Seniors in brief

| The New Mexican

6/14/2008 - 6/15/08

AARP wants to hear from you

Residents in the Santa Fe area are invited to attend a special AARP Day to discuss health-care reform and financial security, including pensions and keeping finances safe from identity theft, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Courtyard Marriott, 3347 Cerrillos Road.

A recent AARP survey indicates that Americans believe that health care and long-term financial security are the most pressing domestic issues facing our country. AARP will discuss how the health-care plans being considered in Washington may impact New Mexicans, the importance of shoring up finances for a secure future, and protecting your money from identity thieves. The event is free.

Celebrate the Senior Olympics

Seniors are invited to the Division of Senior Services Summer Barbecue, including an arts and crafts fair, a dance and the 30th anniversary celebration of the Santa Fe Senior Olympics. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 20 at the newly redesigned Alto Park, behind the Mary Esther Gonzales Senior Center, 1121 Alto St. The band Camino Oscuro will play from noon to 3 p.m. Suggested donation for lunch is $1.50 for seniors 60+ and a fee of $5.40 for non-seniors. Senior Olympics polo shirts from past years, excluding the 2008 polo shirt, will be selling for a mere $2. Proceeds will buy new equipment and to provide scholarships for local and state games.

Free guitar classes being offered

There are free and welcoming guitar classes offered for seniors at 9 a.m. Mondays at the Mary Esther Gonzales Senior Center, 1121 Alto St.; and 9 a.m. Wednesdays at the Luisa Senior Center at 1522 Luisa St. All levels of experience are welcome.

Monthly potluck at Villa Consuelo

The Villa Consuelo Senior Center at 1200 Camino Consuelo will host its monthly potluck from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesday. The menu includes chile rellenos with green chile sauce, beans, calabacitas, green chile stew, salad, Jell-O, cake, punch and other goodies. Seniors may bring a dish or pay $1.50.

AARP Defensive Driving Classes

Sign up for AARP's 55 Alive Defensive Driving classes. These mini-courses meet for two half-days (from to 5 p.m.) to go over safety tips for seniors on the road. New Mexico insurance companies give discounts to individuals age 55 or over who take the course. You must attend both days to complete the course and obtain a certificate and you must renew your certificate every three years to keep the discount. The fee is $10 to cover materials and classes meet at various locations in Santa Fe. To register, call AARP volunteer class instructor and coordinator Mike Kelly at 471-9253. To learn about upcoming classes in Santa Fe, go to aarp.org/drive and enter your ZIP code.