Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 23, 1994 TAG: 9402230287
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Joanne Anderson
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
There are bills to establish joint subcommittees to study cemetery practices, the treatment of retirement benefits under the state income tax laws, state policies related to acute- and cancer-pain management, abuse of durable powers of attorney, marketing and financial practices associated with the sale of ``preneed`` funeral contracts and other issues.
Other bills request that the Joint Commission on Health Care study medical malpractice, health-care delivery, operation and administrative practices of certain health insurance companies, benefits and costs of providing tax incentives to encourage Virginians to purchase long-term care insurance and a plethora of other subjects.
There also are bills to develop, reduce, increase, repeal, delete, dissolve, create, provide, change, eliminate, grant and prohibit.
If you would like to study what they're studying, you may receive a copy of the information from the Virginia Department for the Aging, (800) 552-4464. A recorded message on the status of certain bills and resolutions can be heard by calling the Virginia Coalition for the Aging, (800) 296-2580, ext. 6301.
"Getting the Most from Your Long-Term Care Programs" is the topic for discussion on Wednesday March 2, 9-11 a.m. The program will feature Blue Cross and Blue Shield benefits consultant Joyce Dixon. Cost is $5, and place is the Donaldson Brown Hotel and Conference Center, conference room F. Call 231-5183 to register.
The presentation is part of the Wednesday Wonderings series sponsored by the Virginia Tech Center for Active Retirement.
On Tuesday March 15 at 10 a.m., Betty Blakemore, state director of consumer services, will discuss "Fraud Against Seniors." At noon, Nancy Root of Home Health Care Inc. will talk about home health care. The meeting will be held at the Blacksburg Recreation Center on Patrick Henry Drive and is sponsored by the Blacksburg AARP chapter 2613. Participants should bring a brown bag lunch; soda, coffee and tea will be available, and all seniors are invited.
The Blacksburg Retired Citizens group is planning a trip to Charleston and Savannah April 11-15. For details, call Catherine Edwards at 552-2510.
It's not too late to get a silver membership at the Fitness Connection. In honor of February`s American Heart Month, the Fitness Connection is offering individuals 60 and over a total body fitness program developed with senior interests, needs and capabilities in mind.
Cost is $50 plus $22 per month for individual membership and $75 plus $36 per month for family membership. Use of all equipment and facilities is included, along with towel and locker service and access to six different classes.
For more information, call 953-1044.
One of the Elderhostel programs at Radford University still has space and special rates for commuters. Topics for the week of March 20-27 are Appalachian caves, a biological discussion of who we are and where we came from, and the impact of television on our lives. All sessions meet at the Best Western Radford Inn.
Cost of the entire week is $135 for local residents. One topic is $40 and any two are $75. Call 831-5483 for more information.
A rummage and bake sale for the Senior Athletes of Montgomery County will be held Friday and Saturday April 1 and 2 at the National Guard Armory in Christiansburg. Donations are being accepted, particularly for household items and good, clean clothing. Call Catherine McKenzie at 382-3744, Janice Hixon at 382-4334 or Betty Gordon, 382-8328.
Senior Athletes is a nonprofit organization whose members compete locally and nationally in basketball, horseshoes, archery, riflery, running, walking and swimming. Fund-raising activities raise money to help pay for travel. This year, several of the two dozen athletes will compete in Williamsburg June 1-6.
Anyone 55 and over is welcome to join the Senior Athletes of Montgomery County. For membership information, call Betty Gordon at 382-8328.
The RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, 1 Franklin St., Courthouse Annex, Christiansburg; 382-5775:
The Christiansburg morning group will hold a birthday party and Valentine reception at English Meadows at 1:30 today. Feb. 23 The afternoon group will help at SHARE after lunch.
The Blacksburg group will help at SHARE after lunch out on Thursday. Feb. 24
The Shawsville group will have a meeting at 10 a.m. Monday Feb. 28 at the courthouse annex followed by lunch.
On Wednesday March 1, the Warm Hearth group will have lunch out after their 10 a.m. meeting.
The CHRISTIANSBURG SENIOR CENTER, 655 Montgomery St.; 382-8173:
Free tax assistance is available Thursday Feb. 24 between 1 and 4 p.m. Call ahead for an appointment.
A trip to the Reynolds Homestead in Critz is scheduled for Friday. The van leaves the National Guard Armory at 8:30 a.m., and transportation fee is $4.
A covered dish lunch and slide show will be held on Monday Feb. 28 starting at 11:30 a.m. at the senior center.
The GILES COUNTY SENIOR CENTER, 1320 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg; 921-3924:
Remember that swimming days are now Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday every week at10:15 a.m.
Betty Lou Letsinger will speak on Thursday Feb. 24 at 3 p.m. on the "Economics of Staying in School." Letsinger, who is active in the Girl Scouts in her Orlando community, will also talk about the Girl Scout cookie drive and the fact that it is the only means of financial support many troops have for special activities.
Line dancing will be held Monday Feb. 28 from 10 to 11 a.m.
The RADFORD SENIOR CENTER, 27 First St.; 731-3634:
The center will be closed on Friday. Feb. 25
Plan for Thursday March 10 when a class will be held to design a spring or Easter shirt. The class will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and costs $4 for materials. Bring a prewashed, 100 percent cotton shirt, and a sandwich for the lunch break.
If the warm days last weekend inspired you to do a little spring cleaning, save what you don't want for the spring rummage sale scheduled for May 10-17.
The PULASKI SENIOR CENTER, 106 N. Washington Ave.; 980-3969:
The Dine 'Round Club is going for lunch today Feb. 23 at Bonfire at the Comfort Inn in Dublin. Participants should meet at the senior center at 12:30 p.m.
The first session of the six-week series on "Disease Prevention and Health Promotion" will be held on Thursday Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. This week's topic is fire safety, and all New River Valley seniors are welcome.
Tax assistance is available on Wednesdays from 1 to 4 p.m., and appointments are required. Call 980-3969 or 980-1000 to schedule your time, and gather last year's return and materials for this year to bring with you.
Joanne Anderson is an editorial assistant in the New River Valley bureau.
Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1994
by CNB