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Published Tuesday, August 05, 2008 in Close-Up

Senior Living Events

AARP Safe Driving Course set

The AARP will have a Safe Driving Course Aug. 12-13 at the Toyota of Newnan Training Room, 2 Herring Rd., from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. The instructor is Roger Echols.

For more information, or to register, call 770-927-1693.

Senior centers have activities

The Tommy Thompson Senior Center, located on Hospital Road in Newnan, has daily activities. This week's programs are:

* Aug. 5, Shopping, Bingo, and nail boutique.

* Aug. 6, No-sew fleece blanket class.

* Aug. 7, Floral arrangement class, $5.

* Aug. 8, Red hat meeting, Bingo.

The Welcome Community Activity Center, located at 1792 Welcome Rd., in Newnan, is announcing programs. There will be a covered dish luncheon on Tuesday Aug. 12, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., and everyone is invited to attend. Additional activities are also planned for the center:

* Aug. 19, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bingo/Board Games

* Aug. 26, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Arts & Crafts

For more information on the Welcome Community senior programs, call 770-252-6429.

The East Coweta Senior Center, located at 300 Howard Rd. in Senoia, has meetings on Wednesdays. Programs for the month of August are:

* Aug. 6, 11:30 a.m. -1 p.m. Luncheon/August Birthdays (Bring a covered dish) The program is a 50's Sock Hop (Costume & Dance Contest).

* Aug. 13, 1-3 p.m. Arts & Crafts/Card Making/Cribbage/Bridge.

* Aug. 20, 1-3 p.m. Bingo/Cribbage/Bridge.

* Aug. 27, 1-3 p.m. Beading/Cribbage/Bridge/Blood Pressure Check.

For more information on the East Coweta senior programs, please call 770-252-6429.

The Panther Creek Senior Center, located at 2285 W. Hwy. 16 in Sargent (next to the Fire Dept.), has meetings on Wednesdays. Programs for the month of August are:

* Aug. 6, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Bingo/Board Games/Knitting/Crochet/Blood Pressure Check w/Central Home Health Care.

* Aug. 13, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Card Making/Knitting/Crochet/Quilting.

* Aug. 20, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Luncheon/August Birthday's (Bring a covered dish) Projects: Beading/Crochet/Knitting/Quilting.

* Aug. 27, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Arts & Crafts/Knitting/Crochet.

For more information on the Panther Creek senior programs, please call 770-252-6429.

Senior Farmers' Market program begins

The Georgia Department of Human Resources Division of Aging Services (DAS) has received approximately $250,000 in federal funds from the United States Department of Agriculture for this year's Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). The Farmers' Market Program will run from Aug. 11 to Sept. 30. The program will serve approximately 11,000 low-income Georgians who are 60 years and older. Each registered participant will receive five $4 vouchers for a total of $20 to buy Georgia-grown fruits and vegetables at approved farmer's markets certified by the Georgia WIC Farmers' Market Program.

"Many older Georgians have difficulties affording fresh fruits and vegetables," said DAS Director Maria Greene. "The Senior Farmer's Market goal is to improve access and increase consumption of fruits and vegetables among our older population by providing them with vouchers to shop at participating Georgia farmer's markets."

"Colorful fruits and vegetables provide a wide range of vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients that are important to maintaining good health," said DAS Chief Nutritionist and Wellness Program Director Sudha Reddy. "Diets rich in fruits and vegetables may also protect against the effects of aging and help reduce the risk of some types of cancer and other chronic diseases."

SFMNP provides nutrition education information to program participants on the health benefits of consuming fruits and vegetables, healthy meal plans, recipes, cooking, freezing and canning demonstrations.

DAS is partnering with the Division of Public Health, Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers, local health departments, and the University of Georgia Extension Service to administer the program.

Georgia produce growers wishing to participate in the SFMNP program should call their local health department or Georgia WIC program at 1-888-814-5468. For eligibility and program information, older adults should call their local Area Agency on Aging directly or the statewide toll-free number for Aging at 1-866-552-4464 and press 1.