April Events & Info

We are pleased to present the following information on events by, for and of interest to older residents. All events are listed on our website at www.somatwotownsforallages.org

The April/May issue of the SOMA Two Towns for All Ages newsletter is in the mail! You can also see it on our website at www.somatwotownsforallages.org/publications
 
Check out Sing for Hope’s calendar of performance and classes here: https://www.singforhope.org/hap/soma2towns/
 
If you haven’t already done so, take the COVID Senior Survey
As things begin to return to “normal” we would like to hear from our older residents about how you are faring and your comfort level in returning to activities. To help us plan for the year to come, please take a survey that asks about you, your experience under COVID and your comfort level and plans about re-engaging with events and activities. Just click here:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/28JGGYP
 
Participants will be entered into a raffle to win $25 gift cards to local grocery stores.  
 
South Orange Residents Only: If you used the senior bus service before COVID, or are interested in using it when it resumes, please take this short questionnaire to help us plan how to resume this service:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YDQD2QD
 
New Support Group with SOMA Social Worker, Carol Berman, MSW, LSW starting April 15!
Coping with loss? Want to better understand the grief that accompanies loss?
Join our SOMA Grieving and Loss Support Group and find a warm and accepting community to connect with. Together we will help each other find comfort through our journey. Every other Thursday at 4pm beginning April 15.  Meet through Zoom on
April 15, 29, May 13, 27, June 10, 24. After June, the group will decide how often we meet and whether it can be done in person.
Zoom link:  https://zoom.us/j/99344956772?pwd=MFJ1ZDNoYmg3U3h1MHNaamd1RmpIdz09
 
Meeting ID: 993 4495 6772; Passcode: 781506 
Brought to you by SOMA Two Towns for All ages, JFS and St. George's Episcopal Church

Events:

Saturday, April 3
Author Talk with Paul Auster, 2pm

• The legendary author and Columbia High School alum will discuss  his most recent novel, “4 3 2 1,” with SOPL librarian and fellow author Laura Sims (“Looker”).
• Join through the events page at www.SOPL.org

 Monday, April 5
The Hidden Life of Flowers, Maplewood Garden Club, 7:30pm

• Writer and editor Teri Chace will explain why flowers look and behave the way they do, why certain plants are placed in specific families, how flowers attract pollinators, and how pollination works. She will also share breathtaking photographs and entertaining anecdotes from her bestselling title, Seeing Flowers: Discover the Hidden Life of Flowers.
• http://maplewoodgardenclub.org

 Tuesday, April 6
Hot Topics and Cool Conversations, 4pm

• Join social worker Carol Berman each Tuesday to talk about today’s world and how you are feeling about it all.
• Join by clicking:https://zoom.us/j/95175471880?pwd=bkM1a0dGdVZ3c3VpRnozSlNkcEJpUT09  or go to Zoom Meeting ID: 951 7547 1880, Passcode: 666853 

 Thursday, April 8
Classic & Contemporary Bookclub, Maplewood Library online, 7pm

• Our April title is “The Sound and the Fury” by William Faulkner, the tragedy of the Compson family features some of the most memorable characters in literature.
• Pre-registration required https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEsdumupzsuGtfQwKvSS2IhTQ8XOrOzvurx

 SHU Slavic Club, 6:30pm

• Join the Slavic Club for "Slavic Club Got Talent" with music, dancing pierogi lessons and more.
• Join in and follow the group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/slavicclub

 Friday, April 9
Special Conversations with Special People, Online with SOPL, 1pm

• Guest Speaker: Karen Gevirtz, Author and Professor of English at Seton Hall University
• Topic: War for Drugs: Men, Women, and the History of Medicine
• www.sopl.org/events/

 Saturday, April 10
Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, SOPAC online, 7:30pm

• Bridging the grace of Asian elegance and American dynamism, the Company is a premier provider of innovative cultural experiences that reflect the hope and energy of the immigrant’s journey. Their productions bring forth issues of identity, authenticity, and equality.
• $10, free for SOPAC members at www.SOPACnow.org

 Monday, April 12
Film Discussion Group, South Orange library online, 7pm

• This month we're discussing the film “I Capture the Castle,” available to stream on Kanopy with a library card.
• Click here to join https://www.sopl.org/event/film-discussion-group-virtual-3/
• Any questions? Contact film group moderator Nancy Janow at njanow@sopl.org.

 Tuesday, April 13
Hot Topics and Cool Conversations, 4pm

• Join social worker Carol Berman each Tuesday to talk about today’s world and how you are feeling about it all.
• Join by clicking: https://zoom.us/j/95175471880?pwd=bkM1a0dGdVZ3c3VpRnozSlNkcEJpUT09
• or go to Zoom  Meeting ID: 951 7547 1880, Passcode: 666853 

 Wednesday, April 14
Kelly Hall-Tompkins, Q&A, SOPAC online, 3pm

• Seton Hall University’s Classical Concert Series is pleased to present violin soloist Kelly Hall-Tompkins, acclaimed by the New York Times as "the versatile violinist who makes the music come alive.”
• Free with pre-registration at www.SOPACnow.org

 Operation Blue Angel, via Zoom,  7pm

• Join us by zoom or by phone to learn about this program for older residents offered by the Community Police Depts.  Operation Blue Angel allows first responders access to your house in an emergency.
• Click here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83449532062?pwd=cHNQRndKYzRNUWFnRmtSRzVHQUZ6QT09
• Or open Zoom on your device and enter Meeting ID: 834 4953 2062, Passcode: 813712

 Read Around the World: Thailand, Maplewood Library online, 7pm

• Our April title is Bangkok Wakes to Rain by Pitchaya Sudbanthad
• A missionary doctor pines for his native New England even as he succumbs to the vibrant chaos of nineteenth-century Siam. Lives collide and converge, linked by the forces making and remaking the ever-morphing capital itself.
• Register here https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/events-library-events-calendar/2021/4/14/read-around-the-world-thailand

 Thursday, April 15
Kelly Hall-Tompkins, violin concert,SOPAC online, 7:30pm

• Seton Hall University’s Classical Concert Series is pleased to present violin soloist entrepreneur Kelly Hall-Tompkins.
• Free with pre-registration at www.SOPACnow.org

 Coffee with a Cop, outside Maplewood Senior Center, 106 Burnett Ave, 10 am, weather permitting 

Friday, April 16
Special Conversations with Special People, Online with SOPL, 1pm

• Guest Speaker: Andy Lehren, Investigative Reporter for NBC News
• Topic: Current Investigation
• www.sopl.org/events/

 The Magic Flute, Outdoor Location: west side yard at The Woodland, 60 Woodland Road, 7pm

• Opera lovers enjoy specially curated digital-stream performances!.
• Admission: Free with advanced registration through Rec Desk https://maplewood.recdesk.com/Community/Program (Under General)

 Sunday, April 18
Remember and Tell - SOMA Interfaith Holocaust Service, virtual, 4pm

• Join in honoring survivors by listening to their harrowing stories and remembering those who perished in the Holocaust. Listen to clergy of all faiths as they recite prayers and messages of unity and hope.
• https://www.rememberandtell.org/2021.html

 Monday, April 19
Poetry Readings With Sonya Kimble-Ellis, Maplewood Library online, 7pm

• A reading by nationally-published writer and poet Sonya Kimble-Ellis, who will share new poems that reflect present-day topics as well as pieces from her book.
• With featured writers Anthony Lafond, Isabell Villacis, and JESPY House client Ruth Coughlin. These presenters share their life experience through the lens of living with disabilities.
• Register here:  https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwvcu-tpzgiHdc8KSC-jAUQV8ybKU6ytuNL

 Tuesday, April 20
Hot Topics and Cool Conversations, 4pm

• Join social worker Carol Berman each Tuesday to talk about today’s world and how you are feeling about it all.
• Join by clicking:  https://zoom.us/j/95175471880?pwd=bkM1a0dGdVZ3c3VpRnozSlNkcEJpUT09
• or go to Zoom  Meeting ID: 951 7547 1880, Passcode: 666853 

 Wednesday, April 21
Cohousing Webinar, online, 10am  also available Thursday, April 22 at 7pm

• Architect Lynn Gaffney and Certified Cohousing Facilitator Patricia Jacobs will lead this webinar to introduce cohousing and explore the design and development process, group formation and organization, and dynamics of group interaction.  At the conclusion of the webinar, next steps will be offered for interested participants.
• Register in advance for this meeting at www.somatwotownsforallages.org/events or click here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUsfuipqz8oGt0fSKYRtYhBWQhfepI2t6AW    After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. 

Virtual Trivia Night!  SOPAC, 7:30pm

• Test your knowledge with Gamemaster Alicia! Virtual Trivia Nights are informal competitions to see who has the greatest knowledge of general, holiday and seasonal trivia. Costumes, fun hats, decorations or special, virtual Zoom backgrounds are encouraged!
• free with registration at www.SOPACnow.org

 Thursday, April 22
Makers Mayhem, Outdoors at SOPL, 11am – 4pm

• Outdoor Activities for Absolutely Everyone!
• Join us for a day filled with mayhem…all programs will take place outside.
• Rain date: Friday, April 23

 Cohousing Webinar, 7pm via Zoom

• Architect Lynn Gaffney and Certified Cohousing Facilitator Patricia Jacobs will lead this webinar to introduce cohousing and explore the design and development process, group formation and organization, and dynamics of group interaction.  At the conclusion of the webinar, next steps will be offered for interested participants.
• Register in advance for this meeting at www.somatwotownsforallages.org/events or click here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZModeChrTwiGdJpdPMnDOo3Gn2WlO33MfwY
• After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

 Friday, April 23
Special Conversations with Special People, Online with SOPL, 1pm

• Guest Speaker: Amanda Leigh-Cobb, Audiobook Producer/Narrator
• Topic: Everything You Wanted to Know About Audiobooks
• www.sopl.org/events/

 Monday, April 26
Book Discussion Group, SOPL online,7pm

• This month we're discussing “Homegoing,” by Yaa Gyasi.
•  Register at www.SOPL.org
• Any questions? Contact book group moderator Nancy Janow at njanow@sopl.org.

 Tuesday, April 27
Hot Topics and Cool Conversations, 4pm

• Join social worker Carol Berman each Tuesday to talk about today’s world and how you are feeling about it all.
• Join by clicking: https://zoom.us/j/95175471880?pwd=bkM1a0dGdVZ3c3VpRnozSlNkcEJpUT09
• or go to Zoom  Meeting ID: 951 7547 1880, Passcode: 666853 

 Lionel Hampton Big Band, SOAPC online, 7pm

• Presented by the Seton Hall University Arts Council, Jazz ‘n the Hall returns by  popular demand. The spirit and the energy with which the band performs every selection is incredibly exciting and uplifting! Come and be transformed!
• Free with registration at www.SOPACnow.org

 Wednesday, April 28
SOMA on the Move, Yale corner, 10:30-11:30am

• Spring is finally here!  After a long, cold winter it's time to get out, get exercise and some fresh air.  Physical Therapists from South Mountain rehab will show you how to stretch out and loosen your muscles with giveaways, reflective gear and copies of the SOMA on the Move walking maps.  You can enjoy the mapped walks on your own or with a group of friends - with masks, appropriate spacing and COVID safety in mind - or get advice on proper stretching to help you exercise better.  
• Meet at Yale corner (Yale & Springfield Ave) to enjoy the Springfield Avenue Murals any time  between 10:30 & 11:30am

 Thursday, April 29
Let's Talk About Clutter! 4pm

• A mini-workshop on how to deal with the many types of clutter. Get practical tips and insights. Presented by Curated Spaces. We specialize in organizing, downsizing and preparing for moving.
• Join on Zoom Meeting ID: 880 1554 1162; Passcode: 194096
• Or listening in by phone at (646) 558 8656

 Friday, April 30
Special Conversations with Special People, Online with SOPL, 1pm

• Guest Speaker: Matt Glass, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Eventage (Event Production Company)
• Topic: Producing Events During a Global Pandemic
• www.sopl.org/events/

 Saturday May 1
Repair Café! South Orange Skate House, 1-4pm
We are thrilled to announce that Repair Cafe goes on!  Adapted to be COVID-safe, our next Repair Cafe will be held outdoors and all repairs will be done outside with scheduled time slots to avoid crowding. To schedule your repair, call (973) 558-0863 or email SOMA2towns@gmail.com and let us know what needs to be fixed.  We will tell you what time to join us at the Skate House