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Something new for you?

By NANCY PARADIS
Published August 29, 2006

CALENDAR

How about polishing a skill - or learning a new one, tending to your health or embracing a new hobby? Take the time to explore the numerous opportunities offered in the Tampa Bay area and beyond. For a list of cultural and entertainment events, check out the Weekend section each Thursday in the St. Petersburg Times.

If healthy aging's on your mind, consider the following events, open to the public, at Regency Oaks, 2720 Regency Oaks Blvd., Clearwater. To register, call 727 252-0540 or toll-free 1-800-965-2588:

* "Becoming Your Own Health Advocate" Luncheon. 12:30 p.m. Sept. 7.

* Aging Well Expo, with workshops, exhibits and demonstrations, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 15.

* "Changing the Way We Age," presented by Colin Milner, founder and CEO of the International Council of Active Aging and advisor to the U.S. Administration of Aging, 2 p.m. Sept. 29.

Elsewhere in the bay area are these opportunities:

* "New Horizons Band," started at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., is designed for musicians and "would be" musicians over the age of 50. An informational meeting will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 3 at Eckerd College, Continuing Education Center, 4500 54th Ave. S, St. Petersburg. No experience necessary to join the band, but registration is required. Call Tom Santee at (727) 864-8085 or e-mail santeet@eckerd.edu.

The adult education classes offered by the public school systems, community colleges, senior centers and others can be an inexpensive (or even free) way to learn a skill and meet new friends. Call the schools and education centers, listed in the phone book, and ask about adult education or "life enrichment" classes.

Don't overlook clubs, hospitals and senior centers also offering courses. Here are a few of the schools and education centers:

* Adult & Community Education. 2222 N Tampa St., Tampa; (813) 276-5654, ext. 236. Classes in woodworking, stained glass, conversational languages, photography and computer skills are offered at 15 centers.

* University of South Florida. Under the Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver Program, Florida residents 60 and older can take credit courses without paying tuition, in most cases, at USF's Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota and Lakeland campuses. Call (813) 974-2000 in Tampa; (941) 359-4200 in Sarasota; (863) 667-7026 in Lakeland; and (727) 553-4142 in St. Petersburg. For USF's Osher Lifelong Learning program, call (813) 974-5263 in Tampa.

* The USF Rath Senior CoNEXTions and Education Center in Bartow provides resources, referrals to services and classes for seniors. Call (863) 533-5925.

* St. Petersburg College. SPC's 10 learning sites throughout Pinellas County offer noncredit courses through its lifelong learning program in a variety of subjects, from foreign languages and golf to basic computer skills and how to buy and sell on eBay. Florida residents 60 and older can take credit courses for free on a space-available basis. Call (727) 341-3184 (for lifelong learning) or (727) 341-4772 (for credit courses); www.spcollege.edu.

* Pasco-Hernando Community College. Main campus, 10230 Ridge Road, New Port Richey, (727) 816-3259; campuses also in Dade City and Brooksville; www.pasco-hernandocc.com.

* Central Florida Community College Citrus County Campus, 3800 S Lecanto Highway, Lecanto; (352) 746-6721, ext. 6110; www.gocfcc.com.

* Eckerd College, 4200 54th Ave. S, St. Petersburg. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) offers a variety of "life enrichment" experiences: trips, lectures and classes in St. Petersburg, Palm Harbor and Largo. Call for fees and class schedules; discounts are available for OLLI members. A membership is $59 a year. Call (727) 864-7600; www.eckerd.edu/olli. The college also has an onsite Elderhostel program. Call (727) 864-8444; www.eckerd.edu/elderhostel.

Send events for possible inclusion to Calendar, c/o Seniority, the St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731-1121, or e-mail nparadis@sptimes.com.

[Last modified August 28, 2006, 19:33:28]