Seniority briefs
Shake a leg with some friends

55 Alive classes scheduled
Classes meet for two days, a total of eight hours. There is no driving involved. The fee, payable to AARP, is $10 per person. Bring a check and valid driver's license to the first class. Insurance discounts may be available.

This volunteer passes along life's blessings
ST. PETERSBURG -- Sydney "Syd" Jackson is a very busy man. In 1987, he decided to become a volunteer and has volunteered ever since, now at the Social Security Administration in St. Petersburg, the Florida Trail Association and Good Samaritan Church in Pinellas Park.

Embracing best of old and new
At the beginning of the year, I look back on my sixth decade and think of where I am at this stage of life. There are distinct advantages to being 70. I wish I could remember what they are.

Add places to go to things-to-do list
I have come to believe there is a great value in lists.

She puts seniors on an ancient path to serenity
ST. PETERSBURG -- All six people on mats in the Sunshine Center stood quietly as they prepared to begin hatha yoga.

Financing long-term skilled services
Medicare coverage for inpatient skilled services in a sub-acute or long-term skilled nursing center is limited to a total of 100 days during the same period of illness. Medicare's payment for these services is also reduced by a coinsurance amount during each spell of illness equal to one-eighth of the inpatient hospital deductible for each day after the 20th day and before the 101st day.

New skill leads to new job
When retirement got a bit slow for a Clair-Mel woman, she updated her skills and jumped into a new career.

War brings memory of a Christmas visitor
At Christmas, my family gathered for our traditional get-together at the home of Daughter No. 1 in the Milwaukee area. After our holiday meal and gift opening, we plopped ourselves in front of the television set, where I saw a news report from Afghanistan that triggered the memory of a Christmas past.

With lots to do, there's still time to say 'I love you'
February is my favorite month because Valentine's Day is in it. Over-commercialization ruins Christmas for me, but somehow the bigger the box of candy on Feb. 14, the more loved I feel. It's such a -- dare I say it? -- sweet, uncomplicated holiday. As a child, I never even minded getting comic valentines; they always seemed innocent and funny. Have they disappeared in the current passion for political correctness?

She puts seniors on path to serenity
ST. PETERSBURG -- All six people on mats in the Sunshine Center stood quietly as they prepared to begin hatha yoga.

Life more active than ever for Richard Davids
NEW PORT RICHEY -- Years ago, Richard Davids played golf and tennis and sailed a bit.

Being held hostage by the phone company
It probably doesn't speak well for our social life to admit that nine times out of 10, when the phone rings, it's a sales call. Thanks to wonders of modern technology, I often pick up the phone and find there's no one there. This is "electronic dialing," a breakthrough that allows a machine to dial multiple numbers simultaneously and then disconnect instantly all but the first to pick up.

Planning together aids communication
As the first month of the new year draws to a close, perhaps we contemplate how our resolutions have held up. Of course, if you're a family caregiver -- local or long-distance -- you're probably thinking, "Resolutions -- you're kidding!"

Don't rest on your safe-driving laurels
It should come as no surprise to hear that much of the research into vehicle crashes shows older drivers are one of the safest age groups on the roads. It must be obvious that they tend to be less reckless than in their youth; beside, they usually drive fewer miles. Nevertheless, even with the high marks, there is no room for complacency.

Avoid detours on journey to health
Along with world peace, finding inner contentment and seeing more of family and friends, diet and exercise should be among the top resolutions for the year 2002, particularly since, according to U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher, the United States has an obesity epidemic; excess weight has been blamed for approximately 300,000 deaths a year.