Here is a sampling of a few of the cultural and recreational
opportunities available to Chicago-area seniors. (Given the number of programs in operation, it would be impossible to list them all.)
Determining who is a senior citizen is almost as difficult as keeping up with the group`s most active members. Sixty-five is the magic number as far as the federal government is concerned, but eligibility for other programs can begin much earlier. Age parameters are indicated whenever possible.
In addition to the activities listed below, myriad support services are available for seniors. These range from refresher courses in driver education to financial advice and help in coping with illness or disability. For further information, contact the individual agencies.
TTD numbers for the hearing impaired and directors or other contacts at the various centers are listed when available.
General resources
Chicago Department on Aging and Disability (DAD)
Main office: 510 N. Peshtigo Ct.; 744-8176, (TDD) 744-6474.
Southwest region: 6117 S. Kedzie Ave.; 476-8700, (TDD) 744-0323.
Southeast region: Atlas Center, 1767 E. 79th St.; 731-5523, (TDD)
744-0322.
Central/west region: 2102 W. Ogden Ave.; 226-2525, (TDD) 744-0319.
Northwest region: Copernicus Center, 3160 N. Milwaukee Ave.; 744-6681,
(TDD) 744-0321.
Northeast region: Levy Center, 2019 W. Lawrence Ave.; 878-3564, (TDD)
744-0320.
The city of Chicago`s Department on Aging and Disability (DAD) operates five regional centers offering a multiplicity of programs. Possibilities include everything from arts and crafts classes to exercise classes and day-long sightseeing trips.
Hot lunches are served at most centers, as well as at more than 90 other locations throughout the city. Participants in the Golden Diners Club are asked to contribute whatever they can to help defray the cost of the meal. Most sites operate Monday through Friday, but a few serve on weekends. Please call the department`s main office for a complete list of locations.
To be eligible for city programs, an individual must be at least 60 years old.
Catholic Charities Senior Centers
Ada S. Niles Senior Center, 6412 S. Halsted St.; 874-2400.
DeSales Senior Center, 10160 Avenue J; 768-2850.
St. Joseph Senior Center, 7240 W. 57th St., Summit; 708-458-0501.
South Suburban Senior Activities Center, 15300 S. Lexington St., Harvey;
708-596-2222.
Catholic Charities Senior Centers offer recreational, educational and cultural activities for individuals of all faiths who are 55-plus. Day and overnight trips, dances and sporting events are an integral part of the program. Some of the centers also serve hot lunches on weekdays.
(For Lake County centers, call 708-249-3500. For all other areas outside Cook and Lake Counties, call your local diocese office.)
The Center for Older Adults; Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St.; 787-4570 (Jan Strong, director).
Although there are no specific age requirements for the Fourth Presbyterian Church`s Center for Older Adults, most participants are 65 or older. The program is ecumenical and attracts a broad cross-section of the population. Activities include day trips; a walking group; exercise sessions; and classes in language, current events and the fine arts.
Senior Centers of Metropolitan Chicago
Green Center, 501 W. Surf St.; 525-2135.
Conrad Center, 2717 N. Leavitt St.; 248-1093 (Madeline Armbrust, director).
Senior Centers of Metropolitan Chicago, a Hull House affiliate, offer educational, craft, social and cultural programs. The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) utilizes the varied skills of 1,450 individuals who are 60 and older.
Operation PUSH, 930 E. 50th St.; 373-3366 (Donnie Haire and Doris Worthington).
Operation PUSH sponsors a variety of day trips in addition to providing support services. Breakfast and dinner are served on Saturdays.
Bernard Horwich Jewish Community Center; Adult/Mature Adult Department, 3003 W. Touhy Ave.; 761-9100 (Carol Verson, director).
To be eligible for the Bernard Horwich Jewish Community Center`s Mature Adult division, an individual must be at least 62. Multifaceted, the program includes classes in psychology, current events, Jewish studies, exercise, acting, creative writing, crafts and folk dance. Day trips, overnighters and weeklong trips also are offered. Members of all faiths can participate. A hot kosher lunch is served weekdays through the auspices of the Council for Jewish Elderly.
Berwyn Cicero Council on Aging, 5817 Cermak Rd., Cicero; 708-863-3552
(Beverly Aaltonen, director).
The Berwyn Cicero Council on Aging`s activities include day trips, luncheons, dances, card tournaments and classes in ballroom dancing, painting, crafts, foreign languages, tap dancing, woodworking and aerobics. Hot lunches are served weekdays at 11:30 a.m. All programs are designed for area residents who are 60-plus.
Maine Township Senior Citizens; Maine Township Town Hall, 1700 Ballard Rd., Park Ridge; 708-297-2510 (Sue Neuschel, director).
In addition to its program for residents who are 65-plus, Maine Township sponsors an Options 55 division for people who are 55 to 65. The latter program concentrates on weekend or evening activities because most of the participants are still working. Day trips, theater outings, craft classes and luncheons followed by entertainment make up the bulk of the programming for seniors.
Southwest Suburban Center on Aging, 111 W. Harris Ave., La Grange;
708-354-1323 (Declan Sheedy, director).
The Southwest Suburban Center on Aging serves residents of Lyons, Riverside and South Proviso Township who are over 60. Activities include special-interest groups such as oil painting, square dancing, Hawaiian dancing, bridge, stamp collecting, group singing and ballroom dancing; day trips; craft classes; and on-site movies. Hot lunches funded through the Older Americans Act are served weekdays at 11:40 a.m.
North Shore Senior Center, 620 Lincoln Ave., Winnetka; 708-446-8750 (Pat Taylor, director).
Designed for residents 50 or over, the North Shore Senior Center offers a multiplicity of activities including craft classes, language lessons, book groups, day trips, bridge, bowling, tennis, curling and golf. Special-interest groups explore financial matters, mythology, philosophy, computers and the local restaurant scene.
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)-Area 5, 2720 Des Plaines Ave., Des Plaines; 708-298-2852.
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is a national group that provides a broad range of services and benefits. The organization also serves as an advocate for older adults on the local and national levels. As an adjunct to the basic service program, members are entitled to a variety of discounts and participation in a wide array of group or independent travel opportunities. Participants must be 50.
Museums
Most museums offer discounts or special deals for seniors. Among them:
Chicago Historical Society, 1601 N. Clark St.; 642-4600. A $1 reduction from the regular $3 charge for persons over 65. (The museum is free to everyone on Mondays.)
Art Institute of Chicago, Michigan Avenue at Adams Street; 443-3680. Beginning in October, the museum is offering a special, multifaceted program for grandparents and their grandchildren on the first Sunday of each month. Call for specific dates, time and content. The suggested reduced admission rate for persons 65-plus is $3. (The Art Institute is free to everyone on Tuesdays.)
Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Dr.; 684-1414. There is no general admission charge. However, people over 65 can benefit from reduced prices on special fee exhibits such as the Omnimax Theater ($3.25), the U505 submarine ($2), the Coal Mine ($1.25) and the Space Shuttle Experience ($1.25).
Du Sable Museum of African American History, 740 E. 56th Pl.; 947-0600. Admission is $1 for those over 65.
Spertus Museum of Judaica, 618 S. Michigan Ave.; 922-9012. Admission is $2 for those over 65. For special senior citizen tours, contact Kathi Lieb at the museum.
Theater
Some theaters use volunteer ushers, many of them seniors. Once the performance begins, the ushers are invited to stay and see the performance gratis.
In addition, many theaters in the Chicago area offer discounts to seniors. The cutoff age varies, so be sure you check it out in advance. Hot Tix does not, however, provide additional discounts to seniors.
For specific information, contact the individual theater or write or call the League of Chicago Theatres, 67 E. Madison St., Suite 2116, Chicago, Ill. 60603 (977-1730). The monthly Theatre Chicago Guide is available free at several locations. There is a $1 fee if it is ordered through the mail.
But seniors don`t have to limit themselves to the audience; they also can get into the act.
The Acting Up! theater company in Des Plaines is composed of men and women 60 to 79. It was created in 1977 and uses music, humor and drama to dispel the myths of aging.
Next week, the company will have company at its performance space at Oakton Community College.
Sixtysomething, an all-female group, will make its debut performance on Thursday in ”Many Shades of Gray,” a show that explores the role of the
”sixty-something” woman in today`s society.
Both groups are available for bookings.
Acting Up!/Sixtysomething; Oakton Community College, 1600 E. Golf Rd., Des Plaines; 708-635-1414 (Joyce Stern Greenberg, artistic director). For tickets to ”Many Shades of Gray,” call 708-635-1900. The first performances is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Thursday. Additional performances are planned for Oct. 5-7; call for times. All performances take place in the Performing Arts Center at Oakton Community College.
Education
Many local colleges and universities provide tuition discounts to seniors. For specific information, call the individual schools. In addition, some places, like the following, offer courses designed specifically for seniors.
Older Adult Service and Information System; Lord & Taylor, lower level Northbrook Court, 1455 Lake-Cook Rd., Northbrook; 708-498-2500, ext. 377 (Joan Proell, director). Sponsored by Lord & Taylor, Highland Park Hospital and the North Shore Senior Center, the program consists of a wide range of activities and classes designed for people over 60. Sessions on exercise, Japanese ink painting, investments, computers, freelance writing, music and literature are among the fall offerings. Day trips, including a bike trip through the North Shore, are also offered.
Emeritus College; Moraine Valley Community College, Ridgeland Center, 6201 W. 115th St., Worth; 708-371-3975 (Norine Fitzpatrick, director). Literally a ”school within a school,” Emeritus College has courses in art, crafts, computers, personal investment, fitness, cooking, geneology, bridge and writing for people over 50. Special seminars and tours are also available. Older Adult Institute; College of Du Page, 22nd and Lambert Road, Glen Ellyn; 708-858-2800, ext. 2700 (Marget Hamilton, manager). Created in 1986 for those over 55, the Older Adult Institute provides a variety of educational opportunities for seniors interested in literature, films, current events, language, writing, religion, exercise and finance. Although the program`s home base is at the Glen Ellyn campus, classes are also offered at 21 regional centers.
Elderhostel, 80 Boylston St., Suite 400, Boston, Mass. 02116;
617-426-9389. Nearly 20 Illinois colleges and universities sponsor summer Elderhostel programs. Course offerings vary, but students-all over 60-live on campus for the duration of the session. Elderhostel programs in other parts of the country and in many foreign countries also are available. Check with the national office for additional information and catalogs.
Hotels
Again, the name of the game is discounts. The rules vary, and the following examples are intended to serve simply as a starting point.
Hilton Senior HHonors; Service Center, P.O. Box 50279, Dallas, Texas 75250-0279; 214-239-0511. Designed for those over 60, the program offers discounts of up to 50 percent off the usual room rate. For example, the Chicago Hilton and Towers, 720 S. Michigan Ave. (922-4400), charges members $70 for a room in the main house, approximately half of the regular rate. Participants may acquire a second room at the same rate as long as the occupants are their own children or grandchildren.
Benefits also include dining discounts. At the Chicago Hilton and Towers, members receive a 20 percent discount on food and beverages in either Buckingham`s Steak and Seafood Restaurant or the Pavilion Restaurant, even if they`re not staying in the hotel. This discount is applicable for up to two people and does not include alcohol. Seniors must show their Senior HHonors Card to qualify. The annual domestic membership fee (including Alaska and Hawaii) is $25, the annual worldwide fee is $50, and the lifetime worldwide fee is $150.
Hyatt Hotels Corp.; 800-233-1234. Seniors over 62 are eligible for a 25 percent discount on all regular room rates. This special rate must be requested at the time the reservation is made. For example, the $99 room at the Hyatt Lincolnwood, 4500 W. Touhy Ave., Lincolnwood (708-677-1234), would rent for $74; the Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 E. Wacker Dr. (565-1234), would bill seniors $151 (single or double) for its regular $201 (single) or $226
(double) room. Rates are based on availability.
Dining
Freed from a rigid work schedule, seniors are frequently able to take advantage of the reduced price Early Bird dinners served at many local restaurants. Seniors should also be on the lookout for special discounts, some of them available throughout the day. Once again, the following list presents just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Check with individual restaurants for additional savings opportunities.
Jean Claude, 2442 N. Clark St.; 525-1800. From 4 to 6 p.m. seven days a week, the restaurant offers special, three-course meals for $10.95. Guests have a choice of three appetizers, three entrees and three desserts.
L`Escargot on Halsted, 2925 N. Halsted St.; 525-5522. A four-course dinner ($16.50) is available from 5 to 6:15 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Entree possibilities include fresh grilled fish of the day, omelette Bretonne with crabmeat and lobster sauce, a vegetarian plate, pasta and a daily special.
Ann Sather, 929 W. Belmont Ave.; 348-2378; also at 5207 N. Clark St.;
271-6677; and at 1329 E. 57th Street; 947-9323. Seniors 65-plus receive a 15 percent discount throughout the day. Alcoholic beverages are not included.
Village Smithy, 368 Park Ave., Glencoe; 708-835-0220. The restaurant serves a three-course meal for $10.95 from 5 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 4 to 6 p.m. Sundays. Entrees include butt steak, a half slab of barbecued ribs, baked chicken, rainbow trout and spinach-ricotta lasagna.
Phil Smidt`s, 1205 N. Calumet Ave., Hammond, Ind.; 768-6686 or 219-659-0025. Guests seated between 2 and 5 p.m. receive a 10 percent discount on their food and beverage tab. You must be over 60 to qualify.
Shaw`s Blue Crab, 660 Lake-Cook Rd., Deerfield; 708-948-1020. Priced at $9.50, the three-course Early Bird includes entree options such as blackened fish, planked Lake Superior whitefish, sea scallops, rainbow trout and grilled chicken breast. The meal is available from 5 to 6 p.m. weekdays and from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sundays.
Tessy`s and T.J. Peppercorn`s, Hyatt Lincolnwood Hotel, 4500 W. Touhy Ave., Lincolnwood; 708-677-1234. Both restaurants offer seniors a 10 percent discount throughout the day. This discount applies only to food.
