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Briefs

By TIMES STAFF
Published September 27, 2005

Stetson offers consumer talks

Stetson University College of Law's Elder Consumer Protection Program will present free seminars for seniors about the dangers of consumer fraud. Here are the scheduled events:

Identity Theft: 9:30 a.m. Monday, Townshores Condominium Clubhouse, 3210 59th St. S, Gulfport.

Impersonation Scams: 2 p.m. Oct. 25, the Fountains, 1255 Pasadena Ave. S, St. Petersburg.

Identity Theft: 1:30 p.m. Oct. 26, Eckerd College Continuing Education Center, 4200 54th Ave. S, St. Petersburg.

Home Services Fraud: 1:30 p.m. Nov. 15, Eckerd College Continuing Education Center, 4200 54th Ave. S, St. Petersburg.

Elder Consumer Fraud, 1:30 p.m. Nov. 17, Stetson College of Law Eleazer Courtroom, 1401 61st St. S, Gulfport.

Health and Travel Fraud, 1:30 p.m. Dec. 6, Eckerd College Continuing Education Center, 4200 54th Ave. S, St. Petersburg.

Elder Consumer Fraud, 1:30 p.m. Dec. 15, Stetson College of Law Eleazer Courtroom, 1401 61st. St. S, Gulfport.

For information about these free sessions, call Stetson's Consumer Protection Program 727 562-7800, ext. 7235, or visit online at http://elder.law.stetson.edu/

Ombudsman council offers public forum

The Mid and South Pinellas Long-Term Care Ombudsman Council and Florida Silver-Haired Legislature, Area 5, will host a free public forum from 1-3 p.m. Oct 5 at the Digital Auditorium, St. Petersburg College Seminole Campus, 9200 113th St. The event will cover issues ranging from long-term care resident privacy and visitation rights to decision-making and grievance processes in long-term care settings. Speakers include state Rep. Frank Farkas, State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Brian Lee and LuAnne Reese, a local nursing home director of planning and advocacy with Bon Secours Maria Manor. Parking is free. Call 588-6912 or 595-4707.

Computer know-how

Learn how to protect your computer from hackers, viruses and spam in the SeniorNet course "Defending your Computer on the Internet." Students will learn how to use Windows XP Security Center, limit spam, download files safely and obtain and use free software to protect their computers.

Prerequisites to the course are "Introduction to Computers," "Exploring the Internet" or equivalent experience.

Classes are offered at USF's Tampa campus in the Northwest Education Complex, Room 133, 12:30-3:30 p.m. Thursdays from now to Oct. 13; the course will be offered again Oct. 20-Nov. 10.

The fee is $45 in addition to the $40 annual SeniorNet membership fee. Parking fees may apply.

To register, call 813 974-2403, option 1; or log on to www.usfseniors.org for information.

Fall classes at the Patel

Fall classes at the Patel Conservatory at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 1010 N W.C. MacInnes Place in Tampa, are under way. Here are some of the classes being offered: "Time Tapestry: Theater Lab for Seniors," "Introduction to Musical Theater," "Adult Group Voice" (audition required), "Improvisation, Adults" and "Stand-Up Comedy." For information and to register, call (813) 222-1002; or for a complete schedule, visit patelconservatory.org.

Live and learn

University of South Florida's Learning in Retirement's "Lunch and Learn" series will present "The Myths Concerning Florida Wills and Revocable Trusts" with attorney Sue Walker, 12:15 p.m. Friday at the USF's Westside Conference Center A-B (13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd). The event is sponsored by the University Village Retirement Community, which is also providing a boxed lunch at no charge. The LIR brown bag lecture series is free and open to the public. One-day parking passes are available to LIR members and guests attending this event. Call (813) 974-8036 to RSVP by Wednesday.

Volunteers needed

Gulf Coast Community Care's Adopt-A-Grandchild program will have an open house 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 7 at the Largo Library, 120 Central Park Drive. Anyone interested in learning more about the program is invited to attend. Light refreshments will be available and staff will provide a summary of the program activities. The program seeks to match adult mentors with children in need of additional adult attention. A commitment of two to four hours a week is requested of the volunteers. Orientation, training and support is provided. For information, call (727) 538-7460 and speak to Beverly at ext. 3041.

Talk about art

The Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg, presents a new series for those 55 and older called "Coffee Talk."

The talks are free with museum admission (adults $8; $7 for 65 older) or free with museum membership. The sessions are 10:30-noon the first Wednesday of the month. There will be a performance by Nan Colton, a museum tour and refreshments. Here's what planned:

Oct. 5: Elisabeth-Louise Vigee-Lebrun, Portrait Artist

Nov. 2: Art, Love and Life in the Village: Weegee's Wild New York

Dec. 7: Catherine the Great

For information, call (727) 896-2667, ext. 218.

Get in shape

A new beginning tai chi class will start Oct. 4 at the St. Petersburg branch of the International Taoist Tai Chi Society, 1833 Dr. M. L. King St. N, St. Petersburg. The class will meet 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. The first class is free and once you join you may take as many classes as you like. Special discounts for students and seniors. For information, call (727) 896-2620.

[Last modified September 26, 2005, 20:31:06]