Seniors Take On B-i-n-g-o

Every Tuesday and Thursday, between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m., a throng of senior citizens arrive at the Agoura Hills Recreation Center to play bingo.

Part of the center's weekly activities, the bingo program is free to senior members but cards cost 50 cents,  according to Xochitl Castillo, community services coordinator at the center. Castillo has been working the senior program for three years. 

"It is a popular event at the center," said Cynthia Polich, administrative secretary.

Each meeting consists of 12 people sitting around a long table while 11-year-old volunteer Alex Lebowitz calls out the numbers.

Bingo is a game of chance played with randomly drawn numbers on five-by-five matrices.  Players compete against each other for the prize or jackpot. And in this version of the game, the winner who calls out "Bingo!" chooses from donated home goods--for example, paper towel rolls, snacks and confectioneries.

Like any sport, there are always the standout players. But it is all in good fun for these bingo regulars.