The Palmer Center at 218A N. Pleasant St. in Independence, MO is operated by the City of Independence and is dedicated to the mission of improving the overall health of 50+ adults. For more information call 325-6200 or visit the website www.independencemo.org/parksandrec. Classes and programs offered in August include:

50+ Day Tours
Independence Parks and Recreation is offering exciting day tours for 50+ adults. Take a glimpse of the past as we explore three nearby historic homes on Thursday, September 27. The Rice Tremonti Home and Aunt Sophies’s Cabin are just some of the history you will experience. Deadline to pre-register is Friday, August 24.

Looking for a Girlfriend’s Lake Get-Away? Join us on Wednesday, September 19 as we enjoy an overnight get-away for gals to Osage Beach, Mo. Trip includes a luncheon lake cruise aboard the Celebration, dinner at the delicious City Grill, spectacular entertainment at the Main Street Opry and time for shopping at the Osage Beach Outlet Mall. We will be staying at the Comfort Inn and will return the following day. Deadline for pre-registration is Wednesday, August 1. Tours depart from The Palmer Center located at 218A N. Pleasant Street in Independence. For more information on this and other tours or to register call 325-6200.

Cell Phone Solutions
Cell phones are great, but can be complicated. Adults 50+ are invited to bring in a cell phone and instruction book and let us help you figure it out. Katie Laitras with the Caring Communities Resource Center will host this program at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 7. For more information call 325-6200. The Palmer Center is located at 218A N. Pleasant Street in Independence.

Health Education and You
Adults 50+ are invited to a free Health Awareness Presentation at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 7. This month’s topic is "Pump Up Your Heart Health." The program is sponsored by the Independence Parks and Recreation and CenterPoint Medical Center. For more information call 325-6200.

Monthly Activities

Book Club
The Palmer Center Book Club will meet monthly at the Truman Memorial Building. Please call 325-6200 for book title, dates and time. The Truman Memorial Building is located at 416 W. Maple in Independence.

Diabetic Foot Screening
St. Mary’s Hospital will provide adults 50+ free diabetic foot screening, blood sugar and blood pressure checks from 10 to 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, August 1. For more information call 325-6200. The Palmer Center is located at 218A N. Pleasant St. in Independence, MO.

5-A-Day Bingo
The Palmer Center will host 5-A-Day Bingo at 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, August 7. Fruits and vegetables are contributed by the HyVee on 23rd Street to use as prizes during this nutrition-education Bingo game. The Palmer Center is located at 218A North Pleasant St. in Independence, MO. This program is free and no pre-registration is required. Questions may be directed to 325-6200.

Blood Pressure Checks
Adults 50+ are invited to The Palmer Center for free blood pressure checks by Dr. Chapman from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 8. The Visiting Nurses Association will provide free blood pressure checks from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 21. The Palmer Center is located at 218A N. Pleasant St. in Independence, MO. Questions may be directed to 325-6200.

White Elephant Bingo
Join friends at The Palmer Center for a game of White Elephant Bingo. Bring a wrapped, white elephant gift to use as a prize at 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, August 30. For more information call 325-6200. The Palmer Center is located at 218A North Pleasant St. in Independence, MO.

Bare Bones Art
Are you creative and have an art project or ideas you would like to share? At 12:30 p.m. each Monday you can gather with other artists – bring your own project, create together and help each other. This program is hosted by volunteers of The Palmer Center. Call 325-6200 for more information. The Palmer Center is located at 218A N. Pleasant Street in Independence.

Learn to Belly Dance
Belly dancing is an enlivening dance that helps tone the body through a low-impact workout. Adults 50+ are invited to join friends on at 2 p.m. on Wednesdays for this fun class. Come prepared for some learning, fun and fitness. The cost is $2 per class and no pre-registration is required. Call 325-6200 for more information. The Palmer Center is located at 218A N. Pleasant Street in Independence.

Crochet 101
Learn some basic crochet stitches or pursue a new hobby with new friends at 10:15 a.m. each Friday beginning August 24. No pre-registration is required. The cost is $1 per class. Call 325-6200 for more information. The Palmer Center is located at 218A N. Pleasant Street in Independence.

PEPPI
Adults 50+ are invited to participate in PEPPI, a nationally-recognized exercise program to work on core strength in order to balance effectively and prevent falls. The class, co-sponsored by Independence Health and Parks and Recreation departments, meets at 10 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at The Palmer Center. The Palmer Center is located at 218A N. Pleasant St. in Independence, MO. Questions may be directed to 325-6200.

TRX Essentials Flexibility Class
Adults 50+ are welcome to try out the new TRX Essentials Flexibility Class from 1 to 1:45 p.m. every Monday. Improve your posture, increase range of motion and build greater stability from head to toe with the Essentials Flexibility workout. This class is designed for those who are fairly active and fit. No pre-registration is required; $3 fee per class. Classes will be held at the Truman Memorial Building, 416 W. Maple in Independence, MO. For more information call 325-6200.

Stretch & Tone
Stretch & Tone is held at 9 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at The Palmer Center. All major muscle groups are worked in this fun exercise class. No pre-registration is required. A $1 fee per class applies. The Palmer Center is located at 218A N. Pleasant St. in Independence, MO. Call 325-6200 for more information.

Wake Up Workout
Wake Up Workout is offered at 9 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at The Palmer Center. This low impact aerobics class for 50+ adults benefits the cardiovascular system. No pre-registration is required. A $2 per class fee applies. The Palmer Center is located at 218A N. Pleasant St. in Independence, MO. Questions may be directed to 325-6200.

Open Line Dancing
Adults 50+ are invited to join the Simple Beginners Instruction Line Dancing Workshop from 11 a.m. to noon and Beginners Line Dancing from 12:05 to 12:25 p.m. every Monday, and Open Line Dancing from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. every Friday at The Palmer Center, located at 218A N. Pleasant St. in Independence. The cost is $1 per person. Call 325-6200 for more information.

Monthly Grief Support Group
The Palmer Center and Crossroads Hospice are offering a monthly grief support group the first and third Wednesday each month at the Truman Memorial Building. Any type of loss will be discussed, whether it’s loss of a loved one, driving abilities, independence, etc.; as well as myths associated with grief. The Truman Memorial Building is located at 416 W. Maple in Independence. For more information call 325-6200.

Sittin’ Fit
Sittin’ Fit is held every Tuesday and Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at The Palmer Center. These gentle chair exercises are beneficial for the beginning, older exerciser. No pre-registrat ion is required and classes are free. For more information call 325-6200. The Palmer Center is located at 218A N. Pleasant St. in Independence, MO.

Gentle Tai Chi
A "Gentle Tai Chi" class is offered at the Palmer Center for 50+ adults at 6 p.m. every Monday. This video class is beneficial to those who are new to Tai Chi. Some exercises will be performed sitting down, while others will be done while standing. Pre-registration is not required and there is no fee to participate. For more information call 325-6200. The Palmer Center is located at 218A N. Pleasant St. in Independence.

ZUMBA GOLD
The Palmer Center is offering ZUMBA GOLD classes for 50+ adults. This class fuses hypnotic Latin and International rhythms with easy-to-follow moves to create a dynamic workout. Classes will be taught by a certified ZUMBA instructor from 10-10:45 a.m. every Wednesday, and are held at the Truman Memorial Building, 416 W. Maple in Independence. The cost is $2 per class and no pre-registration is required. Call 325-6200 for more information.

Afternoon Dances
Afternoon dances are held at 1 p.m. every Wednesday at The Palmer Center. The Ed Smith Band provides music and dancers are encouraged to bring commercially-prepared finger foods. The Palmer Center is located at 218A N. Pleasant St. in Independence, MO. Questions may be directed to 325-6200.

Canasta: Hand in Foot
Adults 50+ are invited to play Canasta at 12:15 p.m. every Wednesday at The Palmer Center, 218A N. Pleasant St. For more information call 325-6200.

Country Music Jam
Bring your musical instrument and play along, or just listen to old-time favorite tunes at 12:15 p.m. every Monday at The Palmer Center, 218A N. Pleasant St. For more information call 325-6200.

Pinochle
Adults 50+ are invited to play Pinochle at 12:30 p.m. on Mondays at The Palmer Center, 218A N. Pleasant St. For more information call 325-6200.

Slimpossibilities
Are you watching your weight? Do you enjoy sharing healthy recipes or looking for creative tips to slim down? We welcome adults 50+ to join in this motivational support group at 11 a.m. each Monday at The Palmer Center, 218A N. Pleasant St. There is no pre-registration required for this free program. For more information call 325-6200.

Pickleball
Adults 50+ are invited to play Pickleball at The Palmer Center from 1–5:30 p.m. each Tuesday and Thursday and from 1–5 p.m. on Saturdays. This exciting competitive game focuses on agility, short placement and strategy, as opposed to power. Beginner lessons are offered by appointment the first and third Thursdays of the month, so come try it – it’s free for all. The Palmer Center is located at 218A N. Pleasant St. in Independence. Call 325-6200 for more information.

Lowery’s Music Magic
Choose your class depending on your skill level. Classes are during a 10-week session each Tuesday; fees range from $19.95 to $39.95. Instructor will be Ryan Gulbranson from Schmitt Music. For more information call 325-6200. The Palmer Center is located at 218A N. Pleasant St. in Independence, MO.

Intermediate Senior Tap Dance
Have you always loved watching a tap dancer? Listen as your feet rhythmically strike the floor to the tunes in this intermediate tap dance class and experience and whole new way to have fun! Please bring your own tap shoes. Pre-registration is required, session fees are $20. Call 325-6200 for session dates and more information. The Palmer Center is located at 218A N. Pleasant St. in Independence, MO.