Murrieta senior center highlights yearbook effort, health fair and 20th anniversary

Recreation Coordinator Joseph Baker gave the Parks and Recreation Commission an update on programs at Murrieta’s senior center, highlighting recent events and services aimed at keeping older residents engaged and connected.

Baker said the center held its third annual Senior Picture Day in August and is working toward an annual yearbook. He noted the center’s 20th‑anniversary ribbon cutting and sock hop drew about 115 attendees and featured a ukulele performance and period‑themed activities. “We had about a 115 attendants, so it was a really really good turnout,” Baker said.

Looking ahead, Baker detailed a planned health and resource fair with screenings (blood pressure, vision and hearing tests) and participating medical volunteers, plus raffle activity at each table. He described the center’s hot lunch program—staff reported about 70–80 people eat daily—and a Feeding America mobile pantry that distributes one box per household on the fourth Tuesday of each month. He also reviewed free no‑cost activities (embroidery, ukulele, painting, tech support) and paid instructor classes such as expanded chair exercise and Tai Chi.

Commissioners asked about pricing and participation; Baker explained several class fees and prorated pricing (example: yoga priced at an equivalent of $7 per class) and said the center records both check‑ins and membership scans—"we have membership badges that they come in when they come in, they scan in"—which staff use to estimate monthly reach. He estimated the center sees thousands of touchpoints per month across programs.

The commission praised staff for the anniversary event and encouraged continued outreach. Baker left a packet of program information with commissioners and invited them to contact staff with follow‑up questions. The presentation concluded with commissioners thanking the senior center staff for their work.