders to determine if the request will benefit Creekside programs.

50+ Leaders

Become involved in the planning, developing and implementing of activities and programs for the 50+ Program.

Bone Builders

This class focuses on strengthening muscles and promoting balance and stability. Hand and ankle weights are provided. A medical release form is required prior to joining the class. Space is limited.

• Tuesdays, 6 – 7 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 – 10 a.m.
• Mondays, 1 – 2 p.m. and Wednesdays, 10 – 11 a.m.
• No cost to participate

Chair Yoga

A modified form of yoga, using exercise principles of traditional yoga to increase participant's health and fitness by replacing a floor mat with a chair.

• Fridays, 9 – 10 a.m. and 10 – 11 a.m. 
• 6-week sessions: $30 for the session or $7 drop-in fee for Bloomington residents, $42 for the session or $9 drop-in fee for non-residents.
• Call for session dates

Dakim BrainFitness System

This touch screen computer program gives you a fully personalized workout to maintain brain fitness and slow the effects of cognitive decline. Stop by Creekside Community Center for a quick demonstration, complete an application and begin your personal brain fitness program today.

Gentle Mat Yoga

Learn a gentle form of yoga, how to adapt and accommodate exercises and proper breathing techniques.

• Thursdays, 10 – 11 a.m.
• 6-week sessions: $30 for the session or $7 drop-in fee for Bloomington residents, $42 for the session or $9 drop-in fee for non-residents
• Call for session dates

Line Dancing—Country Kickers

This fun and instructor lead beginner's class will help increase balance and memory while exercising as a group. Free and open to men and women of all dancing abilities.

• Tuesdays, 8 – 8:45 a.m.
• Offered for all age groups.

Low Impact Exercise

Offering a light and moderate way to exercise, this class focuses on balance, low impact aerobics and strength training.

• Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 – 10 a.m.
• No cost to participate

Silver Sneakers® Flex

Cardio and Strength
Improve cardiovascular fitness, as well as maintain or increase bone density, flexibility, range of motion, muscle tone and coordination. Bring your own mat.

• Tuesdays, 9 – 10 a.m.

Strength and Balance
Exercise will be performed while holding onto a chair or sitting in a chair. This class combines light cardio and strength training for individuals who want to improve muscle tone, flexibility, range of motion, balance and coordination.

• Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 – 10 a.m. 

For all Silver Sneakers® Flex classes:

• Space is limited
• Fee may apply

Walking Club

Lace up your sneakers and get moving with the Walking Club. This group meets year-round at various walking paths and trails throughout the City. 

• Tuesdays and Thursdays
• November – April, 8 a.m. (indoors)
• May – October, 7:30 a.m. (outdoors)
• No cost to participate
• Call for specific locations

Music groups are available for performances in Bloomington and the greater metropolitan area.

The Bloomingtones

A mixed choral group who sing a wide variety of music from all eras for pleasure and entertainment. Rehearsals are Fridays, 9:30 a.m. September - May.

Classic Country Music Jam

Join, listen or dance as a group of musicians provide a FREE country concert Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at Creekside Community Center.

Creekside Crickets

This band plays and sings oldies, country, polkas, waltzes, and show tunes at various venues in the area. Welcoming new members of all abilities that have an interest in music. Rehearsals are Thursdays, 9 a.m. September – May.

Bocce Babes

A women’s social group playing bocce ball and other activities such as boat trips, pool parties, farmers markets, and more June – January. For more information, contact Parks and Recreation at 952-563-8877. Fees may apply.

Bocce Ball

Leagues held at Creekside Community Center every Wednesday, 9 – 11 a.m., May through October, weather permitting.

Born Again Jocks

Men’s sports leagues including bocce ball, bowling, tennis, golf, softball, table tennis and volleyball. For more information, contact Parks and Recreation at 952-563-8877. Fees may apply.

Chess

Whether you're new to chess, an advanced player or you want to brush up on your skills, join Richard Laybourn and open up the world of benefits to playing chess the 2nd Wednesday of every month, September through May, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Garden Club

Create and design flower containers and gardens at Creekside Community Center. Donations of plants and gardening tools are accepted and can be picked up by volunteers. Monthly group meetings the 4th Monday of each month, January through October, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Informal games and equipment

Puzzles, card and board games in the library. Bocce ball, shuffleboard, table tennis, and Nintendo Wii (bowling, tennis, and golf) equipment to check out and use at Creekside Community Center.

Nintendo Wii League

Stay active and start a Nintendo Wii league today. Video bowling, tennis, golf, and more. Meets Fridays, 12:30 p.m.

Normandale Lake Flower Club

Plant and maintain flower beds at Normandale Lake every Thursday, 9 – 11 a.m. May through November, weather permitting.

Pool (Billiards) 

Calling ALL pool players! $12 annual membership fee.

• Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Ladies: Thursdays, 1 p.m.
• Tournaments: Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m. and Thursdays, 6 p.m.