Adults & Seniors
Social connection is a crucial component of health and well-being at any age, but especially as we get older. For retirees, it is important to replace the social connections of work with new friendships, new interests and new opportunities to make a positive difference. The fun part is, we get to decide what those connections will be!
Ongoing Classes
Workshops
Clubs & Groups
Spring Adult Programming Schedule
Sellwood Community House offers dynamic programming for adults that fosters creativity, encourages social connection and supports mental and physical health.
Enjoy longtime favorite classes like Creative Club and Tai Chi, and all new offerings including process art workshops, Supper Clubs, and more!
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Spring Adult Programming
❁ Spring Adult Programming
Ongoing Classes
Exercise for EveryBody
M/W/F | 9–10 am | $3 | Gym
Keep the body strong all summer long in this all-level exercise class, the longest running class at SCH! Whether you’re new to exercise or a longtime fitness enthusiast, this class has a place for you, and is a great place to form new community connections and friendships.
Alignment Based Yoga for Healthy Aging
Dates: January 7-March 20, and April 1-June 5
Tuesdays & thursdays | 9–10 am | $18/ DROP-IN or $80 for a 5-class punch pass | Gym
Keep your body nimble and strong in this all-levels, safe-for-aging yoga class led by an expert instructor.
Tai Chi
Dates: January 9-March 20, and April 3-June 5
Please note: There will be no class on April 10
Thursdays | 1:30-2:30 Pm | $18 or $80 for a 5-class punch card/ DROP-IN | Gym
Tai Chi for Health is an introductory class for both beginners and anyone returning to Tai Chi after taking a break. This class practices the Yang style, short form, which consists of 24 forms. Tai Chi helps us all with balance and slow breathing, feeling calm and strong in our bodies. Come join us and find out how joyful movement can be!
Creative Club
Dates: January 8-March 19, and April 2-June 4
Wednesdays | 10:15 AM-12 pm | $10/DROP-IN or $40 for a 5-class punch card | meeting room
Explore your creative self in this fun, engaging, low-stress weekly series led by local artists and storytellers!
Please note, the first Wednesday of each month will be devoted to Story Sharing, where each person gets an uninterrupted five minutes to share their tale.
March Creative Club: Repetition in Design
Starting with 4 equal sized papers, we will create symmetrical designs based on nature or geometric shapes. Color will be added with oil pastels, paint, or colored pencils. The pages will be rearranged until the surface is fully covered and then each artist can decide how the final product will be put together. Lots of possibilities and surprises can be found in this process as we explore the elements of design. Instructor Marybeth Giraci.
March’s Story Sharing Topic: Stories about transformation and rebirth to celebrate early spring
April Creative Club: Shibori Tie Dye Techniques
For the first two sessions we'll explore three different techniques for binding our cotton material and t-shirts. Focus will be on Stitched shibori, Honeycomb and Arashi (pole binding). The third session we'll use an indigo dye vat to dip our projects. Pick up projects for the big reveal on 4/30 and stay for puppet making. Bring your own cotton items or pay a nominal materials fee.
Puppet Making Workshop: Use some of our shibori created material to fashion bird or fish puppets for use in Sellwood’s second annual "Everything Under the Sun" parade on Saturday, June 14. Facilitator Kate Duffly
April’s Story Sharing: StoryCorps Workshop
As a natural extension of our story sharing activity we are conducting a StoryCorps Workshop to learn how to record our stories and share them with a wider community audience.
Workshops
Plant & Seed Swap
Friday, April 25 | 6:30-8:30 PM | FREE/register here | SCH meeting room
Are you a plant enthusiast looking to expand your collection or share your bounty? Bring your extra seeds, rooted cuttings, or potted plants and swap them for something new to add to your garden or home. After you swap, stick around for drinks and desserts available for purchase.
Register for the Plant & Seed Swap
Visible Mending Workshop
Monday, April 28 | 6:30-8:30 PM | $45/register here | SCH meeting room
Discover two unique visible mending techniques to breathe new life into your garments. This workshop will showcase both sashiko and speed loom methods. Feel free to bring any items that need mending, and we’ll supply all other tools and materials.
Introduction to Veggie Gardening
Monday, May 5 | 6:30-8:30 PM | $35/register here | SCH meeting room
Discover two unique visible mending techniques to breathe new life into your garments. This workshop will showcase both sashiko and speed loom methods. Feel free to bring any items that need mending, and we’ll supply all other tools and materials.
Cooking Class: Spring Brunch
Saturday, april 12 | 10:30 am—12:30 PM | $85/Register HEre | SCH Kitchen
Join us for an interactive cooking class led by our favorite resident chef, Terese! This engaging experience will blend demonstration with hands-on participation. You'll discover a wealth of cooking tips and tricks, explore ingredients, and much more. At the end of the class, you'll relax at a beautifully set table to savor the delicious dishes you've created.
Menu:
French-Style Radishes with Cultured Butter and Truffle Salt
Bibb Lettuce with Lemon Vinaigrette
Asparagus Bread Pudding with Emmenthaler Cheese
Cherry Clafouti
Buy Nothing Exchange
Sunday, May 18 | 10 am—1 PM | free/drop-in | gym
Ready to declutter and share with your neighbors? Join us for a Buy Nothing Sale, where everything is free! This isn’t your typical “yard” sale—it's a community event built on the spirit of sharing, sustainability, and kindness.
Arrive anytime between 10 am — 1 pm with items you'd like to donate. Look for signage that categorizes the items and place your donations in the appropriate section. Afterward, feel free to "shop" the sale! Drop by throughout the event to discover newly added items. Any leftover items will be donated. Participation doesn't require a donation, but please bring your own bags or boxes.
If you would like to volunteer for this event, please email amy@sellwoodcommunityhouse.org
“All’s Well That Ends Well” End of Life Planning Workshop
Saturday April 5 | 9:30 am-12:00 pm | Register here with Oregon memorial association | meeting room
SCH is pleased to partner with Oregon Memorial Association to present “All’s Well That Ends Well.” This workshop offers you a chance to make end-of-life plans in a thoughtful and supportive environment. Participants will learn about how to plan, what to consider, and how best to make your wishes known to your loved ones and end-of-life care providers.
There is a $15 workbook fee for OMA members and a $25 workbook fee for nonmembers. OMA lifetime memberships are $50.
You can register for the workshop and purchase a workbook online at www.omaoregon.org/workshops or by calling 503-647-5590. You can also purchase a workbook at the workshop, but please make sure to register beforehand. Please also contact OMA if you are experiencing income insecurity.
Market Basket Weaving Workshop
Monday, March 31 | 6:30-8:30 PM | $115/Register here | SCH
Join us for a hands-on basket weaving class where creativity meets craftsmanship! In this session, you'll learn the traditional techniques of basket weaving using natural materials. Designed for beginner-intermediate level crafters, the class will guide you through the process. Participants will have the opportunity to create a beautiful, functional market basket that you can take home. All materials will be provided, and you’ll leave with your handmade basket and the skills and confidence to create more at home. Baskets measure 5x12" base; 14" tall.
Cooking Class: Asparagus Four Ways
Monday, may 12 | 6:30 pm—8:30 PM | $65/Register HEre | SCH Kitchen
Celebrate one of spring's first vegetables, asparagus, in this interactive cooking class with our beloved resident chef, Terese! This class combines demonstrations with hands-on participation, allowing you to learn a variety of valuable cooking tips and tricks, along with insights about ingredients and more.
Menu:
Simple Roasted asparagus
Roasted asparagus soup with cashew cream
Asparagus, goat cheese, and tarragon tart
Buccatini with shaved asparagus and pea pesto
Cooking Class: Galettes; Two Savory, One Sweet
Monday, may 26 | 6:30 pm—8:30 PM | $65/Register HEre | SCH Kitchen
Who doesn’t love a galette? Whether savory or sweet, why choose just one? Join our resident chef, Terese, in this cooking class where you’ll learn to make galettes in both styles. With a mix of demonstrations and hands-on participation, you'll gain valuable tips and tricks to elevate all your cooking adventures.
Menu:
Aspargus, Mushroom, Leek, and Cheese Galette
Spinach Artichoke Galette with Burrata Cheese
Rhubarb Galette
Clubs & Groups
Supper Club
Sundays | 7-9 pm | $50/Register HEre | SCH
Dates: March 30, April 27, June 1
How It Works:
We supply the main dish, salad, and drinks.
You bring an appetizer, side, or dessert.
If your recipe is unique to you, share it for a chance to be featured in our cookbook, set to be published at the end of the year.
Please finalize your recipe one week in advance. We’ll reach out to gather the details so we can create recipe cards to share.
Book Club
4th thursdays | 6:30-8:30 Pm | FREE/ DROP-IN | meeting room
Join this lively group of readers to discuss each month’s book choice. See the book choices on the SCH calendar.
Dates:
1/23: The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
2/27: Master Slave Husband Wife by Ilon Woo
3/27: The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
4/24: Chances Are by Richard Russo
5/22: Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
6/26: The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
Drop-in Basketball 21+
Tuesdays | 6:15–9 Pm | $10/ DROP-IN or $40 for a 5-session punch card | Gym
Bring your A-game to our gym!
Mah Jongg Nights
Dates: January 16, January 30, February 6, February 20, March 6, March 20
1st, 3rd, and 5th Thursdays | 6:30-8:30 Pm | Free | meeting room
American Mah Jongg, one set provided. Bring your own set. Growing group of players. ALL experience levels welcome, learn with us!
Ukulele Jam (SMURK)
Dates: January 9-March 20
Thursdays | 6:30-8:30 Pm | FREE/ DROP-IN | Lobby
Ukuleles RULE. Come jam with the Sellwood Moreland Ukulele Revival Klub! All levels are welcome.
Analog Social: A Monthly Offline Community Gathering
Monthly on Mondays, starting March 17 | 6:30-9 pm | $12, register Here | SCH
Join us for Analog Social! Take a break from your screens and connect with others in a meaningful way while experiencing the joy of building community the old-fashioned way.
What’s Included This Month:
A complimentary drink (beer or wine)
Free popcorn
Board games sponsored by Cloud Cap
Tarot card readings
Wine Tasting
Watercolor supplies
Typewriters with writing prompts
Sketching and coloring materials
Double Dutch jump ropes
Open basketball in our gym
A selection of books and magazines
Plus, Enjoy These Purchase Options:
Charcuterie boxes
Baked goods
Embroidery kits
Watercolor booklets
Appliqué kits
Basket weaving kits
And more!
Feel free to bring along a book, sketchbook, or your current craft project—whether it’s knitting, crochet, sewing, or anything else you’re working on. We can’t wait to see you there!
Portland Go Meetup
wednesdays | 7:00 pM-9:00 pm | Free, Drop-in | meeting room
Join us for an evening of Go, a strategic 2 player game with lots of theory & philosophy around it. Also known as "baduk" or "the surrounding game." We have a limited supply of boards; if you have one you can easily bring along, please do!
Open to all skill levels, new players encouraged!
Portland Haiku Group
Dates: December 21, January 18 1-3 pm (*note different time in January), February 15, March 15, April 19, May 17
3rd Saturday | 12-2 Pm | $3/ DROP-IN | meeting room
Come together to share haiku and similar short poems, and support each other in the development and appreciation of poetry originating from Japanese culture. Contact Shelley Baker-Gard for more information: sbakergard@msn.com
Let’s Talk: 55+ Discussion Group
once a month on mondays | 10:15–11:45 AM | free | Meeting room
Each Conversations on Aging “Let’s Talk” is an informal, interactive discussion with peers, facilitated by Conversations on Aging volunteers. A different topic is chosen for each month. Presented in partnership with Cascadia Health.
Dates and Topics:
December 16: Resilience: Bouncing Back
January 6: Battling the Blues
February 24: Creating Home as you Age
March 17: Forgetfulness (Where did I leave my glasses?)
April 21: Forgiveness and Reconciliation
May 19: Giving up the Keys
June 9: Learning from Grief and Loss
Dads Play Sports
Thursdays | 8–9 Pm | $3/ DROP-IN | Gym
Join a group of neighborhood dads for rotating sports in the gym!
Cribbage Club
Third wednesdays | 7–9 Pm | $5 suggested donation | sch lobby
Join a group of Cribbage enthusiasts at Sellwood Community House!
All skill levels welcome.
SCH Sketchbook Club
Dates: April 23, May 28
4th Wednesday | 6:30-8:30 Pm | $5 Suggested Donation | SCH Lobby
A monthly gathering of artists (of any level) to meet up and draw in their sketchbooks. Bring your sketchbook & art supplies for a casual, creative sketchbook session, and enjoy connecting and creating with others!
Club Incubator
We ❤️ Clubs! Sellwood Community House is all about bringing people together to meet friends, make friends, and build community. Many clubs have formed under our roof, and we would love to add to that list! If we don’t offer something that sparks your interest, come to us with your ideas and we can help connect you with others who might like to start something new!
Interested in Leading a Class or Club at SCH, or Proposing an Event?
Are you interested in bringing a class or workshop to SCH, either? Tell us more about your idea here!
Interested in more offerings at SCH?
Is there a class you would like to take, or a club you would like to join, that we aren’t offering yet? Please let us know by filling out this class interest form, and thank you for sharing your ideas with SCH!
Need financial support for our Adult & Senior programs?
Apply for our scholarship program!