Senior news

Friday, Aug. 15, 2008

Learn about arthritis

Arthritis is America’s leading crippling disease. There are more than 100 different forms of arthritis, and more than 36 million Americans suffer from some form of the disease.

Researchers have looked into the role diet may play in arthritis. Indeed, there are connections between food and some forms of arthritis, i.e. gout, osteoporosis and Reiter’s Syndrome. No special food causes arthritis and there is no special diet for arthritis. Many diet supplements that have made false claims to cure arthritis; however, there are some things one can do to make living with this condition more tolerable.

Hospital dietitian Joan Robertson will speak about the components of a good diet, making yourself feel better and how to simplify meal preparation on Friday, Aug. 22, at 12:30 p.m., in the Old Bay Cafe.

Compete in Maryland Senior Olympics

The 2008 Maryland Senior Olympics will be held at various sites and venues across the state, Aug. 30 through Nov. 2. To participate, athletes must register in advance for an event. No onsite registration is allowed. Participation in most of the events is open only to Maryland residents aged 50 and older. A Maryland resident is anyone who lives, works or owns property in the state. Once you are a Maryland Senior Olympian, you are always a Maryland Senior Olympian and will be welcome to participate regardless of residency.

The Maryland Senior Olympics mail-in registration is now underway. Go to the Web site, www.mdseniorolympics. org and, at the top of the page, click the link for ‘‘Mail-In Registration is Underway.” This link will take you to the page where you can download and print the Senior Olympics registration brochure.

After completing the registration forms, mail them to: Maryland Senior Olympics, 12900 Middlebrook Road, Germantown, MD 20874.

Events for the Maryland Senior Olympics include archery, badminton, basketball, billards, bowling, cycling, golf, horseshoes, lawn bowling, line dancing, racquetball, running, shuffleboard, softball, swimming, table tennis, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. Call the Office on Aging, 410-535-4606 or 301-855-1170, if you would like to participate. If there is enough interest in a specific category, transportation may be provided to and from the event.

Energy assistance available

The Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) assists eligible individuals and families with a one-time-per-year grant to help pay heating and electric bills.

Eligibility is based on gross monthly income, $1516.65 per individual and $2041.65 per couple. If you applied last year for assistance, you will receive an application in the mail.

Once you receive the application, call or stop by to schedule your appointment. Persons new to the program may schedule appointments beginning Sept. 2. Be prepared to provide the following for every person in the home: proof of all monthly income, a Social Security card, and a photo identification card. You will also need a current heating bill, electric bill, and lease (if renting).

Call 410-535-4606 or 301-855-1170 and ask for Liz Leclair, Ann Newton, or Tunya Taylor for more information.

For individuals younger than the age of 55, call the Tri-County Community Action Committee Inc. at 410-535-1010 or 301-870-3770.

Get involved withthe switch to digital

Due to federal mandates, the last day for television stations to broadcast in analog is Feb. 17, 2009. All over-the-air TV broadcasts will be in digital only after that date.

If you use an outdoor⁄indoor antenna or have ‘‘rabbit ears” on your television, you may lose your television connection as of this date.

If you will be impacted by this change, there are several ways you can prepare. Stop by your local senior center for a flyer with more information.

News from Calvert Pines Senior Center

Fitness room orientations are held the first and third Thursday of each month, 9:30 a.m. The next orientation will be held Thursday, Aug. 21.

Beginning Thursday, Aug. 21, through Oct. 23, the center will be open until 8:30 p.m. Enjoy a variety of activities such as billiards, dinners, and classes.

Grab a friend and enjoy quality time at the Fireplace Lounge Social on Saturday, Aug. 23, at 10 a.m. Play dominoes, chess, Scrabble and myriad of other fun-filled games. Snacks will be served. There is no fee.

Bring your grandchild to celebrate Grandparents Day with ‘‘The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 10 a.m. Stay for a lunch of pizza and salad. The fee is $2.50 for lunch.

CPSC is located at 450 West Dares Beach Road in Prince Frederick.

For more information or to register for any of these programs, call 410-535-4606 or 301-855-1170.

News from North Beach Senior Center

Bring your grandchild or special kid friend for ‘‘Grandkids Day” and enjoy bingo, a family-friendly movie and a kid-pleasing lunch on Saturday, Aug. 16, at 11 a.m.

Enjoy a delicious meal at the Annual Crab Feast on Friday, Aug. 22, at 12:30 p.m. The menu will feature six crabs, coleslaw, dessert, near-beer, soda and tea. The fee is $22. Preregistration and payment is required by Friday, Aug. 15.

Social Service Coordinator Liz Leclair will conduct an informative presentation concerning the Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP). She will talk about how it works and who qualifies for assistance, and answer any questions you may have on Thursday, Aug. 28, at 10:45 a.m.

It’s back-to-school time. Help your grandchild make a special craft for his or her teacher on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 10:30 a.m. Stay for a kid-friendly lunch.

NBSC is located at 9010 Chesapeake Ave. in North Beach. For more information or to register for any of these programs, call North Beach Senior Center, 410-257-2549.

News from Southern Pines Senior Center

Free drawing lessons will be offered at Southern Pines Senior Center on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. Call the center for more information.

Feast on the bay’s bounty at the Annual Crab Feast on Friday, Aug. 22, at 12:30 p.m. The menu will include six blue crabs, corn on the cob, pasta salad, watermelon, iced tea and O’Doul’s non-alcoholic beer. The event is sponsored by the Southern Pines Senior Council. The fee is $22. Reservations must be made in advance.

Calling all Rummikub enthusiasts: Do you think you are the Senior Center Champion? Come and prove your skill and finesse by outsmarting your fellow players on Saturday, Aug. 23. Prizes and refreshments included. The elimination round will start promptly at 11 a.m.

The final round will take place after lunch at 1 p.m. Preregister by Thursday, Aug. 21. This activity is limited to 16 participants!

Calling all women aged 50 and older: attend a presentation on the Red Hat Society on Tuesday, Aug. 26, at 11 a.m. What started as a small group of women looking for fun and fellowship has turned into a national phenomenon with chapters in every State. This is a formula for female bonding that works.

On Saturdays in September, from 11 a.m. to noon, enjoy the creative side of writing with poetry, short stories, and memoirs with Alethea Rudolph. Preregister in the office.

SPSC is located at 20 Appeal Lane in Lusby. For more information or to register for any of these programs, call Southern Pines Senior Center at 410-586-2748.